Fridjhon’s stroke stops ‘My Name is Asher Lev’

PETER FELDMAN

Well-known actor Fridjhon (48), who was playing the title role in the Chaim Potok play, collapsed with a stroke while driving in Johannesburg last week. All performances of the highly acclaimed production at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre had to be cancelled.

Anthony, Robert’s father, who is also a celebrated actor and voice-over artist, told SA Jewish Report that just before lunchtime last Wednesday, Robert was driving and stopped at the corner of Kingfisher Drive and Witkoppen Road in Fourways because he felt dizzy.

He opened the car door and fell out into the road where a couple, who were driving behind him, got out of their vehicle to see what was wrong.

As they were helping him, according to Anthony, a nurse also stopped, took one look at him, and said that he had had a stroke.

An ambulance was immediately summoned and he was taken to Olivedale Hospital, where he was admitted. He spent two days in ICU and is slowly recovering in High Care.

Anthony praised the complete strangers who came to his son’s rescue. “There are still good people in the world,” he said. He also lavished praise on the hospital’s doctors and staff whom he said were “outstanding”.

Said Anthony: “The stroke had occurred in the right side of the brain so his left arm and leg are affected, although luckily not his face. He does have a slight speech impediment, though. He is still being sedated and sleeping a lot, which is good.”

Anthony said that at this stage they are asking that only family visit him and they will keep everyone informed of his progress via Facebook.

Anthony’s Facebook page went crazy after he announced what had befallen his son, and messages of support and offers of help came pouring in from all over the country.

Mark Sage, manager of Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre, said the Johannesburg performances of the play had been cancelled and was unlikely to be rescheduled.

My Name is Asher Lev, about a New York artist who is conflicted between his passion for art and his religion, also featured Alan Swerdlow and Louise Saint Claire.

Sage added that the play is scheduled for Cape Town in September and it will be necessary to recast the lead role.