For the first time in its history, the 2019 Best of Zabalaza Theatre Festival season will feature two productions at the Baxter Theatre at the end May, beginning June
Two dynamically diverse productions in the Best of Zabalaza season have been selected from the annual theatre festival, which took place earlier this year.
- Die 9de Maand will be staged from 28 May to 1 June at 8.15pm and
- Ukuwa Kwe Nkaba from 4 to 8 June at 7.30pm.
“These productions, in very different ways, present something special and powerful. The staging, the narratives and the performances in each one, are commanding”, says Zabalaza Theatre Festival curator, Mdu Kwyama. “This made it difficult for the panel of judges, who decided that they were both deserving. We are very excited about the decision, especially since a wider audience would be able to see these works.”
Die 9de Maand
Betrayal is the over-arching theme in Die 9de Maand, which means ‘the 9th Month’ and is performed in Afrikaans with an age restriction of 16 years.
Four young men share a dark and painful secret. Each one of them has a story of their own. Each one of them has been sworn to secrecy. Something happened at an “after-party” which is best left buried and forgotten. I it an unspeakable act that has muzzled them and one of them will bow under the pressure.
Written and directed by Tyron Zoutman from Lekker Jy Productions, the four-hander stars Earl Kruger, Zinedine Manus, Jay-d Sanderson and Yanick Sweers. Zoutman has consistently participated in the Baxter’s Zabalaza Theatre Festival since 2016, with great success.
Zoutman has choreographed 11 musicals, which include The Boyfriend, Hair, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sarafina, Barnum, Fiddler on the Roof and Jesus Christ Superstar. He is currently a dance and drama lecturer at Northlink College.
WHERE: Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, CapeTown 7700
WHAT & WHEN: Die 9de Maand runs from 28 May to 1 June at 8.15pm, with matinee performances Thursday 30 and Friday, 31 May and Saturday, 1 June at 3pm.
TICKETS: prices are R100 and R60 for scholars, students and for block-bookings of 10 or more. Booking is through Webtickets on 086 111 0005, online at or at Pick n Pay stores.
For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities, contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za; Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
