Our South Africa Critics
View All »
Review: One act comedy AUNT ZELDA'S PAINTING presented by Milnerton Players
What did our critic think of AUNT ZELDA'S PAINTING at Milnerton Playhouse? AUNT ZELDA'S PAINTING is a one-act romp with aspects of farce and a whole lot of heart. It's presented by Milnerton Players at the Playhouse, and runs until Saturday 5 August....
Review: TWELFTH NIGHT at the Masque Theatre Boasts an Ensemble Cast of Dreams
TWELFTH NIGHT is, without a doubt, my favourite of all Shakespeare’s plays. It is, probably for this reason, also the Shakespeare play I have had the honour of watching the most times. Despite this, I have never emerged from this play feeling like I have seen a repeat of the same production....
Review: EDUCATING RITA at Theatre on the Bay Provides an Intimate Slice of Life
EDUCATING RITA is one of my all-time favourite plays. Willy Russel’s rich script is a lush playground for the two actors lucky enough to inhabit his words.
The story is not unlike PIGMALION or MY FAIR LADY in some ways: Rita, a young Liverpudlian woman, working as a hairdresser in the 1980s, seek...
Review: CINDERELLA (CENDRILLON) at Artscape Opera House Is a Magical Blend of Opera, Ballet and Dialogue
Everyone has been acquainted with the story of CINDERELLA in some way, shape or form. What not everyone has experienced is this timeless tale told through a mixture of opera, ballet and acting. Indeed, this self-aware adaptation of Pauline Viardot’s chamber opera CINDERELLA (CENDRILLON), presented...
Review: VINTAGE DUKEBOX at Theatre on the Bay Dazzles with 1920s Glamour, Talent and Fun
Whenever I have the privilege of attending a LAMTA show, I just know that I am going to be blown away – it is inevitably the highlight of that week for me and for whichever lucky friend or family member has successfully vied for the plus-one ticket....
Review: THE VISIGOTHS is a chilling exploration of abuse at Baxter Masambe Theatre
No story about abuse is easy to watch or engage with, and writer-director Louis Viljoen doesn't shy away from true depravity of the situation in THE VISIGOTHS. It's a disturbing and chilling dive into how humans can break each other, shatter our psyches into little jagged pieces....
Review: Pieter-Dirk Uys proves once again that he is the master of satire and characterisation in SELL-BY-DATE
Pieter-Dirk Uys knows just how to tap into our fears and our challenges, and make us laugh at them. SELL-By-DATE does exactly that....
Review: THE PEARL FISHERS at Artscape Is Visually and Vocally Exquisite
Cape Town Opera’s production of Bizet’s THE PEARL FISHERS is a feast for the senses. The staging is minimal yet ethereal and allows the audience to float gently along the azure waters suggested onstage....
Review: MY FELLOW SOUTH AFRICANS at Innovation Lounge at Artscape Presents Relevant and Satirical Social Commentary
If South Africans know how to do one thing, it is to laugh – especially at ourselves. Award-winning playwright, Mike van Graan, has harnessed this famous South African humour and penned and directed a satirical revue that will be performed throughout 2023/24 in the build-up to the 2024 national el...
Review: STRICTLY BRITISH at Milnerton Playhouse Is a Fun, High-Energy Ode to British Music
It is near impossible to pinpoint what exactly the essence of ‘British music’ is. It is far too varied to be distilled into a single type or genre. Indeed, it spans centuries....
Review: FIREFLY is a Heartwarming Delight
FIREFLY was absolutely delightful, beautiful and charming. I suppose, how could it not be when you put two actors like Sylvaine Strike and Andrew Buckland together on stage?...
Review: CRUISE at Homecoming Centre Is Poignant, Relevant and Powerful
What did our critic think of CRUISE at Homecoming Centre?CRUISE, originally written and performed by Jack Holden, was one of the first plays to open after the COVID-19 lockdown in London, after which it moved to the West End, garnering an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play....
