It’s day 728. 2030. Amy and Roald are stuck in a storeroom in a laboratory built halfway up Table Mountain. Outside, a desolate and apocalyptic landscape awaits, complete with soaring temperatures, out of control weather patterns and the potential of carbon dioxide poisoning. Amy and Roald are, quite frankly, in a bit of a pickle. Plus, they have to solve the most significant problem of all - how do they keep their succulents alive?

A new work by Andi Colombo, starring Kathleen Stephens and Russell Crous, AMES examines relationships, humanity, and climate change, all the while asking: what happens when humans go too far?

AMES is the creation of emerging theatre-maker Andi Colombo (PAN., Like Hamlet), and stars Kathleen Stephens (Shakespeare in Love, Like Hamlet) and Russell Crous (Outlander, The Widow, The Escape Room).

Andi Colombo
Andi Colombo completed her degree (honours equivalent) in Theatre Making at the University of Cape Town in 2017. Andi considers herself fortunate to have been involved in technically operating, lighting designing and stage-managing many productions over the last few years. Andi’s 2017 Theatre Making final piece, PAN. was included in the New Voices Festival on UCT’s Hiddingh Campus in December 2017, and was presented as part of the Zabalaza festival at the Baxter Theatre in March 2018, where it won the categories for Best Script and Best Supporting Actor, and was nominated for Best Direction, Best Actress and Best Production. Most recently, she performed in a body-focused exploration called Fill, and wrote and performed in Like Hamlet, a play directed by Kanya Viljoen.

Kathleen Stephens
Kathleen Stephens debuted her acting career in the production of People Beneath Our Feet in 2016 directed by Blythe Linger and Katya Mendleson. Since then she has gone on to star in Wessel Pretorius’ I Love You Sally Field, Dara Beth’s Nasty Womxn, and Jon Keevy’s Single Minded and The Underground Library, which was the first recipient Fleur du Cap award for Best Children’s Theatre Production. This year Kathleen has been seen on the Maynardville stage as Lucentio in the first all-female South African production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew directed by Tara Nottcutt. She performed in Pretorius’ Fotostaatmasjien which debuted at Woordfees Festival and KKNK. She worked on Like Hamlet directed by Kanya Viljoen and recently finished performing in Fugard’s return season of Shakespeare in Love.  

Russell Crous
Russell Crous is an actor based in Cape Town, South Africa. With a degree in the arts, Russell has put it to good use in international film and television; appearing as Second Mate Baxley in Starz’ Outlander Season 3, and as Charlie in Danger Room (2019, Columbia Pictures). He is also set to appear in The Widow, which features Kate Beckinsale, Charles Dance and Alex Kingston. 

Russell studied at AFDA, in Cape Town, and graduated with his degree in Live Performance. While there, he had the opportunity to hone his screen-craft in a number of student films, as well as learn a little theatre, featuring in “Lovborg’s Women” created and directed by Chris Weare, as well as “Rainshark” written by Neil McCarthy and directed by Alex McCarthy. This actor can also be seen in National Geographic’s “No Man Left Behind” and “Origins: The Journey of Humankind”. He has done two episodes of American Monster and can be seen in adverts for Lays, Tony Card and LG. 

Audience Responses

My boyfriend and I are big drama enthusiasts so were hugely excited to watch this. However, we found the script rather weak and felt there was an overuse of swearing. More exposition would have been appreciated (especially regarding the cause of the apocalypse). Some of the monologues were wishy-washy and we felt the show didn’t make enough of an emotional impact. However, commendation to the actors and set-designers!

Well done, but subject matter difficult. My husband did not enjoy it at all. I thought it was different but not uplifting entertainment.

It was nice! Interesting plot and two very good actors, I enjoyed it.

Well done, but subject matter difficult. My husband did not enjoy it at all. I thought it was different but not uplifting entertainment.

Had such beautiful uses of different mediums, and affected me without me realizing at the time. Gripping and a wonderful journey the play takes you on. Especially enjoyed Kathleen’s incredible performance.

it leaves you wanting more!! could watch it over and over again!

Excellent acting, story line and overall production. Clever use of film. A great production!

It was a good solid with good performances from both actors. Well Done to the whole team and hope it gets an extended run at some point.

The show was interesting and moving. The performances were very good. The writing was fascinating if a bit opaque at times. A relevant piece and the older generation should see it to hear how the younger generation feels about the world we have made for them. I think the play is permeated with loss.