SOUTH AFRICA THEATER REVIEWS

Pantomimes aren’t easy – at once they must captivate children for upwards of two hours while also catering to the sensibilities of the adults in the audience. RED RIDING HOOD manages to ace both of these components. In fact, this might be my favourite of the annual pantos at the Masque Theatre �...

Whether you’re looking for a memorable night out with friends, a family bonding experience or a unique way to entertain visiting tourists, JOLTYD - Through the Ages of Music is the perfect choice. It captures the very essence of Cape Town’s festive spirit, joyful, inclusive and full of life....

Don’t miss the chance to experience Glimmer, a show that entertains, inspires and speaks to the heart of what it means to grow up today. It’s a performance that will stay with you long after the final curtain call! A captivating, thought-provoking experience for teenagers and families. ...

Let Mina Thina inspire, entertain and spark conversations about family, community and the challenges many face. Gather your loved ones and head to Magnet Theatre, it’s a performance that will touch hearts and open minds!...

Prepare for a delightful mash-up of holiday cheer and Shakespearean drama in Scrooge Macbeth, a cleverly written two-act comedy that elevates the phrase “the show must go on” to hilarious new heights....

I never saw the first iteration of GAME OF NAMES, which was staged by Pinelands Players in 2017. If you’re in the same boat, this shouldn’t deter you from going to see GAME OF NAMES: SEASON 2. This musical game show extravaganza combines elements from game shows and musical theatre to create a ...

SOLO FEST was created with the intention to “make more spaces for more south African stories to be told, more often”. Indeed, theatre-maker Sophie Joans explains, “Everyone has a story to tell. The hard part is getting started. I wanted to create a weekly structured space for people to come to...

The music of Alan Menken dominates many a beloved musical or movie musical – whether you know it or not. His melodies invariably imbue these works with meaning, beauty and depth. PART OF YOUR WORLD includes thirty songs from eleven of these legendary works: ALADDIN, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, HE...

This show blew me away. Days after having witnessed it, I am still ruminating over the lushness of it all. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve experienced a few pieces this year that deal with or draw from Greek mythology....

MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE is a comical look at the ups, downs and mad choices that can happen when the apple cart is upset by one spouse leaving the other....

MY LEFT BREAST is a one-woman show, starring Shannon Esra as Susan, a “one-breasted, menopausal, Jewish, bisexual, lesbian mom” as the character emphatically states during this engaging comedy-drama....

INVISIBLE SCARS is another superb piece showing at the Baxter Theatre Centre, which has its roots in the annual Zabalaza Theatre Festival. Written and directed by Themba Baleni, the show garnered Zabalaza Awards for both Best Production and Best Direction earlier this year. ...

There are, unfortunately, many marginalised individuals in South Africa – people who remain forgotten, despite the immense contributions they have made to this country. Black members of the (then) South African Defence Force, who fought for the country during apartheid, constitute one such group....

From the captivating costumes to the dynamic execution, every detail was finely tuned, making the entire show an indelible experience....

As How Now Brown Cow presents us with their new piece of theatre, we are reminded of their commitment to excellence in everything that they do. The SA premier of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, starring Julie-Anne McDowell, is such a piece....

Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre presents a truly unique experience with this show. Audience members are guided to an industrial-looking studio/warehouse. We immediately observe six performers moving frantically on a platform. Each has a bob-style haircut, and the uniformity in look and the frene...

TRIAL AND ERROR follows 19-year-old Amari Davids (played by Mamello Makhetha) of Georgia, who stands trial for negligence and manslaughter (culpable homicide in South Africa), after being involved in a car accident that leaves two people dead...

I’ve loved Greek mythology since I was little. This probably had a lot to do with Rick Riordan’s fabulous Percy Jackson series. It’s been a while since I engaged with the content and this production sucked me right back in and reminded me how enchanting Greek mythology is. But it takes a speci...

Agatha Christie’s hit novel, DEATH ON THE NILE, has spawned multiple film adaptations, most recently Kenneth Branagh’s 2022 take on the modern classic. Of lesser knowledge, however, is that Christie personally adapted DEATH ON THE NILE for the stage, renaming it MURDER ON THE NILE....

DRACULA - A COMEDY OF TERRORS is fast-paced and packed full of jokes. It's an absolutely hilarious re-imagining of the classic story featuring a cast with some excellent comic timing. Director Wayne Hendricks and Milnerton Players should be very proud of what they've put together with this productio...

It truly is wonderful to see the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society back in action after such a long hiatus. G&S is back and they chose to return to the Artscape with a classic G&S production....

VER IN DIE WERELD KITTIE is a compelling musical that not only entertains but also educates its audience about a lesser-known chapter of Afrikaans folk music history. It’s a poignant reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of individuals like Kittie Jaftha and Koos Heuningbek, whose cultura...

I can regularly be heard saying that I wouldn't want to go back to being a teenager for all the money in the world, and HEATHERS - THE MUSICAL definitely confirmed my opinion! I felt like this musical was equal parts MEAN GIRLS and CARRIE - in the best possible way....

There's something special about being invited into a story that's deeply personal. PIECES OF ME is Bo Petersen's family history, and it is her relationship with her father. However, it's also a story that encompasses all of South Africa and our shared past. This balancing act between broad history a...

Klara van Wyk has a wonderful brand of humour and heart, and it's on display once again in MONIKA, IT'S ME. It's a beautiful piece of theatre. It makes you laugh, cry and think - and that's a good thing....