Cape Town can't get enough of this global cult hit. The Epicene Butcher and Other Stories for Consenting Adults returns to Alexander Upstairs for a week to satiate the demands of those who missed its last run. Come and see the deployment of a 12th Century Japanese Buddhist story-telling tradition known as kamishibai to tell 7 startling pop stories. The show is a mash-up of manga, sex, gothic horror and mainstream popular culture using hand-drawn illustrations and luscious narration.

The Epicene Butcher has to date received:
A Silver Ovation Award, NAF Grahamstown 2012
Critics' Choice & Audience Favourite, Fringe Amsterdam 2012
Best New Script & Audience Favourite, Musho! Theatre Festival
**** The Herald (Edinburgh Fringe)
**** The List (Edinburgh Fringe)
**** Broadwaybaby
**** Broadway World

'Jemma Kahn is brilliant. I came away with my mind slightly blown.' Annie Lennox, who saw the show at Alexander Bar!

Jemma Kahn was selected as one of M&G's Top 200 Young South Africans in 2013 and as one of AfriPOP's Top 5 Women to Watch in SA Theatre.

Media & Reviews

Review for The Epicene Butcher at Brighton Fringe (Argus Angel Winner)

Review of The Epicene Butcher at the Brighton Fringe

Review of The Epicene Butcher at The Adelaide Fringe

Review of The Epicene Butcher in Australia

Review of The Epicene Butcher at Edinburgh Fringe

Review of The Epicene Butcher at Edinburgh Fringe

Review of The Epicene Butcher at NAF

Audience Responses

Great stuff! Just as an asside has your Florin campaign been scuppered? I have filled out the form many times.

Fantastic show...

a wonderful surprising little gem! we went on the off chance knowing little about what to expect and were thrilled.

Excellent show, very inventive, funny, bawdy and even poignant at times.

Second time I've watched this show. Still entertaining.

Joh! What s show!! It was such a beautiful breath of fresh air, thank you. So good I am trying to rustle up some more pal's to come back again. THanks so much. And on an admin note - your guys online responses, feedback, reminders etc are really great, so thanks for that too. Sunny regards, meg deane

a good night out - look forward to more

Fabulous, edgy, funny, wise, very well performed, crisp, moving.

Fantastic, inspired storytelling in a welcome departure from the traditional theatre format. Thank you!

brilliant, poignant and fiercly entertaining

Surpriseing. Interesting. Thought provoking. Thanks.

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole delightful production especially the Zen/Japanese 'feel' with a twist. Brilliant narration of varied stories, rich language and artwork that captured the moments so effectively and light-handed humour. Congratulations on terrific timing as well as the overall rhythm, and mix of evocative and hilarious moments without 'gaaning aan' and milking the 'hits'.

Quite funny and enjoyable. Different from the usual.

Brilliant and innovative!

Brilliant, brilliant brilliant! Please extend - I want all my friends and family to go see it.

this was our first time at the Alexander and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Jemma Kahn commanded a 100% of your attention and enthralled the audience. thank you for a wonderful performance - can't wait for the next round.

I feel the same as every year, Miss Sophie... LOVE the Epicene Butcher and as long as you keep bringing it back, we'll continue to head upstairs for the pleasure of it all X love Roy and Ingrid

Second time I saw it and still such a great experience! Recommended to all my friends, again and again!

Loved it. Jenna is brilliant. Best wishes for an illustrious career. From an old - as in long time -friend of her parents.

This was an utter delight - I had no idea what to expect [which is the way it should be] and we were enchanted. Fabulous piece of theatre in a fabulous theatre.

brilliant show. will be coming again : )

Excellent production. It's the second time I've seen it and it's better than ever. Highly recommend it.

Fantastic show! So different and uniquely brilliant. A must see.

Amazing show! Really enjoyed it so much. Venue rocked and we will definitely be back for other shows by the same team!

I have not laughed like that in a very long time. Loved it.

I've been trying to catch this since I missed it at the National Arts Festival and it didn't disappoint. Jemma is so vivacious and incredibly captivating. The show had me thinking, heart sinking, blushing and belly-laughing. The intimacy of the venue also set the tone for a 'cosy' storytelling relationship between performers and audience - it was perfect. My only regret was not sitting in front where I would have been eligible for sweets ;)

The show was fantastic. We felt really drawn in by the interactive stage show. We loved the stories and the fact that they ranged from tragic to incredibly playful. The illustrations were great. It was a perfect evening.

