Johannesburg - Theresa Smith chats to theatre director Janni Younge about her most memorable travel experiences.
First holiday memory?
My early holiday memories are of holidaying with my sisters and parents. Every year we made the trek to The Crags above Nature’s Valley. A friend of my parents owns Khoinania guest farm, which borders pristine forest and we would splash our way through the summer, ride horses, find fairies in the forest and have mud fights.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Citrusdal hot springs, also known simply as The Baths. After a few days in the warm embrace of the mineral waters I’m really relaxed. It’s like a soul embrace.
Best holiday ever?
I was contracted to make and perform giant puppets at a secret sheikh’s beach resort in the Seychelles. We spent a week at the beach waiting for our performance night, passing the time snorkelling and eating and generally lazing about. It’s a really balmy place.
What have you learnt from your travels?
We tend to mythologise European and global artists. But the beauty and courage of our own artistic products is testament to our depth of spirit as a nation.
Who is your ideal travelling companion?
My husband. No one else can navigate a foreign city, geek out on cool and weird cultural trips or take care of the kids like him.
Beach bum, culture vulture, or adrenalin junkie?
I was a culture vulture. Now (since kids) I am a beach bum and my ideal holiday is to rent a beach house at a place like Pringle Bay.
What is your greatest travel luxury?
My family is of Scottish descent … we are built of sterner stuff. In any case, single malt is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Travel reading?
Racy thrillers. Anything that’s not violent, not predictable.
What place has really seduced you?
Greece. Working in Kilkis in the north I felt right at home among all the passion, shouting, disregard for rules and warmth of the people.
Worst travel experience ever?
An evening in Marrakesh after a hot day. I bought a bottle of mineral water and drank it. That whole night I spent throwing up because the bottle contained some paraffin. Also, driving in Napoli dodging scooters swarming up the wrong side of the road…
Best hotel?
The Taj in Mumbai. India is a daunting destination, with its mass of people, colours, scents. Coming home in the evenings to the Taj made it worthwhile. I fizzed away in spas and ate food I’d never eaten before.
Walk, swim, ride or drive?
Walking in the Cape mountains. The scent of fynbos and the light is sheer heaven.
Best meal abroad?
A little restaurant, Da Mama, in a southern Italy village. Since we couldn’t understand a word, the owner took us into the kitchen to show us the food. Marinated aubergines, a salami mountain, jugs of wine… it all came without our understanding why.
Favourite city?
Cape Town, but beyond that I’d say New York. It is full of Americans, but they are cool ones, embarrassed by some of their more insanely conservative compatriots.
Where do you travel next?
After Cape Town and the Grahamstown fest, if I can manage it, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Sun Valley in LA and Saratoga. Then it’s a little RnR in New York, Paris and Marseilles, and work on a new production in Poland before finally home to Cape Town.
l Janni Younge is off soon, but it won’t be on holiday. The firebird director starts with a live performance to the original score composed by Igor Stravinsky at Cape Town’s Artscape from June 24 to 26, travels to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival next month and then is off to perform the US.
Saturday Star