About Us	Search	Advertising

	Brought to you by:

MOST kids get into trouble when they play the fool and generally they grow out of it, eventually. But for Gary Naidoo of Zeekoevlei it was just as well he didn't, because it's with that mischievous and playful nature that he has begun to build a successful career.

Even if you don't recognise the name you are bound to know that familiar, cheeky smile.

He has graced the country's stages in such productions as Oscar Petersen's Broekies and Plaatjies, and David Kramer's highly acclaimed musical Ghoema, and can currently be found strutting his stuff wearing afro wigs and dreadlocks in Mike McCullagh's retro musical That 80's Show, on at the V&A Waterfront's Theatre @ The Pavilion.

Though he always loved entertaining his classmates and was known as the class clown, Gary only realised later on that he wanted to get into entertainment.

"When I left school I began to study architecture until one day I realised what it was I actually wanted to do," says Gary.

After changing his majors, Gary went on to graduate from UCT's School of Drama but soon realised it wasn't going to be easy to break into the industry.

"I ended up doing a lot of small jobs," says Gary. "I even stood on street corners handing out pamphlets."

His goal originally was always to break into television but it was the theatre that would get him first.

"Television and theatre each have their pros and cons," says Gary. "Television is definitely more consistent but theatre is always different and always exciting."

Once Gary made his break into theatre he immediately began to impress and has built up an impressive list of credentials, including having worked with a host of highly respected directors and writers including Michael Williams, Oscar Petersen, David Kramer and Taliep Petersen.

Earlier this year Gary had audiences in stitches playing one half of the rap, hip-hop duo, 'Hot 'n Tot', in Ghoema at the Baxter. The show not only showcased his vocal ability and talent as a comic performer but also gave the audience a look at his dramatic ability as well.

"I still definitely prefer comedy though," says Gary. "I believe when you have a talent for something you should use it. We all love to laugh and be entertained.""

This flair for comedy has also opened doors for Gary in the television world. Each Wednesday evening he can be seen harassing members of the public as part of the "sucker squad" on MNet's Laugh out Loud.

"The whole experience has been fantastic," says Gary with great enthusiasm, "and its helps when you work with a good group of people around you."

"Of course when you are out there pranking people there is a certain amount of trouble that can follow," he adds. "You start to understand what Leon Schuster went through."

The way things are going for Gary, though, it probably won't be long before he, like Leon, starts to find it harder to fool people as they begin to recognise this star on the horizon.

Gary has even become a well known figure in parts of Scotland where he is known fondly as Raul thanks to work he did in some very funny, and somewhat "cheeky", adverts.

"To get far in this business it's all about moving in all the right circles," concludes Gary, "but more importantly you simply have to be good at what you do."

So where to from here?

Well, Gary has many things in the pipeline including some possible sitcoms, a new production with Oscar Petersen and he also has plans to open a brand new restaurant in the Grassy Park area.

For your chance to see Gary live in action join him in celebrating a decade of international hits in That 80s Show, on at Theatre @ The Pavilion until Saturday, 25 November. The fun starts at 20:00 and tickets cost R95 each.

Phone 419-7661 to book or e-mail: lindsay@thepavilion.co.za.

	Back to top
©