For a truly unique South African experience you’ll find it hard to beat a visit to ‘Evita se Perron’ in the West Coast ‘dorp’ (small town) of Darling.

The setting is picturesque – Darling is set amongst wheatfields and vineyards, and is steeped in rich history. This can be seen in the architecture which is largely Victorian.

Many tourists use Darling as a base for exploring the distinctively different West Coast region – especially during the flower season.

You can also reach the town by steam train, making for an even more memorable experience.

But the highlight of a visit to Darling is taking in a performance by local comedian and playwright Pieter Dirk Uys (aka 'Evita Bezuidenhout') at ‘Evita se Perron’.

This restaurant and theatre is based in a converted old station building. The food served is delicious boerekos (traditional Afrikaans farm-fair). The show, which is constantly updated and never the same two evenings running, is sure to be a delightful, satirical feast. Here South African life is taken apart with no sector of the community immune from Dirk-Uys’s biting wit.

The ambiance has been cleverly created through use of a huge collection of local boere ‘kitsch’ mixed with old apartheid signs. The idea is to laugh, shed some tears, and be thankful that the past is indeed in this beautiful country’s dark past.

Up to 90 people can be accommodated at ‘Evita se Perron’, and the venue can be booked for groups, corporates etc.