The thorn among the roses in a new theatre and dining experience at Mavericks Revue Bar, Charles Tertiens, says there’s more to the venue’s newest show, Celebrity Skin, as it’s not what people will usually associate with the venue.
“Everyone has this stigma about Mavericks, and we are trying to break it. You can put on fantastic performances in venue like this. There’s lekker food here also.”
Celebrity Skin is a dance and theatrical dining experience, directed and choreographed by Grant van Ster and Shaun Oelf, and tells a story of a backstage janitor, who’s quest for love transports him on a journey through cabaret, dance and theatre. As the seasons unfold, he begins to craft a doll from the personalities who grace his stage.
Tertiens, an actor, voice-over artist and comedic magician, plays the janitor. “I’m the guy between all the women. Some call it lucky...” he joked.
“We needed a guy that’s no threat to these women; that’s going to be a lonely guy. ‘Oh Charles! Hey! Come - you’ll be this character - just be yourself!’ (they said). And here we are.”
Tertiens, who is from Bellville, said he was basically born into the industry with his father being active in the arts.
He started performing at primary school, and attended the College of Magic, exploring his interest in magic.
After school, he studied personnel management, but his father had a different plan for him. He enrolled into UCT and graduated as a bilingual performer in the musical stream.
"My father was the driving force pushing me.“
Tertiens went on to perform in top drama series’ in South Africa, including Interrogation Room, Montana and 7de Laan, and has also starred in international films.
He said he also conceptualised magic and clowning for international films for actors.
“I specialise in physical theatre, and this is physical theatre. When I came here, I thought I’m going to do some magic and MC in a concert. This isn’t a concert.
He said the show is one that could be in any theatre. “We are using a venue that was not created for theatre and introducing theatre.”
One of the challenges Tertiens had was getting himself into shape to perform with the dancers. “I’m old - I’m no spring chicken.
“The show is amazing and the dancers are insane.”
There are six dancers, five of whom do solo acts during the show.
He said all productions have challenges and its how the team works through it. “This is not a performance where you get a script and learn the lines, its a lot of work-shopping and experimenting.”
Celebrity Skin runs from Wednesdays to Fridays from 7pm to 9pm until Friday November 29 at Mavericks Revue Bar. Entry is for over 18s. Ticket prices range from R300 to R600 through Quicket.