“Actress” is an award‑winning musical dramedy co‑written by and starring Talia Kodesh, following a woman navigating the many roles of life - actress, wife, mother, daughter and teacher.
Image: Facebook/The Drama Factory
Starring Talia Kodesh, co-written with Bruce Dennill and directed by Daniel Geddes, is a heartfelt, funny, and moving musical exploring the many roles women navigate in life - actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher - while balancing personal ambition and expectation.
Featuring eight original songs by Dennill, the show takes audiences on a journey from New York to South Africa, tracing the highs and lows of career, creativity, and identity. Kodesh's character experiences stress, triumph, tears and dance, ultimately finding a form of peace, even if it isn’t what she imagined.
Stephen van Niekerk as Random Props Guy, adds storytelling, humour and stagecraft, highlighting the unsung work of technicians. The music moves from introspective, reflective numbers to bold, belted showstoppers, colouring every scene.
Ultimately, "Actress" is about finding peace with oneself, embracing imperfection and understanding that identity and purpose are shaped as much by struggle as by success.
It resonates with anyone who has faced shifting expectations, career sacrifices, or the challenge of being everything to everyone, making it a relatable exploration of modern life and the pursuit of authenticity through art and personal growth.
Where: The Drama Factory.
When: Wednesday, April 8 to Sunday, April 12 at 3pm, 6pm, and 7.30pm.
Theatre production "Krismis van Map Jacobs" explores themes of change, identity and the struggle for redemption.
After seven years on parole, Jacobs' return sparks questions about who he has become.
Set against forced removals from the Cape to the Flats, the play highlights the social and communal impact of injustice, showing the lives, loves, and struggles of uprooted families.
It addresses enduring issues like unemployment, poverty and the search for forgiveness, while reflecting on the lingering wounds of Apartheid on the Cape Coloured community.
The drama captures both despair and the desperate hope for a better future.
Where: Artscape, Theatre.
When: Thursday, April 9 to Friday, April 24 at 11pm.
"Stupid Fucking Bird"
Aaron Posner’s "Stupid Fucking Bird" is a darkly funny, modern take on Chekhov’s "The Seagull", exploring humanity’s obsession with fame, love, and meaning.
Young playwright Con struggles under the shadow of his celebrated mother, Emma, while Nina pursues the irresistible Trigorin, sparking a web of unrequited desire.
The play contrasts commercial theatre, driven by celebrity, with urgent, provocative art, showing the lengths people go to be seen and valued.
Swedish director Maria Weisby blends comedy and heartbreak to highlight ambition, connection, and the human need for love, revealing how fame seduces, love confuses, and desire drives us all.
Where: The Baxter Theatre.
When: Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, May 2, at 3pm and 8pm.