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SCENE IT: Delicious KARAMONK, a spicy treat
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
Barbara Loots
KARAMONK, currently onstage at the Baxter’s Masambe Thetare until 25 July 2026, is a collection of stories presented in the Kamishibai style, with cabaret interludes, all charmingly performed by Bianca Flanders, guided by the directorial insights of South Africa’s Kamishibai authority, Jemma Khan.
KARAMONK is where Cabaret meets Kamishibai, as only the theatre duo of Flanders and Khan can conceptualise and stage. They describe it as a “smorgasbord of theatrical bites” and a “very-saucy-almost-picture-book-reading-for-mostly-grown-ups”.
Kamishibai (‘paper play’) is a traditional form of Japanese street theatre that is rooted in a communal sharing of folktales. Karamonk in turn is the Cape Malay term for cardamom. Much like stories, spices (when perfectly blended in food) feed our souls as much as our stomachs. Taking the spice of life as an overarching theme, KARAMONK employs the Kamishibai style of story-telling, paring that with Cabaret –which in itself is a tongue-in-cheek style of theatre birthed in a bohemian establishment that merged food, drinks and live performance– and gives it all a uniquely South African character.
KARAMONK initially lures you in with sugary lyrics, an ode to koesisters that will leave you craving that sweet treat well after the end of the show, disarming you with charm, and then teasing you with tales that oscillate between the weird and the dark, with a good dose of comedy running through it all.
Each writer was given a different word, creating a vibrant mix of stories that range from the provocative to the playful. The eclectic mix ensures that there’s certainly going to be a story that tickles your funny bone or tugs at your heartstrings. The five featured stories are ‘Pinky's Penny Polony’ by Mikayla Joy Brown, ‘Read the Room’ by Jemma Kahn, ‘Vanishing, From the Airport at Night’ by Ronelda Kamfer, ‘Zip, Die Clairvoyant Kat’ by Tertius Kapp, and ‘Here, here, here, Now, now, now’ by Lebogang Mogashoa. All these stories are accompanied by story boards beautifully illustrated by Kyle Jardine, Iman Isaacs, Rebecca Haysom and Kahn herself.
Although each story has its own appealing hook, I’m willing to bet Zip may be many a people’s favourite. The two stories that personally spoke to me the most were ‘Pinky’s Penny Polony’ (a story that seems deceptively simple, almost juvenile at first, but then packs a time-travelling political commentary punch in the most unexpected way) and ‘Vanishing, From the Airport at Night’ (a literal and figuratively thrilling ride that ups the adrenaline levels through emotive bite sized storytelling).
Flanders composed all the songs that form the interludes between stories, showing off her musical prowess with stunning vocals and fingers that effortlessly glide over the keyboard. Songs include ‘Karamonk’, ‘Agnes’, and my ultimate favourite that leaves a lump in the throat, ‘Kara Kleintjies’. A performer of note, Flanders has the audience in the palm of her hand from beginning to end, and makes it all seem very personal in the intimate space of the Masambe.
With its sharp narrative, catchy tunes, and visually appealing storytelling, KARAMONK offers audiences a delightful night at the theatre. At 70 minutes this is a bite sized theatre offering you are strongly encouraged to go sink your teeth into… it may just spice up your life in the most delicious manner. Tickets can be booked through Webtickets.