(full texts of reviews are found in the Archives)
RECENT INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL REVIEWS
Reviews of Adapt or Fly in Johannesburg — April 2012
Uys may be 30 years older than when he opened 'Adapt or Dye', but his material is as fresh today as it was then. The players may have changed, but the game has not.
– Gayle Edmunds, City Press, 15 April 2012
Uys still has us rolling on the floor after 30 years. There's enough to keep you laughing at (his) unique brand of satire, to keep you moved, hooked and at times, in awe too.
– Atja Salaframnca, The Sunday Independent, 15 April 2012
Watching 'Adapt or Fly' means never knowing for sure what will come your way. It
might be a political comment you disagree with, or a funny joke that not everyone
appreciates. But overall this is a necessary show that -
– Sibisiso Mkwanazi, The Citizen, 16 April 2012
'Adapt or Fly' is a humorous journey into the sometimes dark alley of South Africa's political journey, from apartheid right through to the present. I would recommend the show to anyone who is even mildly interested in the politics and the politicians of South Africa. 'Adapt or Fly' is not for the fainthearted though, nor is it for those who have no sense of humour.
– Edward Tsumele, The Sowetan, 11 April 2012
'Adapt or Fly' besit gelukkig menslikheid, maar wel een met 'n rapier se lem. Uys (is) geniaal en dalk profeties. Ironie bly sy sterkste wapen.
– Paul Boekkooi, Beeld, 12 April 2012
Dotted with moments of shuddering truth.
– Christine Kennedy, Business Day, 10 April 2012
Uys is a brilliant political and social satirist. South Africa still needs this voice
of dissent, his ability to highlight inequity, inept politicians and ill-
– Lesley Stones, Daily Maverick, 11 April 2012
In a rapidly-
– Peter Feldman, Artslink, 4 April 2012
**** It’s because of his wit, his eye on the SA politics ball and his faith in this country, that he’s a necessary voice and social commentator to this day. He stresses towards the end that “Freedoms are still a reality, but they can so easily be replaced by laws that pretend to protect.” It’s weighty issues balanced by the entertaining and gripping humour that only Pieter Dirk Uys can deliver. And he’s very optimistic and positive about the future of this country.
– Kgomotsho Moncho, The Post, 17 April 2012
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Reviews of Adapt or Fly in Durban — March 2012
***** Adapt or Fly is an enlightening, thought-
– Latoya Newman, Tonight, 13 March 2012
Adapt or Fly is without question one of Uys’s best shows, don’t miss it.
– Estelle Sinkins, The Witness, 14 March 2012
Uys’s usual mix of clever impersonations and brilliant repartee — often sailing fearlessly close to the wind. Uys loves his country with a passion and has done more to educate in the complexities of the country's politics than any television or newspaper coverage.
– Caroline Smart, artSMart, 8 March 2012
The barbs are biting, the puns politically incorrect, the satire scathing and wit intact. It's funny stuff.
– C. Roopnarain, Sunday Tribune, 11 March 2012
Marvelous master of wit!
– Billy Suter, The Mercury, 9 March 2012
Current, incisive and delivered with a razor-
– Shelley Seid, Sunday Times, 1 April, 2012
Viva Uys! Politicians may come and go, but he will endure forever.
– Gisele Turner, Going Places, 8 March 2012
Uys remains ever relevant. Adapt or Fly reminds those of us who were around at the time and serves to shine a light into a dark past for those who were born into democracy. Lest we forget.
– Brian Roodt, artSMart, 11 March 2012
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Review of Adapt or Fly in Grahamstown — February 2012
One of Uys’s most ominous and hilarious works.
– Mike Loewe, Algoa FM News, 16 February 2012
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Reviews of Desperate First Ladies in Cape Town — September 2011
Uyslike bydrae tot landsake .... Met ’n fladder van ’n vals wimper kan Uys sweerlik ’n diktator koudsit.
