On Heritage Day (24 September) Beautiful World, a new South African musical, will light up the stage at the historic Drostdy Theatre with two performances at 15:00 and 20:00.
This moving production features five exceptional performers – sourced directly from the Stellenbosch community – who are ready to take their place on the world stage. The e’Bosch Heritage Project challenged creatives to find local talent and create sustainable jobs in the arts. The result was a powerhouse cast that not only sings and acts but has also been workshopped in business planning, marketing, and independent music careers. With voices and stories ready to soar, they’ll also perform original work at Stellenbosch City Hall earlier that day (12:00 and 17:00), showcasing the skills and vision they’ve built for a future in the arts.
The musical’s cornerstone anthem is inspired by 45-second Grammy speeches – distilled dreams from global stars, turned into one powerful song. Rooted in the universal hero’s journey and crafted through a recent cross-country musical theatre collaboration (Cabaret and Beyond), Beautiful World blends heartfelt storytelling with original South African flair.
Creator Marthie Nel, a participant in the groundbreaking Music Business Lab supported by SAMRO, brings deep insight into an evolving industry. “We built Beautiful World by believing in our communities, creating platforms for raw voices, and connecting stories that need to be told. From isolated individuals to a united ensemble, our vision becomes reality through the power of collaboration and the shared heartbeat of Stellenbosch. We are at the beginning of a seismic shift. South Africa’s music scene is expanding, welcoming emerging voices. My dream has always been to make Stellenbosch the Nashville of South African music,” says Marthie.
The Drostdy Theatre has recently also introduced the Loop System, a technology designed to assist people with hearing aids or cochlear implants in public spaces, including theatres. It transmits sound directly to the user’s hearing device, reducing background noise and improving sound clarity. Two rows of seats inside the theatre have been dedicated to this which can be booked beforehand.
Tickets for both performances are available through Webtickets.
