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Feature: THE 2023 ZABALAZA THEATRE AWARDS at the Baxter Theatre Centre Reflect Passion, Comradery, and Talent
by Jaime Uranovsky - Apr 4, 2023

The 13th annual Zabalaza Theatre Festival took place from 24 March until 31 March 2023. This year, the Festival boasted a whopping 37 productions and 189 participants. The very next day after the festival ended, the ZABALAZA AWARDS were held in the Golden Arrow Theatre at the Baxter Theatre Centre.

Review: Fresh theatre at the ZABALAZA THEATRE FESTIVAL at the Baxter
by Klara van Rooyen - Mar 27, 2023

The Baxter's foyer was packed on Saturday night for the opening of this year's ZABALAZA THEATRE FESTIVAL. It is the festival's 13th year, and according to its Artistic Director and Curator, Mdu Kweyama, the core team started their planning in May of last year. One can imagine that this festival must be a beast to manage, boasting a total of 200 artists and 40 productions. The festival's schedule is fully packed, and the opening night was used to present snippets from each production.

Review: IMBILINI... MY FRIEND! at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio
by Faeron Wheeler - Jun 22, 2022

IMBILINI… MY FRIEND! is a moving piece of physical theatre that has been carefully crafted for the stage. The chemistry between the two real-life friends, who also wrote and perform this original piece, is natural and completely tangible as you sit watching them move on stage.

BWW Review: WAYS OF DYING �" superb staging at The Baxter
by Faeron Wheeler - Nov 14, 2020

It’s an incredible piece that seems almost naïve in story to being with but reveals a depth that is both disturbing and deeply impactful. The production of this story that is currently on at The Baxter’s Flipside Theatre is an adaptation created by Lara Foot.

BWW Review: Intensity and Absurdity of THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? Tackled at Baxter Theatre Centre
by Lindsay Kruger - May 2, 2019

A play intended to shock the conservative and probe at society's typical imaginings of marital breakdown, the Baxter's latest offering of the award-winning THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? has an equally acclaimed director and cast behind it; making it stand in good stead as a must-see for those brave enough to approach what they cannot 'unsee'.

Fugard Theatre Productions KING KONG And WEST SIDE STORY Win Ten Naledi Theatre Awards
by Stephi Wild - Jun 19, 2018

Two productions presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have scooped an incredible ten Naledi Theatre Awards. The winners were announced at a glittering event last night (Monday 18 June) in Johannesburg.

Applications Are Now Open For The 2019 Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2018

The Baxter's Zabalaza Theatre Festival is calling for applications from theatre-makers, directors, script writers, community groups and theatre companies to participate in the 2019 Zabalaza Theatre Festival and the deadline for applications is 5pm on 31 July 2018.

WHEN SWALLOWS CRY Comes to The Drama Factory
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2018

Nominated for six Naledi Awards When Swallows Cry interweaves three stories set in Africa, or about African migrants and refugees. One story features a Canadian teacher - initially assumed to be an American - who is captured by a group of bandits in a West African country. He is held for ransom to generate the funds required to develop the region in which he is held. A second story features two Zimbabwean teachers who flee the economic hardships of their country in a boat heading to Fiji where they will not require visas for at least three months. However, the boat ventures into Australian waters and they are held at a detention centre for illegal immigrants, and are threatened with immediate deportation to Zimbabwe. The third story tells of a Somalian who leaves his war-torn country for South Africa, only to experience brutal xenophobic violence that obliges him to seek refuge in America. He obtains a legitimate US visa but is hounded at the port of entry; one of his tormentors is an African America official, a descendant of African slaves, but whose job it is to prevent "undesirables" entering America, and threatening their security. These stories, featuring three actors playing contrasting characters in the three different playlets, are multi-layered and raise numerous themes about contemporary mobility. The stories comment on each other, not necessarily in sequence, but as a whole.

Fugard Theatre Productions Receive 25 Naledi Theatre Award Nominations
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2018

Two productions presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have received an incredible 25 Naledi Theatre Award nominations.

The 2018 Best Of Zabalaza Winning Production, ONWEER, Returns For Its Season At The Baxter
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2018

The 2018 Best of Zabalaza Theatre Festival winner, Carlo Daniels' arresting two-hander Onweer, will take to the stage at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, for a short season, from 9 to 19 May, at 7.30pm nightly with matinee performances on 12 and 19 May at 3pm and 16 May at 11am.

SELWYN AND GABRIEL Come to Alexander Upstairs
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 20, 2018

After sold out performances in September 2017, Selwyn & Gabriel returns to the Alexander Bar.

Alexander Upstairs Announces SELWYN AND GABRIEL
by Julie Musbach - Mar 20, 2018

After sold out performances in September 2017, Selwyn & Gabriel returns to the Alexander Bar.

Jam-packed Eighth Annual Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Now On Stage
by David Fick - Mar 11, 2018

The eighth annual 2018 Zabalaza Theatre Festival to showcase some 40 productions by dynamic young theatre-makers from all over the Western Cape.

TV Star And Sensational Songstress Joins Cast Of KING KONG
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2018

TV star and sensational songstress Sihle Ndaba has joined the cast of the KING KONG - THE MUSICAL at the Fugard Theatre.  

Multiple Award-Winning Star Desmond Dube Joins Cast Of Fugard's Acclaimed KING KONG
by Stephi Wild - Dec 20, 2017

Multiple award-winning actor and popular TV and film star Desmond Dube joins the cast of the Fugard Theatre's hit production of the iconic South African musical KING KONG. From 2 January 2018 he steps in to the central role of Pop in the production, which is currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town until 18 February 2018.

KING KONG Returns to Cape Town for the Summer Season With An Extended Season at The Fugard
by Stephi Wild - Nov 15, 2017

After a sold-out six week season at the Fugard Theatre, the hit musical KING KONG returns by overwhelming public demand for the summer season. Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, KING KONG will run from 12 December with bookings now extended to 18 February 2018.

Deadline For the Baxter's Zabalaza Theatre Festival Applications Extended To 29 September
by David Fick - Sep 18, 2017

The call for applications for the Baxter's Zabalaza Theatre Festival has been extended to 29 September at 17:00. Theatre-makers, directors, scriptwriters, community groups and theatre companies are encouraged to apply to participate festival before the new deadline.

KING KONG Sells Out Cape Town Run; Return Season Announced
by BWW News Desk - Aug 29, 2017

The Eric Abraham and Fugard Theatre production of KING KONG has sold out its Cape Town first run. The show ends at the Fugard Theatre on 2 September before transferring to the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg from 12 September until 8 October.

BWW Review: Revival of KING KONG at The Fugard Theatre as Complex as it is Thrilling
by David Fick - Aug 19, 2017

Watching KING KONG, the Fugard Theatre's latest musical theatre production, is as complex an experience as it is a thrilling one. The first revival of a legendary South African jazz opera, as it was called when first performed in 1959, KING KONG is at once a historical document, a contemporary reimagining, a vibrant performance piece and a damning comment on society.

The Fugard Theatre Brings Acclaimed Production of Iconic Musical KING KONG Home to Joburg
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 16, 2017

Over half a century since the world premiere of the original production of KING KONG, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre bring this legendary and iconic musical home to Johannesburg. The run will come hot off the Cape Town season, which is currently playing to rave reviews, rapturous responses and sold-out houses at the Fugard Theatre.

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