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SOUTH AFRICA'S theatre industry is booming at the moment but, even with more opportunities arising for local actors, the industry is still a tough one to crack.

Artists have to work extra hard to stand out from the crowd, and of course it helps when the performer already has star quality.

One such performer is Camp's Bay resident Anton Luitingh, who clearly has the "X factor" when it comes to lighting up a stage.

In person his confidence and energy is evident from the first moment and it is easy to see why, at just 31 years old, he is already living a theatre actor's dream.

As a young boy, Anton had already begun to play around with music, going so far as to teach himself to play the piano.

Though all signs were pointed to a life practising law, a teacher at Rondebosch High School saw Anton's potential and it wasn?t long before the "bug bit".

"My father was pretty gobsmacked when I told him I had decided to drop law to study drama," says Anton.

"He is a lawyer and I guess he had a vision of 'Luitingh and Son' or something. But, although he may have been shocked at first, he has always fully supported me."

Anton attended the University of Stellenbosch where he won several awards and, in 1998, obtained his BDram (Hons) degree, cum laude.

After University Anton teamed up with fellow graduate, Jenny Stead and created a show called SiMAN and GIRLfunkel ? a quirky look at the life and works of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

"We chose them not only because of their great songs," says Anton, "but also because of their friendship."

"Jenny and I have a stormy working relationship but a fantastic friendship, much like Simon and Garfunkel," he explains.

"We all know that sometimes when you work with a friend or family member it can go wrong but, when it works, it's phenomenal. Jenny is so talented and with us it just works." From there Anton's career began to flourish, with lead roles in productions such as Rocky Horror Picture Show and Grease, but his real big break came when he auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS.

Anton was cast in the international touring company of CATS with a principal role, playing the part of the narrating silver tabby, Munkustrap.

"I still cannot believe how lucky I was," says Anton. "I was able to travel around the world, stay in five-star hotels for free, meet fantastic people and still get paid to do something I love.

"In some countries, like Korea, we were treated like rock stars," he laughs. "The women were actually pulling at their hair and screaming and we were showered with flowers at the end of each show."

Since then Anton's portfolio can be described as no less than impressive, including roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a European tour of Oscar Hammerstein's Showboat and Jesus Christ Superstar, in which he played Pontius Pilate, to name but a few.

Add to this the extremely successful, long running "anti-tribute show" Offbeat Broadway, in which Anton not only performs but is the co-writer and musical director, and you can see why he has a lot to smile about.

Now Anton returns to the stage with long-time friend Jenny Stead, in a re-work of SiMAN and GIRLfunkel called Old Friends, directed by Quanita Adams.

"Both Jenny and I have just come out of quite serious, emotional roles and we feel we need to do something fun and without pressure," says Anton. "This is Quanita's directorial debut and she has been fantastic. A real actor's director."

"We have re-worked the songs to make them a little more funky, to appeal to our generation," he continues, "while still pleasing the diehard Simon and Garfunkel fans."

The show is both humourous and touching, with a script of amusing anecdotes, an hilarious look at what it would be like if today's popstars got hold of Simon and Garfunkel songs, and a beautiful adaptation of Mrs Robinson that will have you moved to tears.

Catch Anton and Jenny in Old Friends, showing at On Broadway until 3 February from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Tickets cost R85 each. The show starts promptly at 20:30 and dinner is served from 18:30. For bookings please phone (021) 424-1194/5.

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