On the 12th December 2007, I was spending the day with my sister who was visiting me in Cape Town from Toronto. She had an ‘urge’ to see me as I had been waiting for just on a year for a new heart. She could not explain this ‘urge’ so she arrived a week prior so that she could be with me and to attend the 1st night of ‘The Kramer Petersen Songbook’ at the Baxter Theatre. Although a fan of the writers, her added interest was that I had designed the set for that production. I worked on the show up to the 1st preview, a week earlier, and decided that as all was ready from my point of view, I would wait for the official opening night, for the always exciting experience of seeing a performance with an audience.

As District 6 featured so much in Kramer / Petersen’s writings, I decided to while away the day by, amongst other things, taking her to the District 6 Museum. Although born in the Cape, we were brought up in Joburg, and did not sense the extent of the tragedy that was unfolding in the heart of The Mother City.

I still don’t know why I was such a poepol, but, that very day, I forgot to take my phone.

OK, YOU’VE GUESSED IT !!!!!!

We came home at about 4:45 pm, thinking that we can take our time, get into our glad-rags, and slowly get ready to go to the theatre.

WRONG!!!!

Within a few minutes of arriving home, the land-line rang and my beloved partner answered. “It’s Willie Koen for you” he declared apprehensively. Now I don’t need to tell fellow recipients that there is only one reason why the man with the golden scalpel would phone. Until a donor is found, there is nothing he or his wonderful team can tell you. On taking the phone, I heard those magic words “ hello Saul, Willie here, we have a donor” My ex heart started bopping in my chest, like I had just taken an Ecstasy pilletjie (well I can imagine, can’t I?) I then informed him that my show was opening that evening and it would be great if I could see the show and then check in to the hospital later. In my dreams. So much for priorities! He said that he would call me again in a short while which he did. In the meantime, I phoned the Kramers just to tell them why I would not be attending the performance that evening. Had a quick shower and my partner, sister and I got a taxi (after feeding the dog) and travelled the short distance to the hospital.. It was probably nearing 7:00pm. I was amazingly excited. Not for a moment, did I ever doubt the success of the transplant. ‘Koen and company’ had filled me with total confidence. It was difficult to comprehend that the year long wait was over. Yesssss!

I was then prepared for the operation and donned that surgical gown which is far less flattering than a second hand bin liner, and as the cardiac ward was decked out for Xmas, I asked whoever was pushing the gurney on the way to the operating theatre, if I could have a little bit of tinsel to put around my neck. After all I wanted a bit of glitter to wear to the theatre. I think that there must have been some arched eyebrows around to rival the Macdonald’s logo.

Meantime, back at the Baxter. As is customary on 1st nights the designer is present. When asked as to my whereabouts, David Kramer told people that I had gone to another opening at another theatre. What else was opening that night? David replied, “his chest”

My theatre visit that night was 7 hours continuous. The Baxter performance was 2 hours with interval. My operation at Chris Barnard Memorial started at 8:00pm as the overture started at The Baxter. A true example of 2 theatres ‘in sinc and in tune’ with one another.

I am now the very grateful and healthy owner of a lady’s heart which is half my age. Harriet (heart) and I are extremely happy to have got together. Blind dates can sometimes work out well. We have become so close that we cannot live without each other. Even my partner is not jealous. A true marriage made in hospital. The Head Sister in the cardiac ward declared that if more men had women’s hearts, the world would be a better place. Take heed guys.

And they are both living happily ever after…..for now.

And that is my Tale of Two Theatres.