Theatre
Moffie, André Carl van der Merwe’s bruising coming-of-age novel, adapted by Philip Rademeyer and directed by Greg Karvellas is playing at the Baxter’s Flipside stage. It opened in London in 2024 to rave reviews; this is its SA premiere. Moffie is set in 1979, and is about a young, gay, conscript (played by David Viviers) who is sent to fight in Border War. Trigger alert! That awful mix of anger and futility will likely resurface if you, too, were an unwilling conscript. The play will be unrelenting and riveting. Rated PG16, it contains mature themes such as strong language, prejudice, descriptions of violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and suicide. If you recognise the story, it was also produced as a film in 2019. Runs 2-27 September. Tickets cost R150–R240 via Webtickets. By the way, if you’re over 50, you may remember André Carl’s unique and colourful shirts for which he became somewhat famous. He started off selling them at the fleamarket in Newton, Jhb.
2021 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, Thando Doni, has his work, Purpose, running at the Baxter Studio from 16-20 September. This is the blurb: “In a world filled with so much doubt and understanding of what Maths and physics can’t explain to us, Purpose follows the narrative of a young man dealing with the complexities of being summoned to be a traditional healer.” Performed in English and Xhosa, I’m intrigued. Tickets cost R65 to R120, available on Webtickets. Check out the Critter’s review of his 2021 work at the National Arts Festival here.
The ol’ razzle-dazzle big smash musical Chicago runs at the Artscape Opera House until 28 September. Big numbers, earworm songs like All That Jazz: a galz date or the show your parents shell out the dough for. Dress fancy and lean into it. Tickets cost R200 to R580, available through Ticketmaster.
Pieter-Dirk Uys turns 80! The Artscape, in partnership with Suidoosterfees, honoured the country’s Top Tannie by bringing two of his most-loved plays to the stage. No Space on Long Street, starring Terence Bridgett, directed by Basil Appollis, resurrects the Space Theatre’s wild 1970s characters. Runs 10-13 September. Book here. African Times, directed by Thokozile Ntshinga, imagines a cabinet minister returning from Beijing to a family reckoning. Runs 17-20 September. Book here. Tickets cost R120.
Community Theatre inspired by the Ukukhanya Arts Project and the work of scientist-artist Clive Gray, Masiphumelele Ontogeny follows two decades in Masiphumelele township through portraits of young people photographed regularly since 2004, tracing their resilience and growth. Written and directed by Luxolo Rapula Mboso with Abueng Junior, it is a blend of poetry, photography, physical theatre and live storytelling at Theatre Arts in Observatory. Runs 5-6 September. Tickets cost R100, available here.
Cottonwool Kid returns to Theatre Arts in Observatory from 23-27 for a full run! Directed by Sylvaine Strike, performed by the inimitableToni Morkel, the work is loosely based on Morkel’s own autobiographical material. Little girl CK journeys with her loyal dog Luigi, digging through the burdens left by careless parents. Morkel and Strike are phenomenal theatre makers and performers. Physical theatre magic like this is rare. Had a mini run in June, don’t miss it. Tickets cost R180, with student tickets at R150, available here.
It was thee show of the National Arts Festival in June. SALT runs at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from 17-27 September. A triple bill of works by Kirsten Isenberg, Michelle Reid and multi-award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. Presented by Cape Ballet Africa. Tickets range from R350 to R450, available via Webtickets.
Comedy
A SeCrEt dOoRrR *woooo…. Sneak through a bookshelf like a Barbie princess at the Cape Town Club for some funny, funny ha-ha’s. Comedian Mojak Lehoko headlines with Lerato Sokulu, Jaryd Pillay, hosted by Nkosinathi Maki on 6 September for Secret Cellar Premium Comedy Night. Tickets range between R180–R240 on Quicket.
What saucy story would you tell at Raunchy Renditions? Did you send your mother a picture of your lover’s bedroom, with the silhouette of a phallic plaything on the nightstand? Find the funny in these quirky sex-positive stories and cheeky confessions. Will be at the Ground Culture Cafe in Observatory on 20 September. Tickets are R120 ( early bird) to R160 (full price) via Quicket
Music
The UCT Jazz Festival takes place at the Baxter Concert Hall on 23 September. Arranged by the South African College of Music Jazz staff, the festival features performances by the UCT Big Band and guests, a jazz vocal showcase and selected jazz ensembles. Evening concerts begin at 7pm, with free lunchtime Library Desk concerts at 1pm in the W. H. Bell Music Library. Tickets cost R50 to R150, while UCT students attend for free. Available on Webtickets.
BOO! & Nomadic Orchestra play the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay on 6 September. BOO! is a genre-defying SA band known for their quirky “monkipunk” sound and high-energy shows with Chris Chameleon and Riaan van Rensburg at the helm. Nomadic Orchestra is brassy, groovy, somewhat Balkan tunes. Have a lekker danse. Doors open at 5pm, music starts at 6pm. Tickets cost R200, available on Quicket. But please, don’t use AI-generated content to promote your tours 🙁 especially when your poster is hot pink and fab.
Jazz vocalist Babalwa Mentjies leads an all-female band in Intsholo Yama Nina at The Athletic Club & Social on 3 September. Thembi Dunjana on piano, Tiana Amari Rwanqana on bass, Chanté Phillips on drums, Danél Dippenaar on sax, and Hope Hadebe on trombone. Tickets cost R200, book on Quicket.
Psychedelic crystalised shards of sensual MANA. The singer and her five-piece band are dreamlike jazz, neo-folk surrealscapes. The Cape Town stop of her Orb Spring Tour celebrates the launch of the Orb EP, MANA plays Gorgeous George on 12 September. Tickets cost R100, available on Quicket.
Festivals
From 22-28 September, Global event WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) at wine farms, the V& A Waterfront, the Desmond Tutu Humanity Concert at St George’s Cathedral on 26 September, and a BUNCH of international artists. The program is packed with shows, tastings, workshops etc. Check it here: https://womadsa.co.za/program-
Go listen to some fascinating talks on topics from authors, therapists, poets, AI experts, and award-winners at the Open Book Festival, then buy a local book! From 5 to 7 September at the Homecoming Centre in District Six, travel into town and expand your imagination and mindset. Tickets start at R50, RSVP is required even for free events. Might be your chance to argue with a philosopher over the mic. Full programme at openbookfestival.co.za. Note, if you’re a bibliophile, or just a lover of real conversation, Open Book is the event of the year.
Opportunities for Artists
There’s a call to participate in MusicDance 2025, running from 29 November to 13 December. Applications close 20 September. MusicDance Cape Town is a performance residency for dancers and musicians, supported by Theatre Arts since 2018. Now in its eighth year, the project brings together artists from diverse genres with an emphasis on interdisciplinary, real-time composition. Audiences are invited to witness new collaborations and unique expressions in music and dance performance.
Soapboxing runs at Theatre Arts in Observatory on 28 September at 7 pm. Curated by Natalie Fraser, it’s a low-stakes, high-fun performance space for artists to test new work. Audiences get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creative process in a supportive environment. Tickets cost R100 available via Theatre Arts. Could be kak, could be fun, that’s the magic.