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PRESS: Two powerful stories showcased at the 2026 Baxter ZABALAZA FINEST OF THE FEST
Baxter Theatre
The two Finest of the Fest winning productions at the 2026 Zabalaza Theatre Festival –UNTIL I ARRIVE and KINNES VAN SOMERS– come to the Baxter Studio for one week each. Celebrated director, Sylvaine Strike, is creative supervisor to both productions and mentor on KINNES VAN SOMERS.
UNTIL I ARRIVE kicks off the programme, with performances from 29 September 2026 to 3 October 2026. This is a deeply personal and moving one-woman, physical theatre work, written, directed and performed by Lindokuhle Melaphi, who also won Best Script at the festival. The story follows a female soldier in search of belonging. Her greatest battle is not on the front lines but within her own mind. She has built her identity around strength, control, and resilience in a male-dominated military environment. The play explores the stigma in uniformed services and the cost of silence. It questions the following: What does real strength look like, and what is the value of asking for help? The acclaimed and award-winning, Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni (Rise ’76, Delela and Neighbourhood), is the mentor on the production. The play is performed in English and some isiXhosa, with surtitles. UNTIL I ARRIVE carries an age restriction of 13 years.
The second Zabalaza Finest of the Fest winner, KINNES VAN SOMERS, on stage from 6 to 10 October 2026. It boldly reimagines South African folklore and breaths new life into an old Afrikaans cautionary folk tale. This gripping new theatre production recalls the oral stories and warnings in the shadows of a small community where myths, lullabies and curses intertwine. Directed by Tamsyn Alexander and Hanro Cloete, the play is devised and performed by Caitlyn Haywood, Irmah Jeleza Tiemie, Katelynne Matthews, Tameka Petersen and Tamsyn Alexander, who collectively bring Antjie and many other characters to life on stage. Performed in Afrikaans and English, with surtitles, the play explores themes of identity, fear, inheritance and transformation. There is age restriction of 14 years and parental guidance is advised.
The Zabalaza Finest of the Fest season is made possible by the City of Cape Town, Makwande Empowerment Trust, Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, HCI Foundation, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and Nati. Bookings for UNTIL I ARRIVE (29 September 2026 to 3 October 2026) and KINNES VAN SOMERS (6 to 10 October 2026) are through Webtickets online or at Pick ‘n Pay stores.
UNTIL I ARIVE
Written, performed and directed by: Lindokuhle Melaphi
Mentor: Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni
Creative supervisor: Sylvaine Strike
Venue: Baxter Studio
Dates: 28 Sep to 3 Oct 2026
Times: 11:00 Matinee & 20:00 Daily | 14:00Matinee Sat 3 Oct 2026
Ticket Price: R80 - R120. Available through Webtickets online or at Pick ‘n Pay stores.
KINNES VAN SOMERS
Developed, performed by: Tamsyn Alexander
Directed by: Tamsyn Alexander and Hanro Cloete
Devised and performed by: Caitlyn Haywood, Irmah Jeleza Tiemie, Katelynne Matthews, Tameka Petersen and Tamsyn Alexander
Mentor and creative supervisor: Sylvaine Strike
Technical support: Malibongwe Bonakele and Nokulunga Masai
Venue: Baxter Studio
Dates: 6 to 10 October 2026
Times: 11:00 Matinee & 20:00 Daily | 14:00Matinee Sat 11 Oct 2026
Ticket Price: R80 - R120. Available through Webtickets online or at Pick ‘n Pay stores.