Celebrating South African women through music, comedy and drama, the second Women’s Month festival Your Voice, Your Stage runs at The Drama Factory in Strand from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 20 August.
Presented by The Drama Factory and F Creations, the festival highlights female-centric productions, presenting stories created by and performed by women. Featuring a line-up with something for everyone to enjoy, the programme includes Mike van Graan’s acclaimed satire He Had it Coming, starring Kim Blanche Adonis, Gail Louw’s arresting play The Good Dad, featuring Erika Breytenbach-Marais, Rocksteady’sWomen Of Rock Tribute Show, guaranteed to get you dancing, the delightful physical comedy ’n Gek Vir Jou performed by Ane’ Koegelenberg and Christie Van Niekerk, romantic comedy The Authentic Way to Fake It, written by Angelica Hattingh and Bianca Rasmussen, and the fabulous drag musical The Muses: Hades Gonna Hate. “Another highlight on the programme is one performance only by Angel’s Angels!” says festival co-producer Sue Diepeveen. “Angel Campey and her dynamic team of Angels – Mel Jones, Kate Pinchuck and Tumi Mkha’ – bring their special brand of stand-up comedy to the festival. Catch these astoundingly talented and funny women, as heard on Angel’s Smile 90.4FM drive time show, The Joyride.”
Says festival co-producer, Faeron Wheeler: “Our aim for the festival is to promote women working in the arts as well as give a voice to female stories, honouring the strength and tenacity of women in South Africa. We are also striving to create jobs and income for the arts sector, which is still finding its feet after the pandemic.”
The 2023 festival programme includes:
) He Had It Coming – Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 August at 19:00
In the tradition of the award-winning Pay Back the Curry and the Bafana Republic franchise, Mike van Graan’s multi-sketch He Had It Coming highlights themes related to the scourge of gender-based violence in a manner that will move and provoke audiences, even while thoroughly entertaining them.
No u-16s allowed. Tickets: R150.
Rocksteady’s Women Of Rock Tribute Show – Friday 11 August at 19:30
RockSteady’s Women of Rock Tribute Show moves between decades from the ’60s to the 2000s, highlighting 27 iconic women in music.
From Janis to Alanis, Patti Smith to Pink, and Blondie to the Bangles, RockSteady performs songs that everyone remembers and loves, reminding their audiences how women have always been at the forefront of music, alongside the boys, highlighting how their footprint in the world of music has grown with each decade.
The tribute show is an energetic and fun musical feast that gets audiences on their feet singing and dancing in the aisles all night long.
RockSteady comprises Sharyn Seidel Kometz, Pamela Levesque, Colin Plit, Damian Rijkers and Josh Buchalter.
Tickets costs R180/R200.
) ’n Gek Vir Jou – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August at 14:30
Two clowns, Yanni and Laurel, are looking for love in Stellenbosch. This quest requires them to face many challenges of the 21st century. They leave no stone unturned. Will their efforts drive these two best friends apart or bring them closer together? A clowning comedy about friendship, courting and love. ’n Gek Vir Jou is the winner of the 2022 Première Theatre Festival.
No u-13s allowed. Tickets: R150.
The Good Dad – Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 August at 19:00
A good dad. A happy family. A dark secret. A young woman is sitting in a prison cell. A serious crime has been committed. But what precisely? And why? Everyone thought they were a lovely family. But every family has something to hide and drawn curtains hide dark secrets.
Erika Breytenbach-Marais delivers a solo performance that takes the audience on a magical theatre journey with the use of a single prop, staggering design, and an almost unbelievable story. Breytenbach-Marais received her second Fleur du Cap nomination for Die Goeie Pa in 2023.
Parental guidance is advised (16).
) The Muses: Hades Gonna Hate – Friday 18 August at 20:00
While on a seemingly normal quest to grace the mortals, The Muses receive a troubling phone call from Hades herself, to inform them they are all ancient Greek ruins fading into oblivion unless, of course, they sell their souls. I mean, sign-up to a new social media app to boost their fame and celebrity status before it’s too late! What could possibly go wrong?
This lip-sync drag musical features songs from Britney, Beyonce, The Pussycat Dolls, Cardi B… and many more feisty divas. The art of drag has always been a celebration of femininity and self-expression, and this show does just that by paying tribute to some of the greatest female music icons of all time as well as celebrating new up and coming performers.
Tickets cost R150.
) The Authentic Way to Fake It – Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August at 16:00
After sold out shows in Joburg, The Authentic Way to Fake It is proud to be back in its home town. This romantic comedy explores the journey of Fern, an introverted and sarcastic writer who lands up trapped in her escape plan at a prestigious event . . . the bathroom. As the minutes tick by she comes to realise that the door is an obstacle rather than her saviour, while meeting myriad characters who explore the facade of authenticity, the detachment of connection and the question of identity. No u-13s allowed. Tickets: R150.
Bookings for all shows can be made at www.thedramafactory.co.za or by calling 073 215 2290. The Drama Factory is at Asla Business Park. Parking is available at the venue.
