I'm pinching myself: Rob van Vuuren on starring with Embeth Davidtz in ‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’

Sara-Jayne Makwala King talks showbiz with actor and comedian Rob van Vuuren on Weekend Breakfast.

Actor and comedian Rob van Vuuren has had a busy time - three of the movies he stars in are on circuit at the moment, and he's taking his `Namaste Bae’ stage show to the Hilton Arts Festival in KwaZulu-Natal this month.

Sara-Jayne catches up with the multi-talented performer, who says humbly it's not that he's been inundated with work, it's just that three of his film projects happened to get to our screens at the same time.

However, talking about the forest 'break' in Nature's Valley that he recently returned from, van Vuuren has to acknowledge that he did spend some of that time working.

"I WAS writing, but it was just an opportunity to be in a beautiful spot and focus on one or two things as opposed to seven things at the same time!"

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

You can catch van Vuuren in three films right now - 'Don’t Let’s Go to the DogsTonight', 'Black Burns Fast' and 'Jungle Beat 2'.

‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’ is making waves at international film festivals - the adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of growing up in then-Rhodesa is written and directed by South African-American actress Embeth Davidtz, who also stars in the movie.

Van Vuuren says he's still pinching himself about landing the role portraying the husband of Davidtz's character.

It all came about after a business partner of executive producer Anele Mdoda messaged him 'out of the blue' one night to invite him to meet the Hollywood actress.

"I was first of all just blown away that I'd get to be in the same room as her to get to talk about this project... I listened frantically to some of the audio chapters of the book on my way into town to try and get a sense of source material. I was obviously nervous out of my mind meeting her, but she made me feel so relaxed and was so articulate about the project."

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

Once he got a chance to read the screenplay, he appreciated how 'phenomenal' it was.

"I knew exactly what she was trying to do and it was just like 'I have to be part of this project'. I was lucky enough to read for the part... and then I got it. I still can't quite believe it - I've watched the film twice now and it's like an out-of-body experience."

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

It's difficult for actors to watch themselves up on screen as it comes with a lot of self-criticism, van Vuuren says, but with this project he was completely transported.

"I was taken away and then I had this moment of 'wow, I'm in it and it's really, really good'. This is like a classic piece of cinema that I'm lucky enough to be in - what a privilege to be part of this beautiful story so well told."

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

On his ability to successfully straddle the worlds of comedy and drama, van Vuuren says the foundation is his passion for performing and story telling.

He is open to whatever form that story telling takes.

"It's only recently that I've gotten more opportunities to do more dramatic roles and it's been such a gift. I appreciate every role no matter what genre it's in with a sense of the tragedy and the comedy inherent in any story."

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

If you're in KZN this month, you can catch 'Namaste Bae' at the Hilton Arts Festival in Pietmaritzburg from 8-10 August.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the in-depth interview with van Vuuren

On his ability to successfully straddle comedy and drama, van Vuuren says the foundation is his love for performing and story telling.

He's gratified that he's managed to land 'darker' roles after first making a name as a comedian. (Remember Corne & Twakkie?!)

"It's only recently as I've gotten more opportunity to do more dramatic roles on screen. It's been such a gift. I appreciate every role no matter what genre it's in, with a sense of the tragedy and the comedy inherent in any story."

Rob van Vuuren, Actor and comedian

If you're in KZN this month, you can catch 'Namaste Bae' at the Hilton Arts Festival in Pietermaritzburg from 8-10 August.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the in-depth interview with van Vuuren