UCT Drama Presents TOUCHED BY BARNEY SIMON: A RETROSPECTIVE This May

The University of Cape Town Drama Department, in partnership with the Baxter Theatre Centre, will commemorate the life and work of Barney Simon in a season of plays when it stages TOUCHED BY BARNEY SIMON: A RETROSPECTIVE from 12 - 23 May at the Little and Arena Theatres.

Two decades after his passing, Barney Simon's body of work continues to speak to contemporary South Africa, simultaneously reminding theatre-makers, performers and audiences of the country's rich and painful history. Simon's immense contribution to the canon of theatre in the country, as playwright, director and dramaturge, is celebrated in a festival of five back-to-back productions, including CINCINNATI (directed by Jacqui Singer), BLACK DOG/INJ'EMNYAMA (directed by Clare Stopford), WOZA ALBERT! (directed by Mdu Kweyama) and BEGREERTE (directed by Amy Jephta). The fifth production in the season, HAVE YOU SEEN ZANDILE? (directed by directed by Ntombi Makhutshi), was created by Gcina Mhlophe who worked closely with Simon at the Market Theatre.

Following the UCT Drama season, the Baxter Theatre will present BORN IN THE RSA in July after it premieres at the National Festival of the Arts in Grahamstown. These six iconic productions highlight the continued relevance of Simon's work to present day South Africa and commend the legacy of one of the country's most beloved theatre-makers.