Klara van Rooyen

What did our critic think of EVERY BRILLIANT THING at Theatre On The Bay?

The Masque and Cape Town Theatre Company joined forces to bring their adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd to the stage, aptly titled THE MURDER OF THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. The production is adapted by Stephan Fourie and Faeron Wheeler, and Stephan helmed its direction. Staging this play must’ve been a delicious challenge, with its play-within-a-play structure, levels of meta-awareness, and stagecraft surprises. 

The music of Queen is timeless. Their hit songs are emotional and memory markers (and makers!) that withstand the test of time. Introduce ballet into the mix, and you might get some eyebrow raises. But Mzansi Ballet’s recent production, THE QUEEN SHOW, exemplifies the versatility of the medium and how the two can be a match made in artistic heaven.

Now and then, the stars align in theatre. The funding meets the vision, the performers meet the text, and the text resonates with its audience. THE PROMISE is an example of such a monumental moment in South African theatre.

What did our critic think of TOSCA at Cape Town Opera?

August is National Women's Month, a month which presents us with the oppurtunity to celebrate women and to recommit ourselves to the fight for women's empowerment. The Women’s Month Festival offers exactly this - an oppurtunity to uplift and commemorate female-centric visions in theatre. We sat down with the festival's co-producer's, Faeron Wheeler and Sue Diepeveen, to chat about this year's festival.

It can be challenging to go to the theatre on cold winter evenings. Between dark roads caused by load shedding and the come-hither look of a cosy bed, it’s hard to venture out these days. However, there are some shows that will warm you up with their comedy, and DUDE! WA’S MY BAKKIE? is a tough rival to compete with homebody habits.

Brent Van Rensburg, the artistic director of MOYA and co-founder of Zip Zap Circus, and Phelelani Ndakrokra, one of the main stars of the show, sat down with us and shared a glimpse of the MOYA magic.

In the world of theatre, the attitude towards children's theatre is not always positive. Sometimes regarded as the lesser-than-stepchild, you'll often hear people say: 'It was good, for a children's production'. To me, children's theatre is vital and important work, and should be treated as such. Our attitude towards children's theatre is reflective of our attitude towards younger audiences, who are our country's most important theatre-attending demographic - especially considering the country's current shape.

DIE MOEDER needs no introduction. After a highly acclaimed run at the TOYOTA US WOORDFEES last year and another successful run at this year's KKNK, DIE MOEDER graces The Baxter's Flipside theatre stage for a limited run. Starring a stellar cast with Sandra Prinsloo at the helm, DIE MOEDER marks Christiaan Olwagen's return to theatre.

The mood was set from the get-go when I watched DEVIL SONG on an autumnal evening with a yellowing moon. Compiled and directed by David Fick, this cabaret consists of different monologues and songs that create a funhouse of humanity's darker aspects. Needless to say, my inner goth was hooked from the start.

The discourse surrounding feminism looks different than it did a few years ago. This is of course natural and unavoidable, but with the recent backlash of the MeToo movement and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States, one wonders where things might be going. And what better place to look than in the minds of young women? PATISSERIE FEMME, a recent production at The Drama Factory and Theatre Arts, offers exactly this.

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.

It's 2023 and homophobia in South Africa still rears its ugly head in our cultural landscape far too often. Although on paper South Africa seems to be a haven for LGBTQ+ members, it is still a challenge for many queer Afrikaners to reckon with their identity and feel accepted. MY HART IS 'N MUURBAL (EN ANDER GEDAGTES) presents a celebrative and varied perspective on this experience without sacrificing its entertainment value.

Watching THE GRASS WIDOW at the Masambe Theatre feels like visiting a well-kept secret. Sitting in the intimate auditorium, elbow-to-elbow with other audience members, the anticipation is palpable for Louis Viljoen's latest production.

'Gosh, I haven't been here in years,' a fellow audience member uttered with glee at Maynardville's SONGS OF SHAKESPEARE. Shakespeare in the Park is back in Cape Town, and it is a return to form for many local audience members. Sitting between the trees, underneath the starlight, Jose Dias guides the audience on a journey through the Bard's influence on the world of music, making the experience nothing short of magical.

It's a brand-new year, and Cape Town's theatre scene (and weather) is warming up. Looking at the line-up, it's impressive to see the variety of productions offered. If your viewing palate thirsts for something darkly comedic, Louis Viljoen's latest production, THE GRASS WIDOW, promises to quench that desire. Louis and his leading lady, Emma Kotze, sat down with us to give an exciting glimpse of their new show.

STAR+CROSSED follows the interwoven tale of Billy and Bess. Bess, who is based on Elizabeth Klarer, meets Billy one evening on Flying Saucer Hill in the Natal Midlands. The two children form a connection that spans nine decades, from 1910 until 1994. Billy and Bess' stories are intertwined but also juxtaposed by one another.