Actor (and comedian) Glen Biderman Pam joins the cast of Bad Jews for the premiere of this play in South Africa, at the Fugard Theatre. He talks about the production.
Please tell us what Bad Jews is all about?
The play tells a story of two cousins who go head to head over their recently deceased grand-father’s heirloom. My character and his fiercely religious cousin Daphna Feygenbaum wage warfare on each other as they try to reason with each other, who is entitled to this coveted item. Liam’s poor girlfriend Melody has no idea what she is in for when she steps into the apartment and his younger brother Jonah finds himself stuck in the middle of this tornado. The play deals with universal themes such as faith, remembrance, family and tradition.
And what is your character like in the production?
I play Liam Haber who considers himself an academic and has distanced himself somewhat from his cultural traditions. He has completed his masters at the University of Chicago in Contemporary Japanese Youth Culture. He is madly in love with his non-Jewish girlfriend who is there to support him as he mourns the loss of his grandfather.
Why do you think South African audiences are going to relate to this?
South Africans will love this because it is a comedy about family. We all have family in one way or another and the themes are relatable to everyone. It is a gem of a play – Josh Harmon, the writer, has captured the nuances of family feud to the tee.
Is it true that you once took a part in the Discovery Channel’s sharkfest 12 Days of Terror, when you were very young? Must have been fun ...
Yes, I was a child star. It lasted a month, but I was a child star nonetheless.
And what have been some theatre highlights for you, since graduating from UCT?
I really enjoyed Somewhere on the Border(a play about a group of white conscripted SADF soldiers during the apartheid years). It is just such a poignant play and I had so much fun doing it. I think not enough people know about the other victims of the apartheid government and their military regime.
Subsequently to that I was in an absolutely off-the-wall play called Amateur Hour which did very well in South Africa and internationally. Among other characters, I played a sadistic magician/clown who had failed as an actor. Was the writer trying to tell me something? I don’t know.
Apart from taking dramatic roles, you’re also a comedian. Tell us more about this?
Yes, I’ve been doing stand-up for about three-and-a-half years. I love it. It is the most horrifically scary thing in the world but at the same time I can’t get enough of it. Watch out for Four Young Whites featuring myself, Shalk Bezuidenhout, Oliver Booth (who is also in Bad Jews) and Bradford Keen, on December 7 at the Assembly in Cape Town. We’ll knock your socks off!
This may be a strange question, but are you in any way related to the actor/playwright/ visual artist Sue Pam-Grant?
Yes, she is my auntie. She is the reason I am in show business. She is my mentor and I love her very much.
What was the last live show you saw, and how did you find it?
Mass Hysteria, featuring all the best comedians in the country. I thought it was great. One day I will be in that show, Karen. Mark my words.
What do you like to do to relax?
I am never relaxed, Karen. I am Jewish!!!!
l Bad Jews is at the Fugard Theatre from October 27 to November 27, 0861 915 8000.