SamSays

𝑷𝙊𝑹𝙏𝑹𝘼𝑰𝙏𝑺 𝑶𝙁 𝙋𝑯𝙀𝑻𝙇𝑨

South African dancer Kitty Phetla is a national treasure.

SamSays was privileged to capture her during rehearsals for The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet at the Joburg Ballet studios in Braamfontein.

The epitome of poetry in motion, Phetla's presence is breathtaking. Strength, grace, artistry and experience combine in a performer who commands attention without ever seeming to demand it.

See Kitty Phetla on stage in THE BACCHAE: AN AFRICAN CHORAL BALLET at Joburg Theatre from 3–12 July.

An extraordinary collaboration between Joburg Ballet, University of Johannesburg Choir and University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture.

Tickets Webtickets
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1588362657

We Are South Africans
Friends of the Ballet

PETER PAN JR
At the Peoples Theatre | 9 June - 26 July

A glorious production by the Peoples Theatre and a wonderful opportunity to take the kids to the theatre this winter holiday.

If you don't have your own children or grandchildren, find some to borrow because you'll need an excuse to see this show.

Peter Pan is such a universally loved story and this version is vibrant, colourful, bright, energetic, fun and interactive.

The richly layered costumes by Luciano Zuppa are packed with detail, while Grant Knottenbelt's set and lighting design create a world that feels both magical and inviting.

Brilliant musical direction by Coenraad Rall and musical staging by Sandy Richardson-Dyer keep things moving at a rollocking pace.

Director Jill Girard, whose remarkable instinct for children's theatre is evident in every scene has an exceptional understanding of what captures young imaginations while keeping the adults thoroughly entertained too.

The adult cast are experienced children's theatre "veterans" and engage the audience effortlessly from the moment the story begins. Their musicality and energy are contagious.

Raymond Skinner is an evergreen Peter Pan and fits the role perfectly making full use of the stage as he leaps about joyfully.

Bethany-Joy Jiyane is radiantly beautiful as Tiger Lily and Mrs Darling - just look at the photos. I love her voice so much.

Junior Geel is regal as Big Chief Sitting Bull and perfectly pirate-y as one of Captain Hook's sidekicks. I suspect another role in disguise here too - costume changes galore!

The pairing of Lesedi Rich as Captain Hook and Luciano Zuppa as Smee provides so much mirth that I would happily watch the show again just to see these two bantering on stage. Rich fills the auditorium with comic presence while Zuppa's wonderfully disarming Smee steals hearts.

And then there are the children.

What a strong young cast.

Peo-entle Pitso (whom I last saw as Matilda) is delightful as Tinker Bell. Wendy, played by Tholoane-entle Pitso, is warm and engaging, while John (Gabriel Celliers or Kai du Rand, depending on the performance) and Michael (Qhawe Nxumalo) make up a perfect Darling sibling trio. Little Michael's delight during the medicine scene is particularly charming.

The Lost Boys and Braves bring tremendous energy to the production, and special mention must go to Harmony Magodi, who takes on the roles of Pirate, Brave and Liza. She brings a luminous stage presence to every character she portrays.

As always, one of the joys of a Peoples Theatre production is seeing young performers sharing the stage with seasoned professionals, learning their craft while creating theatre that delights audiences of all ages - and having such fun while they do it.

A magical outing for the winter holidays and plenty of smiles as we left the theatre.

Tickets Webtickets
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593190345

We Are South Africans

Children's Cast in the SamSays photos
Yellow Group
Peo-entle Pitso - Tinker Bell
Tholoane-entle Pitso - Wendy
Gabriel Celliers - John and Lost Boy
Kai du Rand - John and Lost Boy
Qhawe Nxumalo - Michael
Eythan Govender - Pirate and Crocodile
Nhlohletelo Sekgolobo - Lost Boy
Khwezi Monapahti - Lost Boy
Reiya Govender - Lost Boy
Zakhele Kunene - Brave
Tshegofatso Ramonyai - Brave
Sophia Pillay - Brave
Harmony Magodi - Pirate, Brave and Liza

HOT MIKADO
Fairtree Atterbury Teater/Theatre 5-9 Aug

Something hot is coming to Pretoria.