– Laetitia Pople, Die Burger, 9 September 2011
Desperate First Ladies is a hilarious tour de force ... Not to be missed!
– Greg Landman, City Press, 18 September 2011
Uys is still a much-
– Tyrone August, Cape Times, 12 September 2011
PDU shows top form in 'Desperate First Ladies'
– Peter Tromp, The Next 48 Hours, 23 September 2011
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Review of Adapt or Dye in Johannesburg — July 2011
Seeing a 30-
Almost unbelievably, considering it was so rooted in 1980s National Party politics,
the show is as fresh and funny and sharp and clever as ever. Friday night’s audience,
including several people who weren’t even born in 1981, were in stitches throughout.
This is because the new-
Uys continues speaking truth to power, in a manner that is crisp and cuts to the funny bone.
– Christina Kennedy, Business Day, 2 August 2011
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Review of Desperate First Ladies in Grahamstown — March 2011
Uys’ irreverence knows no bounds ... [he] takes on all of the sacred cows, while very seriously challenging our democracy, and all politicians within it to uphold it.
– Mike Loewe, Makana Moon, 30 March 2011
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Reviews of F.A.K. Songs and Other Struggle Anthems in Cape Town — September 2010
Uys, a consummate showman, understands completely the language of the theatre, threading
a bit of Bambi's personal history with political and social commentary and much mad
wit and pathos. ... FAK Songs and Other Struggle Anthems is a cabaret in the true
sense of the word and a production that restores this much-
– Marianne Thamm, Sunday Times, 12 September 2010
Dit is alles en nog meer as wat 'n kabaret behoort te bied.
– Mariana Malan, Die Burger, 3 September 2010
Pieter-
Bambi is a gift from Pieter-
– Astrid Stark, Cape Times, 13 September 2010
Pieter-
– Fiona Gordon, artslink.co.za, 15 September 2010
A sublime marriage of musicianship, characterization and textured showmanship.
– Peter Tromp, The Next 48 Hours, 10 September 2010
Bambi's music is sophisticated and clever. She sings in three languages: English,
Afrikaans and German. The combination of FAK songs, twisted to up-
– Daphne Cooper, bizcommunity.com, 3 September 2010
As usual Uys is spot on ... and goodness knows he still has the legs to be wearing high heels.
– Theresa Smith, Cape Argus, 7 September 2010
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Reviews of Desperate First Ladies in Johannesburg — August 2010
Uys’s name is synonymous with surprise and even with shock, for he is a celebration of contradictions: hilarious and malign, polite and lewd, generous and caustic. But the most sensational of all his contradictions is that he has bamboozled us into accepting and keeping faith with Evita Bezuidenhout, the she who is a he, the amazingly actual star who has a complete life of her own.
– Mary Jordan, Business Day, 10 August 2010
Uys has crafted a unique and powerful position that he is still using wisely to be the conscience of the country without fear of repercussion.
His new show Desperate First Ladies instantly proves Uys hasn't lost his edge and we haven't lost the need for him as he launches into an entertaining attack on efforts to curb the freedom of the press. It begins with Uys as himself, and it's a pleasure to hear him give his own views in his own persona. He's sharp and witty, and somehow more caustic and direct without the softening feminine accoutrements. ... An undiplomatic diplomat who points out political and social ills, spreads the message about Aids awareness, and highlights the evil of men abusing women.
It's sad that South Africa still needs Evita — but it's a very good job we still have her.
– Lesley Stones, Artslink, 8 August 2010
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Reviews of Elections & Erections in Los Angeles — October 2009
"Elections" is part confessional, part drag satire and all politics .... Uys' message — that the health of a country depends on citizens leading their politicians and not the other way around — resonated powerfully.
– Charlotte Stoudt, Los Angeles Times, 6 October 2009
Elections & Erections has a wondrous blend of political cynicism and optimism, derived from a love of life that gives this show its energy.
– Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly, 5 October 2009