Cape Town stages turn up the emotion with two powerful local productions

The Chance

This play arrives in Cape Town this month with a story that steps directly into one of South Africa’s most politically charged conversations.

Written and directed by Aldo Brincat, the production explores identity, migration and belonging through the lens of a fictional white South African couple who relocate to the United States under refugee status.

Brincat says the topic immediately drew him in because of the emotional and political layers attached to it.

“All my work as a playwright revolves around matters of identity and belonging,” he explains, adding that he was struck by “the complexity of it all”, especially with voluntary migration being framed under refugee status.

The solo performance stars Henu Baden, who takes on both Francois and Leticia in what promises to be an emotionally demanding performance. Baden says the key to moving between the two characters is active listening.

“This emotional tennis then zaps these domestic scenes to life,” he says.

Although the play tackles a highly debated political topic, Brincat says the production intentionally approaches those themes through deeply personal storytelling rather than direct political messaging.

“Theatre and film deal with political issues by reducing political argument to the personal,” he added.

And discomfort, according to Brincat, is very much part of the point. “If my play does not spark uncomfortable conversations and divided reactions, I will have failed as a playwright,” he added, noting that even within Afrikaans communities, opinions around the topic remain divided.

For Baden, stepping into both perspectives has been one of the most interesting parts of the process. “In this story, I get to play both perspectives,” he explains, adding that audiences are ultimately left to decide where they stand once the performance ends.

At its core, "The Chance" examines what people are willing to risk in pursuit of a different life. Brincat compares the idea to “winning the lotto”, saying the play questions society’s obsession with advancement and whether there is always “a price to be paid” for it.

Where: Toneelhuis. 

When: Tuesday, May 12, and Wednesday, May 13, at 7pm.

Stirred Not Shaken

Lynita Crofford stars as Kathryn, a woman forced to rebuild her life after discovering her seemingly perfect marriage was built on betrayal.

Directed by Natasha Sutherland and written by Susan Hayden, the production blends humour, heartbreak and self-discovery as Kathryn navigates empty nest emotions, personal reinvention and the messy aftermath of a failed relationship.

Where: The Baxter Theatre.

When: Runs until Saturday, May 23, at 3pm and 8pm.