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Johannesburg - Web series Once Upon a Time in Jozi by Thabang Phetla shows the lives of six individuals living in one of the country’s most vibrant cities – Joburg. They deal with the usual issues of love, partying and coping with what can, at times, be an intense environment to live in. It’s a slightly comical production that spans seven episodes.
The most volatile character in this show has to be Starring, a thug from the streets who graduated from the school of hard knocks with an honours certificate in house robbery and heists. Straight gully with it, he provides the darker aspect of Jozi life and the ladies love him.
In episode one, friends King and Kori organise a double date. King is the main character, played by Matome Senyolo, and he seems to be a player with multiple women in his life at a time. Kori wants King to ask one of his lady friends to bring a friend along with her. After a victory dance, they prepare for the double date. But things go terribly wrong when Starring rocks up looking for Nokwanda, one of the girls on the date, and he’s by no means happy.
The silly things the characters get up to can at times be amusing, but the acting isn’t exactly top draw. Nevertheless, Phetla and his cast must be commended for making an attempt at this genre of entertainment, hopefully helping to increase the number of locally produced web series.
If this is to be the television of the future, getting started now can only be a good look for Phetla.
The show is all of three minutes per episode and provides light comic relief if you’re looking for something that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Watch the first episode here:
