Kim Kerfoot and Claire Watling Bring THE YELLOW WALLPAPER to Alexander Bar Upstairs Theatre This July

The Alexander Bar Upstairs Theatre will play host to a theatrical adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's gothic horror classic THE YELLOW WALLPAPER in a production directed by Kim Kerfoot and featuring Claire Watling. The hour-long production will premiere for a short three-performance run later this month.

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER tells the story of Jane, unwell and fulfilling a prescription of rest, a rigid daily schedule and freedom from all care and work. Secluded in a country estate, her husband keeps her locked in a room for the sake of her health, but the yellow wallpaper occupies her mind. The yellow wallpaper disturbs her rest, and a forbidden series of journal entries is the only means of expression she has.

A chilling and satirical story, THE YELLOW WALLPAPER is full of secrets. Lauded as a chilling tale and savage indictment of the patriarchal powers of the 1890s, it still has the power to provoke and shock.

Claire Watling is a dedicated actress, singer and teacher. She has made numerous appearances in theatrical productions over the last 20 years, including Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's MACBETH, Sonja in Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA and her cabaret with Godfrey Johnson, KISSED BY BREL. Watling and Johnson were jointly awarded a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for KISSED BY BREL, while Watling won a second Fleur du Cap for her role as Feste in Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT. Watling mostly dedicates her time to teaching voice, singing and acting at her studio in Observatory, as well as at CPUT and UCT.

Director Kim Kerfoot is a South African theatre-maker who has worked with Magnet Theatre, ZANews and FTH:K, as well as being a co-founder of the Instant Arts Collective. Kerfoot presented three original site-specific works as part of the 2008, 2010 and 2011Out The Box Festivals, creating and performing in LEFT INSIDE, and creating and directing LYNCHOIN and GIOLLOTINE. He has been involved in two Infecting the City Festivals, participating in QUIET EMERGENCY in 2010 and in THE UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER and FLOWN in 2013. In 2011, Kerfoot received the Emerging Theatre Director's Bursary and used it to stage Athol Fugard's STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT, for which he won the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for Best New Director at the Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards in 2013. Kerfoot directed Jason Potgieter's THE THINGS YOU LEFT BEHIND, which won one of only six Standard Bank Silver Ovation Awards at the National Arts Festival 2013. His production of Jon Keevy's GET KRAKEN! also won a Standard Bank Ovation Award at NAF 2013 and was commended for innovation in physical theatre. In 2014, Kim took part in the Director's Lab at the Lincoln Center in New York, and he begins his Masters in Directing at Columbia University in New York City later this year.

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER runs from 27 July - 29 July at the Alexander Upstairs Theatre at 7pm nightly. Tickets cost R80 and can be booked online at the Alexander Bar website or purchased in person at the bar at any time during its regular opening hours. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Alexander Bar & Café is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.