First time at Alexander Bar and loved the venue; the show was fantastic - Jemma Kahn was excellent, format interesting, all in all a great performance.

Cannot gush, praise, song and dance about this gem of a show enough. I really hope that it doesn't get put away like they threatened to do last night. So special. Thank you :)

Fantastic! We really loved the performance

pulled at the heart strings and tickled the laughing cords all at once, brilliant!

Fantastic, inspired storytelling in a welcome departure from the traditional theatre format. Thank you!

absolutely fantastic. We loved it!

Very entertaining and original! Thoroughly enjoyed

AWESOME! Love it! :)

The show was excellent. One of the most wonderfully unique theatre experiences I've ever had.

LOVED it!!!!!

5 out of 5. It was fucking fantastic

Absolutely brilliant! Something quite out of the ordinary.

Jemma Kahn was brilliant....gem of a show!!

Unusual, passionate, quirky and wonderful. We really enjoyed ourselves and were really pleased that we sat in the front row! We would be extremely intrigued to see the next production! :-) Well done!

BRILLIANT !!!!

Refreshing, charming and an absolute delight! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fabulous innovative show! Saturday evening was my second time seeing the show at the Alexander - and I brought my sister and a friend along!

We hadn't been sure what to expect but all thoroughly enjoyed the show.

It was absolutely fantastic .... a show I could see again. Will be coming to her next one.

We enjoyed the show - it was Very Different to anything we'd seen before. The Epicine butcher was a great tale and the other stories sparked various emotions.

Fabulous innovative show! Saturday evening was my second time seeing the show at the Alexander - and I brought my sister and a friend along!

Brilliant, excellently paced, extraordinary, breathtaking and innovative theatre. Thanks!

Excellent show as awlays! I would see it again and again :-)

The novel concept of kamishibai storytelling and the multidimensional performance of Jemma Kahn as she took us on a journey with her different energy and accents was refreshing and compelling and I enjoyed every second! Chalk boy must also be congratulated for his cheeky antics and fuck you attitude added that extra something that completed the show. Basically, I really enjoyed it!

Absolutely brilliant. The best, most innovative piece of theatre I've seen in a very long time.

The most original, inventive, funny, poignant, entertaining, disruptive, thought-provoking show I've been to, perhaps, ever. Extraordinarily creative writing, fantastic drawings, wonderful story-telling. Thank you.

Jemma is a gifted storyteller, I loved it from start to finish. It's just fantastic to witness talented young theatre practitioners creating their own work.

A MAZE ING !!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing show, great venue, awesome night out...

Very enjoyable. It lived up to its reputation.

As brilliant as the first time I saw it. Jemma Kahn puts the knife to life, the universe and everything, and the result is delectable.

Beautiful imagery, passionate story telling. A delight

more of this type of innovative and talent filled theatre please

Brilliant and innovative storytelling and artwork as well as a stupendous performance by Jenna Kahn make this an unforgettable and inspiring piece of theatre.

It was seriously refreshing, brilliant and SO funny! The storytelling with illustrations took me back to a my childhood with matured thoughts. I was moved....

Fab show! Great to be able to watch something so different and entertaining.

Great piece fantastically and bravely executed. In a wonderful venue. Thanks for the experience

Loved it. Jenna is brilliant. Best wishes for an illustrious career. From an old - as in long time -friend of her parents.

Superb. Totally unexpected, and a total delight.

Brilliant, second time watching it and there will definitely be a third time.

Was a great performance! Too short in my opinion. One or two more stories might have been nice? Good work!

This isn't Howard. But Howard brought me along... Thank you for a wonderful show. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute...

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this show, and will be keeping tabs on the Alexander Bar's future productions!

Original, creative, funny and beautifully delivered.

It's my second time watching the show... this time I brought friends! The show is clever and touching and quite a roller coaster in 50 minutes. On both occasions I have enjoyed it immensely!

