My surreal experience at the Longhope TV Writing residency at Paulet House 

I am currently on honeymoon, sitting on a beach-front hotel balcony. I am warmly wrapped in a blanket, sipping at my sweet rooibos tea as the constant shush of the waves meeting the shore lulls me. The fresh sea breeze along with the amazing view of the bay hugging the white and aqua entrances me and transports me to my creative space of mind.  

Memories of my stay at Paulet House for the Longhope TV Writing residency come flooding back as I reflect on the year that’s passed and the year ahead. The only word I can use to describe my time at Paulet House is surreal. Never in my life have I experienced anything like it.  

I was a nervous wreck leaving for Cape Town International Airport from Durbanville with a way over-packed bag. The last time I flew in a plane was in grade 2 and my parents were the ones who had to worry about all the logistics of getting on the plane in time. This time it was up to me and my sister and of course we took a wrong turn which completely threw me into a frenzy. Luckily, I did get on my flight on time (unlike Siya – no, Mpho, Santhea, Manhlwa and I will never let you live that down. Mwahaha!) and after a quick, and a bit too turbulent for my liking, plane ride we touched down in Gqeberha. Santhea and I were greeted warmly by Theo and Gilbert and led to a little bus where Mpho and Manhlwa were already waiting (Siya still MIA for the time being due to the aforementioned missed flight). All of us started chatting with each other so comfortably from the get-go and I knew then that I would really enjoy my stay. 

After a two-hour drive, we reached Paulet House and all of us were just gaping at how amazing and unbelievable it all was. The old house looked so beautiful nestled at the foot of the stunning Boschberg mountains. It felt like entering a little piece of frozen time. The rooms were even better and, to top it off, the most lekker food I have ever eaten awaited every morning, afternoon and evening.  

Meeting Tina was like meeting Joy from Inside Out. The smallest, kindest powerhouse of a woman greeted and welcomed us warmly. Working with her every day was such an amazing experience. She held the space for us every single day, making sure it was safe, full of creativity and progress but also, most importantly, fun. In the second week we got to meet the amazing Muneera Sallies who helped us so much and gave us so much practical advice and insights. Together they were worth gold to a very green writer like me.  

It was a tough two weeks, filled with hard work and a constant pouring out of oneself. One had to be vulnerable, and I faced many voices within myself that said I can’t do it and that I’m simply not good enough. But I pushed through with the help of Tina and every other person there. That was so amazing to me. Not once did it feel like there was any competition or ill-feeling. I learned so much from the other writers, each of them so generous with their gift and knowledge. 

I was at a table surrounded by the most passionate people I have ever met in my life. People who have worked so hard to get to where they are today. People who live and breathe for their writing. Their passion was infectious and soon I found myself on fire for what I was there to achieve. I have always been interested in writing and I have always loved it. After an unfortunate experience at university, the confidence I had in my writing was ripped to pieces. I remember writing in my application letter to the residency that, if anything, the thing I most hoped to gain from the experience was my confidence back. That I did, and so much more. 

On the last evening of the residency, after our final submission, we were still so buzzed from the whole experience that we decided to write and shoot two teasers for thrillers. We had the most fun, making fake blood with the help of Gilbert’s balsamic glaze and pink food colouring, then roped Gilbert in to be one of our bad guys, and I could finally show everyone some of what I can do as an actress as well. All of us worked so well as a team and the shooting process was so much fun. I would work with that amazing group of people again in a heartbeat. 

Leaving Paulet House was the hardest thing ever. I was truly sad to greet the sunroom, beautiful gardens, my room, Gilbert and Siena, and of course all the amazing other writers. I am so looking forward to seeing the amazing heights they go to in their writing careers and am so privileged to have met them and will always have each of them tucked deep into my heart.  

Clarissa Theron

Clarissa Theron (Saaiman) is an actress and aspiring writer. She completed her BA degree in drama and theatre studies at Stellenbosch University and, apart from the stage writing she has done as part of her studies, she made use of her student years to write short performance pieces for her hostels. Her scripts for Vensters 2020 and Vensters 2021 both took second place and her script for Mollasesêr 2021 was chosen as best script. Professional highlights since her graduation include working on the award-winning stage production Op hierie dag with Neil Coppen as part of the ongoing Karoo Kaarte Project at the KKNK, starring in a couple of commercials currently flighting in various European countries, and starring in the Bollywood biopic Srikanth that is available on Netflix. Clarissa’s voice also regularly features in the dubbed Turkish series showing on eTV and eExtra. Clarissa will be seen in the upcoming South African film Black burns fast, which is currently in post-production and due for release in 2025.

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