Hot Mikado is a vibrant, high-energy musical presented by Full House Theatre Productions in collaboration with the ATKV and Pretoria FM.

Blending infectious jazz rhythms, laugh-out-loud comedy, dynamic choreography and bold storytelling, the production reimagines Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved classic with a fresh contemporary energy and distinctive South African flair.

This electrifying jazz and swing musical offers a bold South African reimagining of Gilbert and Sullivan's classic comic opera, filled with infectious rhythms, laugh-out-loud comedy, and spectacular live storytelling - performed on one of Pretoria's finest stages.

Hot Mikado features a stellar cast led by Reinier "Rainy" van Zyl as Nanki-Poo, Naledi Award-nominated Ntokozo Manyoni, and international film star Jacques Gombault as the Mikado. Directed by Wilf Mahne and produced by a veteran creative team under Gertjan Holtzhausen.

Tickets www.seatme.co.za
https://www.seatme.co.za/events/hot-mikado-the-musical

MALUME: No One To Tell
The Bioscope Independent Cinema at 44 Stanley this Friday 19 June at 12h00

In September 2025 we attended the trailer launch of MALUME: No One To Tell. We met some of the cast, writer and director, Dr Brown and co-producer Kamogelo Motsamai.

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙂𝘽𝙑 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝘼 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙.

This is "A Youth Month celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the next generation of South African filmmakers.

Join CivSource South Africa, this Youth Month for the official premiere of MALUME, a powerful local film brought to life by a talented team of young South African creatives.

Hosted at The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg, this special screening celebrates the creativity, resilience, and storytelling power of South Africa's youth. From concept to production, MALOME represents the work of a new generation of filmmakers, actors, and storytellers committed to sharing authentic stories that reflect our communities and lived experiences.

More than a film screening, this event is an opportunity to support emerging talent, engage in meaningful conversation, and celebrate the role of youth in shaping South Africa's cultural and creative future.

Expect:

• An exclusive screening of MALOME

• A conversation with the cast and creative team

• Networking and community engagement opportunities

• A celebration of youth-led storytelling during Youth Month

Whether you are passionate about film, storytelling, youth development, or supporting local creatives, we invite you to be part of this memorable evening.

Come celebrate the voices, stories, and creative potential of South Africa's youth."

Tickets Quicket South Africa
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/377768-malome-youth-voices-on-the-big-screen/ #/

Or contact:
Dr Brown 073 971 6957
Phola Gasa 064 979 6043
Kamogelo Motsamai 073 860 0631


TOP WON'T DROP -TWD
Antakalipa

THE BACCHAE: AN AFRICAN CHORAL BALLET
Joburg Theatre 3-12 July

Be excited! Be very, very excited!!

Joburg Ballet the University of Johannesburg Choir and the University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture are creating magic as they "join forces in a bold reimagining of the Euripides classic: The Bacchae. A world-first Choral Ballet that reimagines Euripides’ iconic tragedy through a uniquely South African lens"

A phenomenal creative team:
Director Jay Pather
Choreographer Mthuthuzeli November
Composer Neo Muyanga.

Book now. Thank me later. It is going to be epic.

Tickets Webtickets
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1588362657

Photos SamSays:
In rehearsal at the beautiful Joburg Ballet studios in Braamfontein - Monike Cristina, Revil Yon, Savannah Jacobson and Gabrielle Fairhead

We Are South Africans
Friends of the Ballet

*Follow this story this week - there is so much to share*

It begins in the beautiful Joburg Ballet studios in Braamfontein -always inspiring awe.

Light, reflections, movement, change, shifting seasons, blue, silver, shimmery grey, shadows, dancers, a rehearsal....something magnificent is coming.

THE BACCHAE: AN AFRICAN CHORAL BALLET

Joburg Ballet and the University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture are creating magic as they "join forces in a bold reimagining of the Euripides classic: The Bacchae. A world-first Choral Ballet that reimagines Euripides’ iconic tragedy through a uniquely South African lens"

Opens on Friday 3 July at Joburg Theatre and runs to Sunday 12 July.

A phenomenal team:
Director Jay Pather
Choreographer Mthuthuzeli November
Composer Neo Muyanga.

Book now. Thank me later. It is going to be epic.

Tickets Webtickets
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1588362657

Photos SamSays....more coming....