It was really amazing - I really enjoyed the stories, and the informal vibe. Such a fantastic evening!

This was an utter delight - I had no idea what to expect [which is the way it should be] and we were enchanted. Fabulous piece of theatre in a fabulous theatre.

She was wonderful! Not convinced about the continuity presenter, but loved every minute of the storytelling. Thank you!

Brilliant, excellently paced, extraordinary, breathtaking and innovative theatre. Thanks!

Excellent show. Exceptionally well done and immensely funny.

Took my son, who lives in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese, to see it last night.. He loved every minute of it, and says that Jemma is the ninja of Japanese culture! Absolutely superb piece of theatre and brilliantly scripted.

We enjoyed the show - found the concept very unusual and beguiling and thought the acting and production very slick and attractive.. We would like to receive your newsletter please . Look forward to a return visit to your venue. Regards - Mercy Goodman

Brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it. The whole experience at the theatre was great and food as well. Thank you

Wonderful. Thank you.

great fun thanks

absolutely wonderful!!!

Wicked,incredibly funny, evocative and beautifully performed. It was like Story-time for adults. At times I caught myself, mouth agape, eyes wide, suspended in moments of absolute wonder as I listened to these stories unfold.

It was the second time I saw this show, and if anything it was even more remarkable. Jemma is simply incredible. Her energy, instant love-ability and openness to the audience wins us over in seconds. The stories themselves and the detailed way in which she creates a different storyteller for each are complex, varied and endlessly entertaining. I'm gushing now. But it's all true. Thank you so much for this wonderful show!

Loved it. Jenna is brilliant. Best wishes for an illustrious career. From an old - as in long time -friend of her parents.

5 stars!...what more do you want me to say? Oh yes, compliments to the chef.

Brilliant show ... masterfully portrayed

Hilarious and touching and unique. Would recommend that everyone see this show.

Stupendous, fun and creatively playful.

Nick, team Alexander - the epicene butcher was an absolutely great show. I bought a little group along and everyone really had a great time. Well done Jemima as Chalk boy. And to you guys. Alexander Bar is cementing it's place in my top five public chess playing places of all time.

Brilliant! Would see it again.

very clever  . . . fabulous actress . . . artwork deeply engaging  . . . An idea - I'd like to see another show where there's been a collabration with a woman writer, allowing perhaps, for wisdom too.

Fan-bloody-tastic!

A deliciously brilliant extravagance! Loved every minute of it and left longing for more.

Clever, quirky and just plain fabulous!

Fantastic, inspired storytelling in a welcome departure from the traditional theatre format. Thank you!

I have rarely enjoyed a performance so much. It was clever and funny and heartbreaking and left me with more questions than answers.

Second time watching it, I really love this piece! Very unique, and Jemma Kahn is exceptional.

Absolutely unique!

Absolutely brilliant and very refreshing. I want to see it again!

The show was magnificent! I really have not enjoyed a theatre experience more this year. Loved every single thing about it. The intimacy, the freshness of the performance, the Alexander Bar. All of it was great. I would however suggest that you up your bar staff during a performance. One of my company lost his cool completely having been skipped over for service at the bar. The person in question was the marketing head for Brandhouse so he is completely aware of the problems surrounding liquor. The system failed him last night and he became really angry resulting in a altercation with the barman on the stoep outside. I think unpleasantness like this can be avoided if there are more bar staff especially on a performance night. However, the whole experience was extremely positive and you will definitely be seeing me again.

Energetic, original and very entertaining.

Good fun, light and not long.

what a truly original, witty and moving piece of theatre! Loved the vibrant, artful performance - and the art itself was superbly evocative! A treat for the senses.

Love it. Cant wait for the Theatre of Death. Jemma is magical!

I've seen this show 4 times and it is brilliant. I would happily see it again! Bring it back!

Fun and different. Enjoyed it very much.

Very entertaining.

Terrific! An original concept, expertly executed and highly entertaining and amusing.

BRILLIANT! My 2nd time and I was even more spellbound by the sheer artistry and wry, quirky humour. My overseas guest's were amazed and raving. Jemma Khan is a gem!!!!! MapMyWay

more of this type of innovative and talent filled theatre please

New art form for us, we enjoyed it. Love your little theatre