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PRESS: Two new one-man shows to premiere at the Baxter’s Masambe Theatre
- Theatre Scene Cape Town
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Christine Skinner
Two compelling new South African theatre productions have their premiere at The Baxter Masambe Theatre this July, both adaptations of fascinating stories.
BLOOD & SILVER is a gripping one-man play based on the memoir of environmental lawyer Jan Glazewski, who embarked on a perilous journey in search of the long-lost family treasure buried 80 years ago in Poland – armed with only his father’s hand-drawn map.
Jan’s epic search for these heirlooms becomes a deeper journey of survival, legacy, and love.
Directed by internationally acclaimed, multi award-winning director Fred Abrahamse (Julius Caesar; Hamlet), the production stars seasoned actor David Muller (Oom Schalk; Imagining Einstein ) in the role of Glazewski. The book has been adapted for the stage by Abrahamse and Muller. The play will be presented from 8 to 12 July in The Baxter Masambe Theatre.
David Muller also collaborates with award-winning actor Bizo Maxegwana to present another one-man show, ADAPTATION OF NIKOLAI GOGOL’S DIARY OF A MADMAN, which will run from 15 to19 July.
In the powerful production of BLOOD & SILVER, Muller brings to life Glazewski’s extraordinary journey, beginning with a tragic childhood marked by haemophilia, an HIV/AIDS diagnosis from a blood transfusion, and the overwhelming odds he faced growing up.
Says Director Fred Abrahamse, “The play delves deeper into Glazewski’s quest to fulfil his late father’s final wish: to recover the family’s heirlooms, buried in a forest before the invasion of Poland during World War II. As the Germans in collaboration with the Russians turned his homeland into a warzone, the treasure remained hidden, and the journey to reclaim it forms the heart of BLOOD & SILVER.”
“BLOOD & SILVER is a memorable and deeply moving theatrical experience that captures the remarkable true story of survival, loss, and determination. It is vital that historic stories like Jan’s, that are highly personal but speak to a universal humanity, find new ways to be shared for a greater audience, ” says Abrahamse.
Jan Glazewski was born in South Africa in 1953 and is the son of Polish refugee parents who left eastern Poland (now western Ukraine) at the outbreak of World War II.
“When I wrote BLOOD & SILVER, I thought that if it could inspire just one person, the story would be worth sharing. I am overwhelmed by the incredible response it has received and seeing it on stage will add a whole new dimension,” says Jan Glazewski.
“I feel privileged to be entrusted with representing the delicate fabric of Jan Glazewski’s extraordinary life,” says David Muller. “It’s also been a double delight for me this winter, collaborating with Bizo Maxegwana to present another new one man show with the ADAPTATION OF NIKOLAI GOGOL’S DIARY OF A MADMAN.”
The ADAPTATION OF NIKOLAI GOGOL’S DIARY OF A MADMAN will be performed from 15 to 19 July in The Baxter Masambe Theatre.
DIARY OF A MADMAN was originally written by Nikolai Gogol in 1835 as part of his collection of short stories, Arabesques. It has since been adapted into various different versions created in theatres around the world.
This fresh new production is directed by David Muller and features rising star Bizo Maxegwana (Best Actor Award 2024 48-Hour Film Project) as Thabo Kani, a secretary in parliament.
In thinking he is the next leader of South Africa, Thabo, at times comically, creates events which he believes are true. Thabo's frustration is amplified by the destruction of the government and the brokenness of the system. As he becomes enemy number one to the state, he becomes an enemy to his own sanity.
“Gogol's brilliant literary style, with the complexity of his central character and the profound commentary the story offers on mental health and societal oppression, ensures these remain relevant themes to the present and beyond,” says Maxegwana.
“It has been a delightfully stimulating process to explore ways of adapting this universal story to a South African stage.”
ADAPTATION OF NIKOLAI GOGOL’S DIARY OF A MADMAN is adapted for the stage by David Muller and Bizo Maxegwana. Direction, Costume, Set and Lighting Design is by David Muller.
BLOOD & SILVER will be performed from 8 to 12 July.
Performances:
Tues – Sat at 19h30
Tues at 10am
Thurs & Sat 15h00
Tickets cost R140 – R180 with concessions available.
Bookings can be made at Webtickets
ADAPTATION OF NIKOLAI GOGOL’S DIARY OF A MADMAN will run at The Baxter Masambe Theatre from 15 to 19 July
Performances:
Tues – Sat 19h30
Thurs & Sat 15h00
Tickets cost R140-R180
Bookings can be made at Webtickets