The 23rd Suidoosterfees will transform Cape Town into a theatrical wonderland from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May, embracing the theme “Home” (Tuiste) – a celebration of both the festival’s two-decade legacy in the Mother City and the sense of belonging it creates for audiences and artists alike.
This year’s festival promises unprecedented theatrical innovation, headlined by the world premiere of Jakobregop, Hennie Aucamp’s deliciously scandalous satire play that has remained unperformed since its 1988 publication.
Directed by Fred Abrahamse and featuring Dean Balie, Marcel Meyer and Anzio September, this adults-only comedy boldly explores human desire and power dynamics with characteristic wit and sensuality.
The festival’s beloved Short and Sweet programme returns as a creative incubator, offering audiences bite-sized theatrical gems in compelling 30-minute performances. A standout addition is Adam Small 90, where young writers from the Proscenium Drama Competition reimagine the legendary poet’s work through fresh perspectives on belonging, dreams and identity in contemporary South Africa.
Musical theatre takes centre stage with Stadskoor, -Choir, -iKwayara sing diva-pop, featuring iconic pop hits performed with rich choral harmonies alongside drag sensation Manila von Teez, who brings her legendary glamour to the production.
Dance productions push boundaries with Sbo Ndaba’s Bolero, fusing contemporary movement with African rhythms, and Unmute, choreographed by Andile Vellem, which uses South African Sign Language as its primary movement vocabulary, celebrating communication and inclusivity.
Comedy and social commentary blend seamlessly in productions like Baggage, where Jurgen McEwan and Aviwe Ngabom use sharp sketch comedy to illuminate South African realities, and Pick a Struggle, featuring Zach Esau and Roland du Preez examining minority experiences through incisive humour.
Breaking new ground, this year’s festival expands beyond its traditional Artscape hub, incorporating multiple new venues across the city.
The comprehensive programme can be found online at suidoosterfees.com, with tickets available through Webtickets.
