South Africa Theater Reviews

Review: TRIAL AND ERROR at Baxter Theatre Centre Explores Law as Theatre
by Jaime Uranovsky - September 08, 2024

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
by Jaime Uranovsky - September 06, 2024

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 special kin...

Review: MURDER ON THE NILE at the Masque Theatre Is a Voyage of Love, Loss, Revenge
by Jaime Uranovsky - August 24, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - August 19, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - August 13, 2024

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
by Michelle B Lewis - July 29, 2024

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 cultural ...

Review: Dive Into Teenage Angst and Then Some With HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL
by Faeron Wheeler - July 22, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - July 16, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - July 11, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - July 08, 2024

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”
by Jaime Uranovsky - June 23, 2024

Review: HOLLYWOOD at Theatre on the Bay Is Another LAMTA “Blockbuster”...

Review: BLONDE POISON at Baxter Studio - Baxter Theatre Centre
by Michelle B Lewis - June 20, 2024

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
by Michelle B Lewis - June 20, 2024

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
by Michelle B Lewis - June 13, 2024

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
by Faeron Wheeler - June 07, 2024

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....

Review: THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES is on tour
by Faeron Wheeler - May 31, 2024

I do love a fresh twist on a classic fairytale! And THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES from The Drama Factory definitely delivers. It's vibrant and fun, with laughs for young and old....

Review: ANDRE SCHWARTZ: ANY DREAM WILL DO – MY PAD MET WEBBER at Theatre On The Bay
by Michelle B Lewis - May 30, 2024

MY PAD MET WEBBER is an enthralling theatrical experience starring ANDRé SCHWARTZ, celebrating the timeless works of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The production features Schwartz's powerful interpretations of Webber's most beloved songs, blending moving storytelling with beautiful music....

Review: BAKED SHAKESPEARE: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA at the Outlore Base Has Cape Town Abuzz(ing)
by Jaime Uranovsky - May 29, 2024

Of the four baked Shakespeare productions that have been staged in Cape Town since 2021, I have been lucky enough to have seen three of them. 2024’s show, THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA is, in my book, the group’s best production yet and provides a fun, relaxed, and interactive night at the theatre....

Review: GOLDEN GIRLS at Masque Theatre Is a Hilarious and Moving Tribute to the Classic TV Show
by Jaime Uranovsky - May 29, 2024

GOLDEN GIRLS is one of those TV shows – you know the ones I mean. Those with a fan base whose members would murder to preserve the sanctity of the show in question. It was brave then to stage a show comprising four episodes of this beloved sitcom – but it proved an excellent choice because GOLDEN GI...

Review: DOG ROSE Explores Family Dynamics with Grace
by Faeron Wheeler - May 28, 2024

It was beautiful and I am so thankful for that moment of being drawn into this world. The writing and performances were funny and heartfelt, and you should definitely experience it for yourself....

Review: TROUBLE IN MIND at the Flipside Provides Hilarious and Tragic Social Commentary
by Jaime Uranovsky - May 28, 2024

I’ve always loved seeing plays at the Flipside at the Baxter. Something about observing a production performed in the actual backstage area of the theatre makes me feel like I’m on hallowed ground – I’m somewhere that is sacred, special and usually off limits to the public. These feelings became eve...

Review: I GOT RHYTHM from choreographer David Nixon CBE
by Faeron Wheeler - May 21, 2024

I GOT RHYTHM kicks off the season that marks 90 years of Cape Town City Ballet. And that is something that we should be truly proud of here in the cape. I was curious to see that CTCB went with something non-traditional for the start of this big season. I GOT RHYTHM celebrates the music of George Ge...

Review: THE KING OF BROKEN THINGS at Baxter Studio - Baxter Theatre Centre
by Michelle B Lewis - May 13, 2024

This bittersweet adventurous and magical excursion into the rehabilitation of broken and discarded objects will have you immediately enthralled from the opening sounds of children teasing and taunting right through to the end....

Review: AMADEUS at Theatre On The Bay
by Faeron Wheeler - April 28, 2024

AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer is widely regarded as an absolute classic play from the 20th century. The words flow off the page with a rise and fall that can mimic great music - exactly what is needed to tell the story of the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri. What I loved most about this offering from ...

Review: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY at the Avalon Auditorium Is a Musical Journey of Self-Discovery
by Jaime Uranovsky - April 25, 2024

Most of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals comprise a large cast and elaborate sets. TELL ME ON A SUNDAY is different: this understated, one-woman musical tells the story of Emma, a Brit who journeys to America to find a man and who ends up finding herself along the way....