Review: THE KING OF BROKEN THINGS from Theatre Smiths Will Stay in Your Heart
Have you ever seen a piece of theatre that crawls into your heart and you’re happy for it to just stay there? This is how I feel after seeing THE KING OF BROKEN THINGS....
Review: MR HARE MEETS MR MANDELA and WANDA THE MUSICAL at the Homecoming Centre
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. Ou...
Review: SUEÑOS at Theatre on the Bay Is a Sensual Celebration of Spanish Music and Dance
SUEÑOS, which translates to ‘dreams’ is an ode to Andalucía in Spain and is the third collaboration between internationally acclaimed and 2020 SAMA-winning guitarist James Grace, and leading choreographer and principal dancer of South Africa’s foremost Spanish dance company, Compañía Sophi...
Review: JAKOB is beautiful magical realism at The Drama Factory
At its heart, JAKOB is a simple story. A bit of magical realism that tells the story of a boy who is different, and the way people react to someone who is different. What makes JAKOB remarkable is the way this story is told....
Review: DIE MOEDER at The Baxter Explores the Nightmarish Conclusion of Motherhood
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 Chri...
Review: IKRELE LE CHIZA…THE SERMON at Baxter Theatre Centre Is a Transcendental Experience
IKRELE LE CHIZA…THE SERMON, presented by the Baxter in collaboration with the Magnet Theatre, is a difficult to put into words – largely because of how experiential it is. Choreography and movement-heavy, this play is aptly described as ‘dream theatre’ by Director, Mandla Mbothwe....
Review: BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY is A Rocking Spectacle at The Artscape
He may have lived way before my time, but Buddy Holly’s music is some of my favourite and it’s an absolute treat to see it performed live by the talented cast of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. This musical is a toe-tapping spectacle of lights, dancing and great music....
Review: DEVIL SONG is a Chocolate Box of Macabre Delicacies
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 th...
Review: PATISSERIE FEMME's Deliciously Baked Feminism
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 loo...
Review: Fresh theatre at the ZABALAZA THEATRE FESTIVAL at the Baxter
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...
Review: KEY CHANGE hits all the right notes at Theatre On The Bay
I’ve known for some time now that Jonathon Roxmouth is a great singer. What I didn’t know until this week was that he is also brilliant on the piano, and very entertaining as the host of a show. KEY CHANGE has everything – great music and great personality....
Review: THE RANGERS at the Masambe Theatre Makes for a Riveting and Explosive Directorial Debut
THE RANGERS is a new play written and directed by Daniel Newton in his directorial debut. The 80 minute psycho-thriller is one of the most tension-wrought plays I have ever seen – and I absolutely loved it....
Review: TOM, DICK AND HARRY at Milnerton Playhouse Is Filled to the Brim with Hilarious Tomfoolery
Milnerton Playhouse’s most recent offering is the hilarious TOM, DICK AND HARRY – a farce that takes place over the course of one day in a London home. The play opens in the home of Tom (Anton Schäfer) and Linda (Grace Brain), a married couple, who are frantically preparing for the arrival of t...
Videos
|
MAMMA MIA! Artscape Opera House (9/03-10/11) |
|
|
MAMMA MIA! Artscape Theatre (9/03-10/11) |
|
Max Angioni - ANCHE MENO – ROUND FINALE Piazza Europa (7/22-7/22) |
|
Swan Lake Teatro at Montecasino (8/07-8/21) |
|
Enrico Brignano - Bello di Mamma 2026 Piazza del Duomo di Pistoia (7/06-7/06) |
|
|
MAMMA MIA! Teatro at Montecasino (10/16-11/22) |
|
PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical Teatro at Montecasino (4/24-5/31) |
|
|
MAMMA MIA! The Musical! Artscape Opera House (9/03-10/11) |
|
MAMMA MIA! The Musical! Teatro at Montecasino (10/16-11/22) |
|
Broadway to Blockbuster City Hall (6/12-6/13) |
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | |
Get South Africa's #1 Theatre Newsletter
Get the best news & discounts for South Africa Shows & beyond.
