The Call: a queer African musical reimagining Shakespeare’s The Tempest
Chesray Dolpha brings a play about queer identity in Africa to the stage.
Image: Supplied
A bold new musical is emerging from South Africa’s creative landscape, promising to dazzle Cape Town audiences this weekend. The Call, a queer African musical, places joy, artistry, and survival at the heart of its storytelling, reimagining Shakespeare’s classic The Tempest through the prism of South African history and queer lived experience. This vibrant production employs African drag as a theatrical language that shapes the narrative, conjures spectacle, and celebrates the brilliance of marginalised communities.
Brought to life by the South African-born, New York-based, Tony-nominated producer and theatre director, Chesray Dolpha, The Call is not merely a performance; it is a celebration of the colour, creativity, and resilience of queer life on the African continent. Dolpha helms a multidisciplinary team that merges local talent with international excellence, ensuring the production remains rooted in authentic experiences while aspiring towards a broader, global resonance.
A story of magic, love and transformation
The narrative of The Call begins with a plane crash into the Indian Ocean, unleashed by a cyclone conjured by the Exile, a character seeking revenge against her former husband — the President. In a twist of fate, a collection of survivors, including a former President, finds themselves marooned on a wild island. Days are consumed by the Exile's magic, while nights transform the survivors into creatures, freeing them from the confines of their ordinary lives.
Amidst enchantment and chaos, a love story blooms between the President’s Protégé and the Exile’s Child, adding layers to the revenge plot. Ultimately, the Exile faces a poignant choice between vengeance and forgiveness, granting the beings on the island their freedom. The production delves into themes of identity, transformation, and the courage to define oneself — a vivid exploration of dualities intrinsic to the human experience.
Chesray Dolpha puts a spotlight on queer identity in Africa.
Image: Loot
A club in nature: the sound and aesthetic of The Call
Conceptually, The Call is envisioned as a “club show in nature,” where the island metamorphoses into an otherworldly nightclub as dusk descends. The score, crafted with Ableton Live, prioritises beats, texture, and atmosphere over traditional musical theatre harmonies, capturing the essence of a forest's night soundscape. This musical backdrop oscillates between celebrations and moments of stillness, reflecting the vibrant energy and depth of queer life in South Africa today.
South African-born, New York-based Tony-nominated and award-winning producer and theatre director, Chesray Dolpha.
Image: Loot
A vision led by Chesray Dolpha
At the helm of this ambitious project, Chesray Dolpha weighs in on the vision for The Call. “This work is about claiming space,” she said. “It’s about joy as resistance, beauty as a political act, and telling African queer stories that exist beyond trauma.” Dolpha's leadership has united a diverse array of artists and creators, all driven by a desire to tell bold stories and foster cultural exchange.
Having risen from the Cape Flats communities of Uitsig and Belhar to glittering Broadway stages, Dolpha's journey is inspiring. She has not only become a respected figure in the musical theatre scene but also champions South African queer narratives in the global arena.
Why The Call matters now
In current times when queer identities across Africa often face erasure and violence, The Call emerges as a clarion call of resistance through joy. It uplifts queer voices, showcasing not suffering, but rather a vibrant tapestry of existence filled with celebration, colour, music, and imagination.
A first draft of the musical is already underway, with a two-week workshop scheduled in Cape Town for November 2025. The team aims to refine script and score, experiment with movement, and deepen the narrative’s South African context. A full draft is projected for completion by February 2026, positioning the work for a debut in New York and setting the stage for global engagement with its uplifting themes.
Event details:
Date: Sunday 9 November 2025.
Venue:The Outlore Base, 80 Hout St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town,Time: 14:00pmTickets available via Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/338641-the-call-a-queer-reimagining-of-the-tempest/#/