A very big fruit cake in 1998.
That was the last time Pansy got lucky in a competition: she correctly guessed the weight of a fruitcake at a local fete. She also won a cake in a lucky draw when she was in grade one. The whole school was entered into the draw. It was a special cake, with clowns made out of icing. The win was such a grand occasion that her older brother even let her sit in the front seat on the way home.
Some people are luckier when it comes to competitions. Like Edgar.
Monkey Nuts, the new play written by Geraldine Naido and performed by Matthew Ribnick, is the story of Edgar Chambers, a quirky animal-loving loner who is an expert on bargains and free stuff. He is constantly entering competitions: he won "best letter" in Men's Health three times!
When Edgar wins big in a radio competition, the guy that no-one wanted to be associated with is suddenly inundated with people wanting to be his friend and share in the winnings. And so we are taken on a whirlwind ride of Edgar's life: a kaleidoscope of his past, present, and his quest for friendship. Sad moments interspersed with hilarious ones. The pace of the play is fast with Ribnick nimbly darting in and out of twenty culturally diverse characters.
We may not all be dorkey bargain-hunting price gurus. But we all experience the highs and lows of finding and making friends. In that respect, there's an Edgar in all of us.
P.S. Pansy's top bargain and freebie tips are:
- Free car wash at Impala Greengrocer on Beyers Naude on Sundays if you spend over R10o
- Free parking for 2 hours at Sandton City if you park on the rooftop parking (Sandton Drive)
- Half price movies at Ster Kinekor if you have an Edgars Club Card (and you can get linked cards as well)
- Monte Casino - join club festival, get your parking credited to your festival card and gamble your parking money (Pansy won R80 at the slot machines from R20 parking)
- Bank Charges: reduce them by switching to a package option rather than pay as you transact
- Car Hire: Aroundaboutcars.com, Traveljigsaw.co.za and Avis (sometimes) for the best deals and service
- Telephone (Landline): Use Telkom's package deals such as Telkom closer. It's a mission to get the phone connected, but once it's done, you shouldn't have hassles with Telkom anymore
- Checkers: If a promo item is out of stock, ask for a promo voucher, then you get it at the promo price when it's in stock
- Silk: Great prices at Chamdor
- Alterations and basic sewing: Pauline's on 4th Avenue, Linden (Opposite Spar, next to Engen)
- Spices: At Eastern Temptations, Greenhill Road cnr Barry Hertzog, Emmarentia
- Clicks: Use your club card for points at Musica and get movie discounts at Nu Metro (Mon-Fri)
- Airtime: At CNA (same price or cheaper than Pep, depending on network)
- Basmati Rice: At Eastern Temptations
- Legumes: At Eastern Tempations
- Halva and Olives: At the Cheese Place, 1st Avenue, Victory Park
- Almonds: At Eastern Temptations
- New York shows: get discounts at broadwaybox.com, NYtix.com, theatremania.com, playbill.com
Disclaimer: Bargain info correct at time of going to press plus the usual other blurb about non liability because these are just suggestions etc
No comments:
Post a Comment