Soulful Santa Gamka strikes a passionate chord at the Baxter

Minnaar, who also produces the play, adapted the text from Eben Venter's novel of the same name, which received the Kanna award for best debut work, the Herrie Prize for best ground-breaking work and for best director, at the 2015 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, and also received three KykNet Fiestas nominations (winners to be announced in February) for best solo performance, best newly created Afrikaans production and best director.

The author, Eben Venter, lived in Prince Albert in the Great Karoo for a long time. After lunch he would watch the high school boys walk down the street, confident in their long grey trousers and neatly ironed clean white shirts. Strutting like young businessmen well on their way in life - and yet after matric they drop out with no money and no opportunities.

'Accidentally' becomes a rent boy

Santa Gamka tells the story of a young coloured man from the Karoo, who navigates his way through life in a rather unusual way. Driven by his fear not to fall back into poverty - an environment he knows all too well - he decides to use the freedom of the New South Africa to his benefit. In so doing, he chooses money over education, even though he has a gift for language and a keen interest in literature. Somehow, he 'accidentally' becomes a rent boy.

Lucky tells the story of his seven greatest adventures - better known as his seven customers - a woman who lost her son in a car accident, the mistress of the local hotel owner and olive farmer, his high school English teacher, the municipal manager, the farmer and employer of his father, who continues to oppress Lucky's parents, his aunt and a young German guy.

However, his white lies start catching up with him and he finds himself in the furnace of hell and suddenly the Karoo has become too hot for him. His time is up. He only has seven minutes left to live and he is now faced with the dilemma of having to review his short life.

In recent years Minnaar, who has adapted the text and also produces the play, was seen in productions such as Blood Brothers, Balbesit and Die Kortstondige Raklewe van Anastasia W. Director Bouwer has received critical acclaim for his productions, which include Samsa-masjien and Rooiland - both which were performed at the Baxter - as well as other successes Balbesit and na-aap.

The acoustic soundtrack for the production was specially created by the Namaqualand artist, Ulrich 'Namasun' Roberts, using inherent indigenous instruments, transporting the audience to the magical and sometimes unforgiving landscape of the Karoo.

There is an restriction of 16 years due to nudity, language and prejudice, and the play is performed in Afrikaans.

Santa Gamka is on at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio until 19 February, at 8.15pm daily. Booking is through Computicket on 0861 900 800, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For charities, fundraisers, corporate or block bookings contact Sharon Ward on +27 (0)21 680 3962 or email az.ca.tcu@draw.norahs