Theatre: Laughs from the past

Eugene Yiga chats to Alan Committie about reprising his role in "Defending the Caveman"

Eugene Yiga: What's the show about?

Alan Committie: It explores the ''battle of the sexes" by putting a case against the instinctive behaviour of cavemen and trying to understand why they acted the way they did. The show illustrates how our modern behaviour is similar and highlights the many hilarious comic differences between the genders.

EY: Why do you think it's so successful?

AC: Because everyone can relate to the struggles and pleasures of a relationship.

When you're in the audience, you realise that you're not alone in your experience. Around you, hundreds of other couples are laughing and relating to the same situations.

EY: After taking over from Tim Plewman, you've performed the show more than 850 times. How do you keep it fresh?

AC: I make regular updates and additions to the dialogue. Mostly it's the audience itself that keeps the show fresh. It is energising to perform for people who are visibly responding to the text: ribbing each other, laughing and poking one another and getting involved.

• "Defending the Caveman" is at Cape Town's Theatre on the Bay until May 31 and at Pieter Toerien's Main Theatre at Montecasino from June 4 to July 6. Book at Computicket