In Conversation With Bitter Winter's André Odendaal

Paul Slabolepszy’s new play Bitter Winter

Director Lesedi Job and cast members André Odendaal (playing Jean-Louis Lourens), Oarabile Ditsele (playing Prosper Mangane) and Chantal Stanfield (playing Felicia Willemse) are delving deep into the roles, finding all the nuances and back-stories of this character-driven piece that speaks to the human condition and tells the tale of a story of resilience and discovery.

Bitter Winter offers a heartfelt exploration of the artist’s life. It celebrates the legends of South African theatre while shining a light on the new generation of rising stars making their mark on the global stage. This tender tale takes audiences along the winding, sometimes rocky road that many artists feel compelled to travel in pursuit of their dreams.

While the characters sit in an audition room, audiences are taken through the struggles and triumphs of actors who remain deeply committed to their craft despite the challenges they face. It tells the story of two actors, one at the end of a career spent mainly on the classical stage, and another starting out on his journey, the magic and the madness of this ‘make-believe’ world is on full display.

André Odendaal (plays Jean-Louis Lourens) took time out for a Q&A to give us some behind-the-scenes insight into Bitter Winter.

What attracted you to being part of Bitter Winter?
Paul approached me over 2 years ago telling me about Bitter Winter and asked me to play the part ..a great honour ..apart from being a play by Paul I have always been game for new South African work. These opportunities are rare and always special.

An authentic voice and a remarkable challenge.

Have any of you worked on a Paul Slab play before?
I directed The Return of Elvis du Pisanie with Lionel Newton for the Market Theatre a few years ago

How have you prepared for your character?
Preparation for any character always starts by finding relatable qualities first… do I understand the character’s emotional world, what are the points of connection either to my own life or a life I have observed? Then one finds a physical and vocal quality.
In this instance, it is an older actor’s so that commonality was easy to find albeit a very different mind space to my own

How important is it to you to be part of a brand-new play, creating characters from scratch?
I feel that pioneering any new work is always special. Especially if the work is SAYING something that could shift people’s perception on a specific subject.

What are you wanting the audiences to take away from this show?
Let us hope that the audience takes home not only a better understanding of the plight of an artist, the commitment but also a joy of watching live theatre. A realisation that art feeds the soul.

Paul Slabolepszy’s Bitter Winter is on stage at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre until 16 March 2025.

Patrons are advised that the language mix in the show will be approx. 75% English, 25% Afrikaans.

Show Information:
Bitter Winter

Johannesburg

Venue:
Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

Dates:
20 February – 16 March 2025

Times:
Wednesday to Friday at 19h30
Saturday at 15h00 and 19h30
Sunday at 15h00

Tickets:
From R150 – R220 via Webtickets or the Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1988
and selected Pick ‘n Pay stores

Duration:
Approx. 80 minutes with no interval

Age restriction:
PG

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