My Mother's Shoes My Father's Hat is on at the Kalk Bay Theatre Until September 6. Brent Meersman spoke to the man behid the production, Aldo Brincat.

Your latest one-man show is to date your most autobiographical. Can you explain the title My Father's Hat, My Mother's Shoes?
In many ways, we are the sum total of our parents. I chose an object of clothing from each that symbolised the particular influence they had on my life.

You are also a magician, and you use magic tricks in the show in a way I have not seen used before. What is your history with magic?
My parents were classical stage magicians and I literally grew up in the wings. They were the best in South Africa during the 1970s and early 80s. From a young age I was groomed to follow in their footsteps. I use magic as a platform through which to tell a greater story of relationships between three generations of men in one family. The magic is incidental to the story and serves as a powerful metaphor for the ties that bind. Magic, mime, puppetry and masks are for me the four sacred pillars of live theatre.

You have been based in Botswana these last few years. How has that country affected your art?
Profoundly. My work has simplified tremendously, while simultaneously becoming denser. The elementary approach to theatre creation and its appreciation have insisted that my work be highly accessible. The current psychology behind theatre and its appreciation here, have challenged me enormously to re-examine everything I do and why I do it. For example, my pure love for realism has almost been eclipsed by the melodramatic style of performance currently filtering down from Nigeria. Comedy is very popular here, so in many ways, I am very at home.