Kafka’s Ape, returns home to South Africa after touring internationally for a decade to overwhelming praise and success, taking centre stage at the Baxter Studio from 26 March to 12 April 2025..
This powerful one-hander, directed by Phala O Phala and performed by Tony Bonani Miyambo, is a powerful adaptation of Franz Kafka’s short story, A Report to an Academy.
A primate named Red Peter, delivers a devastating report to the Academy, confronting the complexities of identity and the dangers of othering. Through a metaphorical lens, Kafka’s Ape presents humanity held to an ape’s mirror, sparking crucial reflections on society and our place within it.
Kafka’s Ape is a testament to the power of South Africa’s independent theatre-making, showcasing the country’s vibrant creative talent on global stages, such as the Rwanda Genocide Memorial and the Royal Academy in London. The production has been hailed as “a masterpiece of physical theatre” (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and “Empathy-driven and incredibly powerful” at the Perth Fringe Festival. WeekendSpecial simply described it as “superb” while Call off the Search said, “One-Man show cracks head and heart wide open”.
Miyambo’s tour-de-force performance has also earned him numerous accolades, which include the Silver Ovation award at the National Arts Festival, The Outstanding Performance Award at Prague Fringe Festival 2019, Best Satire Award at New York’s United Solo Festival, The Graham F Smith Peace Foundation Award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021 and the prestigious Lustrum award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024, amongst others.
WELCOME BACK to Cape Town. See you at The Baxter!
WHAT: Kafka’s Ape
WHERE: Baxter Studio ,
WHEN: 26 March to 12 April 2025 at 8pm with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
TICKETS & BOOKING: Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores. | For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities, contact Carmen Kearns T 021 680 3993 or E carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za
INFO: T 021 685 7880 | E carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za | VISIT
PHOTO: (c) Zivanai Matangi
