Mzansi Theatre Review

  Dane Hurst has been appointed the new artistic director of Joburg Ballet. Picture: Joburg Ballet In a significant move for South African ballet, Dane Hurst, a celebrated director and choreographer, has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Joburg Ballet.  The announcement, made during an event in Johannesburg, came from the Joburg Ballet Board Chairperson, Melanie de Nysschen, who praised Hurst's extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the world of dance. In her address, de Nysschen highlighted the qualities the company sought in its next leader: a bold artistic vision, an ability to honour classical traditions while embracing contemporary South African and African influences, and strong international connections within the ballet world. She expressed confidence in Hurst’s potential to elevate Joburg Ballet, noting that his artistic vision and international background position him as an ideal leader for the company. Hurst, who has served as the ballet compa...

World-renowned DJ Black Coffee at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Picture: CTIJF Facebook In a daring juxtaposition that sent ripples of excitement through a 20 000-strong audience, world-renowned DJ Black Coffee took the spotlight at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival on Friday night, an event that traditionally champions the rich sounds of jazz. For jazz purists, the presence of a non-jazz artist at such a celebrated venue is often met with apprehension—almost akin to heresy. However, those anxieties were promptly dispelled by a performance that ultimately celebrated the very essence of music's evolution. Accompanied by the illustrious jazz pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini, an orchestra, a percussionist, and an impressive array of local artists, Black Coffee delivered a staggering 90-minute set that showcased a magnificent marriage of musical ingenuity, creative artistry, and bold improvisation. With such an impressive lineup, it was clear that this was m...

Multi-award winning actress Bo Petersen performing Pieces of Me . Picture: Supplied When artists want to tell their life story, normally they write a memoir or commission someone else to write a book or film a documentary. Very few artists dare to bare their soul on stage as intimately as multi-award winning actress Bo Petersen does in her exceptional one-woman show, Pieces of Me .  Capturing the complexity of identity and the imprints of a painful past, Petersen’s performance encapsulates the very essence of what it means to navigate a world shaped by the lingering shadows of apartheid.  At just 19, Petersen stumbled upon the life-altering revelation that would forever change her perspective: her father, Benjamin "Benny" Johannes Petersen, was a Coloured man who, for the sake of societal acceptance and safety, had passed as a White man. This revelation was not merely a family secret; it threatened to unravel her entire understanding of her lineage and the identities she held...

The Standard Bank Young Artists (from left to right): Modise Sekgothe (Poetry), Nyakallo Maleke (Visual Arts), Siya Charles (Jazz), Asanda Ruda (Dance), Muneyi (Music), and Clavin Ratladi (seated). Picture: Supplied   Each year, South Africa’s creative industry eagerly awaits the announcement of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards (SBYA), arguably the country’s most prestigious recognition of artistic excellence. And once again, the 2025 cohort prove itself to be a group of remarkable talents, each one pushing boundaries and shaping the future of their disciplines. The recipients of the 2025 SBYAs were unveiled at an exclusive media gathering at Untitled Basement in Braamfontein on Wednesday, April 9. The official announcement followed the next day at The Forum at The Campus in Bryanston, hosted by celebrated author, poet, and actress Lebogang Mashile. “We are proud to support this new generation of visionaries.” This year’s SBYA recipients are an inspiring group of six young cr...

Tumelo 'Tumi' Lekana. Picture: Lauge Sorensen Joburg Ballet's Tumelo "Tumi" Lekana takes his captivating new work Mpho to the Royal Opera House in London, United Kingdom, to celebrate South African narratives in the global ballet landscape. The performance is scheduled for 9 and 10 April as part of the prestigious International Draft Works, an event spotlighting emerging choreographers from around the globe. This marks an exciting return for Joburg Ballet, having previously debuted at the event in 2023 with a piece by Mario Gaglione . In an interview with Mzansi Theatre Review, Lekana expressed his elation and surprise upon receiving the invitation to present his work, Mpho . “I was genuinely shocked because I was told the piece was for something small, but it turned out to be the opposite. It took a moment to realise the magnitude of it all,” he revealed.  “This achievement is bigger than me as an individual. Yes, I might be the face, but it has always been abou...

Markus Schabbing, Billy Langa, Nolufefe Ntshuntshe, Susan Danford, Faniswa Yisa, Craig Leo, Carlo Daniels. Picture: Suzy Bernstein There is no other way to describe the theatre production of the Life and Times of Michael K other than that it’s a tragedy. It’s a haunting story that has no happy ending but is sad from the beginning to the end.  The protagonist faces a series of challenges and has to constantly fight for survival until he gives up on the will to live.  Adapted from the 1983 novel of the same title by a Nobel-winning South African author, J.M Coetzee, Life and Times of Michael K follows the story of a young man who, on the backdrop of a civil war in apartheid South Africa, sets out from Cape Town to return his sick mother back to her birthplace in Prince Alfred in the Eastern Cape.  Born with a cleft palate, Michael K has always felt like an outsider, ostracised by a society that values conformity and beauty over individuality. His existence as a gardener in...

The Human Exhibition. Picture: Vusi Makhanya The stage is set for an electrifying return of The Human Exhibition, a groundbreaking dance production that brings pressing societal issues to life through the power of movement.  Set to premiere at Steel Gym KwaMashu on April 5, The Human Exhibition Season 2 promises to engage audiences through the universal language of movement, encouraging deep reflection on themes such as mental health, social justice, and self-discovery. At the heart of The Human Exhibition lies an evocative exploration of our shared human experience, encapsulated by the themes of Time, Genetics, Mind and Body, Infection, and Environmental Breakdown.  According to Vusi Makanya, the director of KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre (KMSDT), the production is rooted in values that resonate deeply with our humanity—self-care, truth-telling, inclusion, vulnerability, sustainability, and love.  “Through movement, we aim to spark meaningful conversations, challeng...