For over a decade, Craig Palm had his mind focused on building a name for himself in the television and film industry. That worked for him because he scored many exciting roles in TV shows and films such as Yizo Yizo, Generations, Backstage, Isidingo and Rhythm City.
Today, Palm is a household name. He returns to theatre acting in something he last did at school 21 years ago. The actor, who turns 40 in November, returns to the stage with Athol Fugard’s classic play Blood Knot.
The play opens at the Market Theatre on October 15. Palm, a man who defines theatre as a spiritual experience, is excited to be back on stage. Palm took a break from theatre after his agent, the late Moonyeenn Lee, suggested he focus on TV and film because it was an in-thing.
“I have not done theatre in 21 years. I am hoping with my return I will make Moonyeenn proud. The two worlds are different. Film is about the story and theatre is about the actor telling a story. With this show James Ngcobo has ignited an old spark. I feel awesome because I am playing a role that was played by the legendary Fugard. What makes it even more special is that he is still alive and turning 90 next year. What more could I ask for?”
In the two-hander show, directed by Ngcobo, Palm acts alongside the seasoned stage and TV actor Mncedisi Shabangu. The show is about two brothers Morris (played by Palm) and Zacharia (played by Shabangu), who navigate the intricacies of being stuck in a place that offers them nothing but poverty.
“Blood Knot is about the bond between two brothers. It is about being frustrated by how their environment limits their dreams. It is about land issues and definitely it takes you back to where we come from after being colonised. Through storytelling, we take you to during the Dutch and apartheid times. The show is very educative and very relevant to many situations we encounter currently,” Palm says.
In defining his character, Palm says Morris is a genius. “You know why I love this character; it was played by white people and I am the first [black] person to play it. Morris is self-taught and reads a lot. He has travelled and seen places more than his brother. He decides to leave his brother for 10 years and explore the world. He returns later to connect with his brother. He wants to involve his brother and show him that he can aspire to have dreams. Because he wants this to happen and he is saving every cent.”
Palm returned to acting last year after taking a forced four-year break after he was involved in an accident. When he returned to acting, he landed a role in the BET show Isono. Last year, he also spent most of his time doing community work around Westbury and Coronation, Johannesburg, feeding homeless people with Hunger Has No Religion organisation. This year, he was able to shoot more shows including isiphindiselo and shot a feature film.
Palm, who was raised in Westbury and Fleurhof, was introduced to street theatre at the age of eight. Coming from rough neighbourhoods, he took part in karate, soccer and street theatre.
His father used to take him to the Market Theatre wearing oversized clothes and doing street performances while people threw a few pennies in a hat. One of his highlights at primary school was participating in a Primary School Drama Festival where he was discovered by Moonyeenn Lee. Lee was able to direct Palm to the National School of the Arts where his acting talent flourished. The focused actor says he has survived this long in the industry because he focuses on his craft.
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