July at the Baxter – What’s on? The countdown is officially on! On 5 July the Baxter lifts the curtains once more for the return season of the phenomenal, award-winning production of JM Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K. And that’s just for starters!
JM Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K | 5 – 15 July
Adapted for the stage by Baxter CEO & Artistic Director Lara Foot, in collaboration with the Tony Award-winning Handspring Puppet Company, this masterpiece of
SouthAfrican theatre is back by popular demand from 5 – 15 July. Fresh from claiming the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for Best Production and Best Puppetry Design, along with five other nominations, we’re beyond excited to bring this gripping story back to The Baxter. But that’s not all – we’re brimming with excitement for the international tour that follows, with stops at the Galway Festival in Ireland and then the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung raved about the play, describing it as “… a brilliant Coetzee adaptation…”, while arts activist and critic, Faye Kabali-Kagwa, hailed it as “ambitious, bold, and quite honestly a great example of the power of theatre.”
This ambitious adaptation of JM Coetzee’s Booker Prize-winning novel features a star-studded South African cast and combines puppetry, performance, film, and music. The haunting story follows Michael K on a journey through a war-ravaged South Africa, finding strength in his humanity and connection to the earth. The impressive South African cast includes theatre legends Sandra Prinsloo, Andrew Buckland, Faniswa Yisa, puppet master Craig Leo, Roshina Ratnam, Carlo Daniels, Marty Kintu, Billy Langa and Nolufefe Ntshuntshe. Click above to view the production trailer.
Figure of 8 Winter Season: Set in Motion | 6 – 15 July
Renowned Figure of 8 Dance Collective presents their new Winter Dance Season performance at The Baxter. Guided by distinguished dance duo Grant van Ster and Shaun Oelf, this debut features collaboration with award-winning artists Nico Scheepers, Franco Prinsloo, Andi Colombo.
Figure of 8 Winter Season: Set in Motion Contested Bodies
Contested Bodies | 19 – 29 July
Acclaimed for its ensemble performance, direction, and costume design, this riveting play dives into the complexities of power dynamics, race, gender identity, and the lingering effects of our colonial past. It challenges us to reexamine our connection to historical trauma and our patterns of remembrance.
Dancers Love Dogs | 20 – 22 July
Join ‘Dancers LOVE Dogs’, a not-for-profit initiative, for an annual show supporting ‘Mass Sterilization’. All proceeds aid Cape Province initially, with plans to extend to Johannesburg and Durban. Participate, contribute, and spread compassion!
Dancers Love Dogs Surge
Surge | 21 – 29 July
Immerse in a world of puppetry brought to life by Roshina Ratnam and the Magnet Theatre Youth Company. Follow two characters navigating their unique relationships with nature and climate events, unraveling what truly matters in the face of environmental change.
Book now!
Shadow Boxing | 24 – 29 July
The award-winning & critically acclaimed Shadow Boxing with Daniel Newton takes the stage for a short run at the Masambe Theatre from 29 June. Book before 1 July for the R90 Baxter Special (valid only for 24 & 25 July). Use the promo code newton to access your discount.
Shadow Boxing August: The Beauty Queen of Leenane
WHAT: July at the Baxter
WHERE: Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700
WHEN: Details above and below
BOOKING: Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores
INFO: T 021 680 3871 | Visit I Facebook | Twitter
July at the Baxter – Full Programme
5 – 15 July: Life & Times of Michael K
6 – 15 Jul: Figure of 8 Winter Season: Set in Motion
10 – 15 Jul: Dude Wa’s my Bakkie
19 – 29 Jul: Contested Bodies
20 – 22 Jul: Dancers Love Dogs
21 – 29 Jul: Surge
22 Jul: Semi-Detached (play reading)
24 – 29 Jul: Shadow Boxing
26 Jul: Morning Melodies: Gerhard Joubert (Piano) & Loren Ehlers (Accordion)
27 Jul: U3A
2-19 August: The Beauty Queen of Leenane
