Our South Africa Critics
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Review: SOLO FEST at Theatre Arts Provides a Mouth-Watering Taste of Future One-Person Shows
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...
Review: PART OF YOUR WORLD at Theatre On the Bay Celebrates the Best of Alan Menken
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...
Review: MANJE! MANJE (AN EPIC) at Magnet Theatre Is a Spectacular Extravaganza of Myth-Making and Retelling
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....
Review: MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE starring Kate Normington at Theatre On The Bay
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....
Review: MY LEFT BREAST at the Baxter Theatre Centre Is a Magnificent Ode to Grief and Womanhood
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....
Review: INVISIBLE SCARS at the Baxter Studio Is a Tragic Interrogation of the Wounds We Cannot See
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.
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Review: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE at the Baxter Theatre Centre Is Powerful, Political and Poignant
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....
Review: CAPE BALLET AFRICA - SALT at Pam Golding Theatre At The Baxter
From the captivating costumes to the dynamic execution, every detail was finely tuned, making the entire show an indelible experience....
Review: MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON from How Now Brown Cow is on at the Baxter
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....
Review: AUTOPLAY at Longkloof Studios Provides a Jarring, Visceral Commentary on Our Relationship with Technology
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...
Review: TRIAL AND ERROR at Baxter Theatre Centre Explores Law as Theatre
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...
Review: METAMORPHOSES at the Baxter Studio Is Liquid Food of the Gods
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...
Review: MURDER ON THE NILE at the Masque Theatre Is a Voyage of Love, Loss, Revenge
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....
Review: DRACULA - A COMEDY OF TERRORS is a laugh a minute
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...
Review: THE YEOMAN OF THE GUARD at Artscape
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....
Review: VER IN DIE WERELD KITTIE at The Blik
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...
Review: Dive Into Teenage Angst and Then Some With HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL
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....
Review: PIECES OF ME at the Baxter Haunts and Heals
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...
Review: MONIKA, IT'S ME at The Drama Factory
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....
Review: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION gives whodunnit twists and turns
The story is full of all the classic stuff you'd expect from an Agatha Christie. Twists and turns, red herrings as to who the murderer is, characters clearly lying (but for what reason?!) and some very sharp dalogue. In this version of WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, that dialogue was delivered beautif...
Review: HOLLYWOOD at Theatre on the Bay Is Another LAMTA “Blockbuster”
Review: HOLLYWOOD at Theatre on the Bay Is Another LAMTA “Blockbuster”...
Review: BLONDE POISON at Baxter Studio - Baxter Theatre Centre
BLONDE POISON is a must-see production, offering a profound reflection on human choices in the face of unimaginable threat....
Review: LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR at Artscape, Opera House
This restaging of LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR is a fitting tribute to Cape Town Opera's 25 years of artistic excellence. Under Gobbato's direction, the production not only honours the company’s past but also looks forward to its future, showcasing the enduring power of opera to move and inspire. ...
Review: DUDE! WAA'S MY PHONE? at Artscape Arena
DUDE! WAA'S MY PHONE? performed at the Artscape Theatre is a delightful comedic play that exceeded my initial expectations. Focusing on the pervasive issue of cellphone addiction and the pitfalls of digital life, this production manages to blend humour with an important social message....
Review: THE RETURN OF ELVIS DU PISANIE at Theatre On The Bay
It's always a pleasure to see a Paul Slabolepzy piece! I'm a huge fan. And THE RETURN OF ELVIS DU PISANIE does not disappoint in any way, shape or form. It is an extraordinary performance by Ashley Dowds and a story with pure heart from Slabolepzy....
Videos
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Enrico Brignano - Bello di Mamma 2026 Piazza del Duomo di Pistoia (7/06-7/06) |
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PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical Teatro at Montecasino (4/24-5/31) |
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MAMMA MIA! The Musical! Artscape Theatre (9/03-10/11) |
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Broadway to Blockbuster City Hall (6/12-6/13) |
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Swan Lake Teatro at Montecasino (8/07-8/21) |
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Max Angioni - ANCHE MENO – ROUND FINALE Piazza Europa (7/22-7/22) |
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MAMMA MIA! The Musical! Teatro at Montecasino (10/16-11/22) |
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Enrico Brignano - Bello di Mamma 2026 Mapo Club (9/01-9/01) |
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MAMMA MIA! Teatro at Montecasino (10/16-11/22) |
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MAMMA MIA! Artscape Theatre (9/03-10/11) |
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