South African theatre icon, satirist and social activist Pieter-Dirk Uys turns 80 on 28 September 2025, and the Artscape Theatre, in partnership with the Suidoosterfees arts festival, will honour this milestone with a double bill of his work this September.
The celebrations are supported by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Cape Town.
From 10 to 20 September 2025, audiences can experience
- No Space on Long Street, directed by Basil Appollis and starring Terence Bridgett, followed by
- African Times, directed by Thoko Ntshinga and starring Nosiphiwo Ndabeni, Olwethu Qavile, Busisiwe Mrubata and Sunny Yoon.
In No Space on Long Street, Bridgett transforms into a vivid range of boisterous and fabulous characters from Cape Town’s legendary Space Theatre era – the pulsating soul of drama, dance, comedy, puppetry and political resistance in the 1970s and 80s. This one-man show is a heartfelt salute to Long Street itself and the people who lived and worked there.
African Times is a sharp, contemporary exploration of South Africa’s democracy, following senior cabinet minister Dr MZ Nkosi and his daughter Karabo as they return from a sanctions-busting visit to Beijing. Confronting political nostalgia, prejudice and the harsh truths of a changing world, the Nkosi family must face the struggle ahead.
Pieter-Dirk Uys, known internationally for his fearless satire and his alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout, has spent decades challenging South Africans to laugh, think and confront uncomfortable truths. His accolades include the TMSA Naledi Lifetime Achiever Award, the Berlin International Film Festival Special Teddy Award, the Hertzog Prize for drama, and honorary doctorates from Rhodes University, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape.
About Pieter-Dirk Uys
Born in 1945 in Cape Town, Pieter-Dirk Uys has spent decades using humour to challenge fear and ignorance. Rising to prominence in theatre, he became known for bold political and social commentary. During apartheid, he was a fearless critic of the regime, using satire to expose its absurdities. His most famous creation, Evita Bezuidenhout (who turns 90 this year!), evolved from lampooning apartheid to becoming a symbol of post-apartheid South Africa.
Uys’s work spans stage, film and activism, earning him a special place in the hearts of South Africans. As he turns 80, he remains active, tackling social issues with empathy and wit. His philosophy, “Humour isn’t just about jokes. It’s about facing fear head-on and laughing at it so it becomes less intimidating”, continues to inspire.
A lifelong advocate for freedom of expression, Uys’s joyful outlook and fearless storytelling remind audiences of the transformative power of laughter and the value of living authentically.
“Uys dons false eyelashes and presidents listen.” – LA TIMES
About Basil Appollis
Basil Appollis is an award-winning director, actor and playwright. Trained at UCT, the British Theatre Association in London and the Maurits Binger Film Institute in Amsterdam, his career highlights include My Word! Redesigning Buckingham Palace (West End, 2014) and Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September (Paris, 2018). He directed Artscape’s 50th Celebration online concert during Covid-19 and has created long-running works such as Kaapse Stories: Tales from the Mother City and ABFAB DRAG. Recent productions include Dance of the La Gumas, Dreaming Dance in District Six, Joltyd and the David Kramer Tribute. A former touring partner with Pieter-Dirk Uys’s Evita’s Ballot Bus, Basil continues to champion South African stories with lasting impact.
About Thokozile Ntshinga
Thokozile Ntshinga is an award-winning South African actor, director and cultural facilitator whose career spans more than 40 years. Founder of the Nants’ingqayi Arts Development Association in Langa, she has earned accolades including the ACT and SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Awards, and continues to use the arts as a tool for education, transformation and community upli
WHAT: Pieter-Dirk Uys turns 80 – No Space on Long Street & African Times
WHERE: Artscape Theatre Centre, Foreshore, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: No Space on Long Street From 10 Sep 2025 | African Times From 17 Sep
BOOKING: Webtickets
INFO: VISIT