We Are South Africans

RICHARD O'BRIEN'S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
At Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio until 16 August

The original production of The Rocky Horror Show premiered on 19 June 1973 at the Theatre Upstairs in London's Royal Court Theatre. It was an extraordinarily small venue - just 63 seats in an attic.

Never conceived as a large-scale musical it was written by a frustrated actor, Richard O'Brien (an actor with an itch to scratch), and directed by Jim Sharman, a (luckily) visionary Australian with a taste for the unconventional.

Sci-fi. B-grade horror films. Comic books. Glam rock. Pop culture. Magic. And more than a pinch of madness. A score that embraced many genre's - early rock 'n roll, glam icons, doo-wop, torch songs and energy through the roof.

The original cast performed in very close proximity to the audience, and the atmosphere was intimate, edgy and immersive rather than spectacular. Audience interaction and the sense of being "inside the party" were built into the very DNA of this show. And it was scandalous!!

The success of that tiny production led to a move, within two months, to the 230-seat Chelsea Classic Cinema and then to the 500-seat King's Road Theatre, where it ran for many years.

And now…

It slithers into the 400-seat Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio for an eight-week season.

And it couldn't be better.

It begins when you enter the auditorium - greeted by "phantoms" setting the tone for the naughtiness that is about to begin… and then the Usherette steps onto the stage and the audience is transfixed. Any thoughts of "Rocky Horror... again?" simply disappear into the ether as Jasmine Minter's vocals sn**ch your attention away from your phone, your to-do list and anything remotely mundane.

As Magenta, she is glorious too - one half of a sibling pairing completed by the staggeringly superb Schoeman Smit as Riff Raff. Love, love, love him in this role (and any other role).

I get the feeling that Craig Urbani loves this show, loves this role, and for that we thank the theatre gods. Thank goodness we get to see him reprising Frank-n-Furter once again. The way he owns the stage, the physicality, the vocals, the innuendo, the humour, the s*x appeal, his legs in fish nets... he makes this role his own while reminding us exactly why Frank remains one of musical theatre's most iconic creations. IMO no-one could inhabit Frank the way Urbani does.

Frank's creation - the super-buff, oiled and beautifully vacant Rocky, played by Micah Stojakovic combines the character's physical perfection with spot-on Bambi-like naivety and baffled bewilderment.

Anne Power takes over from Natasha Sutherland as the Narrator for the Johannesburg run and is sublimely all-business BBC authority. The perfect foil to the delicious chaos unfolding around her. A fabulously up(t)right performance.

And then there are Brad and Janet. Robert Everson and Léa Blerk are perfectly cast. Blerk is almost impossible to take your eyes off - strikingly, innocently beautiful, with a captivating stage presence - while Everson channels an earnest Clark Kent energy that makes Brad's journey all the more entertaining.

Now let's talk about Columbia. Dear Anna Olivier, you are radiant. You inhabit this role with bubbling, effervescent joy, wearing your heart entirely on your sleeve. Columbia's emotional roller coaster is in very safe hands, and Olivier delivers it all with enormous warmth, vulnerability and phenomenal dance ability. Gorgeous!

Zak Hendricks' appearances as Eddie and later Dr Everett Scott feel far too brief. One moment he's tearing onto the stage to the sounds of a motorcycle and the next he's demonstrating remarkable agility in a wheelchair. Both performances leave you wanting more.

The ever-present ensemble are magnificent, adding layers of harmony, energy and s*xiness in abundance. Simone Neethling, Alessia Gironi, Gabriella Knight, Miguel de Sampaio, Sasha Duffy, Taya Pearson and Tjaart van der Walt ooze talent and stage presence.

This is not a spectacle to be viewed from a distance - here you can feel the audience around you, hear the reactions, join the madness and become part of the experience - a party that you're invited to join. And as you throw your inhibitions away, you are so glad that you did.

Superb direction by Steven Stead, choreography by Duane Alexander and Naoline Quinzin, set (Greg King) and costume (Terrence Bray) design, lighting (Faheem Bardien), sound (David Classen) and musical direction (Kevin Kraak and Jaco Griessel).

Thank you LAMTA - Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy and Pieter Toerien Productions. It's a must!! Yippee!!

Tickets Webtickets
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1588311851

We Are South Africans