By the time I arrive at the coffee
shop in Fourways, Johannesburg,
it's obvious AI Prodgers has been there for a while already. He is scratching through his papers, but fortunately
has not ordered yet. We're here to talk to him, because he recently released
his one man stand-up comedy DVD, but we are also interested in getting an
inside look into the life of a man who has been in an around South
African television for the past 20
years.
The role, which made him a household
name in South Africa
was definitely that of the flamboyant designer, Maxim on Generations, and
it's to this role that we turn to first. "As a character he was totally
over the top, 'outrageously camp and Bird Cage gay,': says AI with a
clear fondness for the character he played for almost six years, "Initially
I was only supposed to be in two or three episodes; but people loved him, and I
kept getting called back, he adds. As designer to the matriarch of South
Africa's most popular soapie Queen, Maxim is a character who is still heard of
in the background, though now only as a voice on the other end of a telephone line.
"The character is still around, still alive. I just think the writers have
just gone a different direction, away from him, but he's there. Maybe one day
Maxim will be back? I don't know. I hope so," AI says, before launching
into a hilarious semi-rant against a “character he hopes he will never have to
play again.”
'Mr Patch-It' the arts and craft
clown on Kideo, is arguably one of AI's most lovable roles, but it's now
something he looks back on as a dirty, little secret'. "We worked so hard
on that show. People don't realise it, but money was really tight and we were
shooting up to five episodes a day," he says, before describing how he was
actually useless with, his hands. "I had to make things four or five times
before they would work, and as such was probably the only character who
couldn't film with an audience of children. They just didn't have the patience
for hundreds of takes," he laughs. "In the end I couldn't take the
workload or the character. I've always imagined that Mr Patch-It died after
walking into traffic, while using his toilet roll binoculars," he adds
with a wicked giggle.
And AI is funny, hilariously so. His
descriptions of his life as a South African actor are all laugh out loud funny,
and it's that sense of humour, which no doubt explains why he has appeared in
numerous South African sitcoms, from Suburban Bliss with Patrick
Maynhardt, to Going Up with Joe Mafela, not forgetting his lead role in
the short-lived Joburg Blues. "Joburg Blues was actually so good.
It's something I am really proud of. It was a multi-racial comedy, made when it
was still early days for that sort of thing, but it didn't rely on the race
issues to get laughs. It's such a pity that it seems to have completely sunk
without a trace," he reminisces.
Despite his long history on
television, and the subsequent fame that has come from it, AI is not someone
who has ever let that celebrity status go to his head. He seems constantly
amazed and delighted with the attention he has received. "South Africans
are genuinely the warmest, nicest people. I have literally never had anything
other than positive experiences with my audience. I have never understood why
some actors complain about having people chat to them. To me it's always such a
privilege when someone wants to talk to me about my work," he says, his
expression serious for the first time in ages. It's not like there haven't been
times when the fame has seemed a little odd to him though, but even then he describes
the incidents with such warmth, that there is little doubt he genuinely does
love to be approached.
"I remember I appeared as a serial
killer on Isidingo over one Christmas, and while the episodes were being
screened, my wife and I were away in Port Alfred staying on a farm. One day we
went into 'town to get rolls. I was bent over examining them, when my wife
suddenly tapped me on my shoulder and whispered 'turn around'. So I did and
there behind me was a crowd of people with their cell phones out, taking my
picture. It was so bizarre and so wonderful. You realise the power of TV then,"
he says with yet another laugh.
The hour I am with AI, passes
swiftly. He is an immaculate story teller, a smart man, and a very funny
person. A combination which has also guaranteed him a position as one of our
best stand-up comedians. We shake hands and are still talking as we enter the
parking lot. Warm, genuine and entertaining, it's no wonder AI is one of this
countries favourite people.
