Kafka's Ape

4.87 (68)

Kafka's Ape

17 performances between Feb. 5, 2018 and June 22, 2019
Theatre
Adapted & Directed by: Phala O. Phala • Original Design by: Liesel N. Retief • Performed by Tony Bonani Miyambo
60mins
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Kafka’s Ape is a solo performance adaptation of Franz Kafka’s ‘A Report To An Academy’ about a primate’s struggle to overcome the confines of captivity. The play engages in an allegorical observation of the South African society through the eyes of other; the ape Red Peter. In 2015 it won a Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival. In 2018 it will tour North America by invitation and return to Africa to perform in Mozambique.

Kafka’s Ape presents a  conflicting point of view in which traditional boundaries, categories, and norms are questioned; in which beauty, harmony, and symmetry are usurped by cruelty, dissonance, and abnormality. It opens up the reality that there exists something outside of and in addition to our “normal,” “typical,” “wholesome” world, and that is “other”. 

“Minimalist décor, subtle music, lights and brilliant acting succeed in enthralling the audience with questions about the human condition, external realities, conformity and freedom. It’s personal, tragic, funny and gooseflesh-inducing.” - Martin Laubscher, Cue Newspaper.

“…the play comprises poignant truisms about identity and the danger of shallowly judging others.” - Robyn Sassen. 

“I hazard that Kafka’s Ape is both ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’, a happy middle ground filled with beautiful unhappiness. You can’t but feel like an insider, partly the crisp clear narrative, but detailed energetic genius & superhuman physicality pulled this one off.” - Christopher Steenkamp

Media & Reviews

"Miyambo is a performer of nimble and great diversity." - Robyn Sassen

"Tony Bonani Miyambo is simply brilliant in his depiction of Red Peter."

Review of Kafka's Ape by Laura Davidson

"Tony is riveting, moving and heart wrenching, as he expands on his journey from ape to man, and in so doing delivers the horrors of what being man is. His huge physical presence and control fill the tiny space, and the subtle emotion of his delivery are both mesmerising and absolutely haunting."

Review of 'Kafka's Ape' by Megan Furniss

Audience Responses

Oh my word, i was blown away by the show, what a thought provoking challenging piece of art. I am considering seeing it for a second time. Thank you Thank to the actor!! Wow

Dannielle • Attended Feb. 6, 2018, 7 p.m.

BRILLIANT!

FRANS • Attended June 10, 2019, 7 p.m.
5.0

I have nothing bad to say: the whole performance was just so beautifully executed and I applaud Itumeleng Molefi!

Emily • Attended Feb. 12, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

What a triumph, what an theatrical achievement at the highest level by this incredible actor. We celebrated my husband’s birthday tonight by coming to see this play and we are just full of praise for the best piece of theatre we have ever seen. Being great theatre supporters, going to see a play every 10 days, and being in our 60’s, this gives weight to us saying it is the BEST piece we have ever seen. Bravo Tony Miyambo Please extend the season!!! Henry and Jane Barenblatt

Jane • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Outstanding, complex, provocative thinking and feeling Theatre.

Chaz • Attended Feb. 9, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Quite Genius wow third time I have seen it!!!!

Dannielle • Attended June 15, 2019, 7 p.m.
5.0

An unforgettable performance! Deserved a better house...

Beverley • Attended Feb. 5, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.5

The show was extraordinary the actor brilliant but the theater was totally too hot and stuffy. Could hardly breathe

Mrs • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.

Tony Bonani Miyambo's performance is textured and detailed and incredibly moving. His sustained physicality is extraordinary, my own body began to ache in empathy with him. The direction was exquisitely balanced between a sharp focus on the text and on the physical. I loved how well the 'monkey bars' of the set were used and loved even more that the effect was used sparingly - one riveting image that has stayed in my head and dreams. This classic text was very well edited and adapted to our context, making the comment on the ugliness of our South African human expression profound and devastating. The nauseating "monkey in the jungle" racism in the press recently came sharply to mind. I felt privileged to have been in the audience. Thank you

Jaqueline • Attended Feb. 7, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Very physical theatre!

David • Attended Feb. 12, 2018, 7 p.m.
3.5

Superb in every respect, thank you thank you to all concerned just love the Alex! Acting was sublime

Erica • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

In laying bare the violence of imperialism, colonialism, slavery and modern-day assimilation practice, the piece deeply shook me. Myambo’s performance of the ape-man is masterful and heart-wrenching, and subversive. Absolutely brilliant.

Julia • Attended June 13, 2019, 7 p.m.
5.0

PHUCKKK it was INFUGGINGTENSE. We're processing its delivery monologue, props and delivery. Thank you for an unexpected skullphuck. Great theatre. We like theatre which breaks through the mind numbingness of every day rote. Thank you Kris & Maura

KRIS • Attended June 15, 2019, 7 p.m.

totally fucking brill ! An unforgettable theatrical experience

jo • Attended Feb. 10, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Incredibly moving. The best performance I've seen.

Louisa • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

He was brilliant!

Christine • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Superb in every respect, thank you thank you to all concerned just love the Alex! Acting was sublime

Erica • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Stupendous performance if slightly alarming audience interaction... to which all three of our party were treated! I would absolutely recommend this show to others.

Giles • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.5

Absolutely fantastic. Genius actor! Extremely captivating and deeply moving performance. Chapeau!! Thank you for featuring this show in your theatre.

Carina • Attended Feb. 7, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Please see the letter I wrote to you last night about the best show we have ever seen...we are in our 60's!! you may publish it on you comments page

Jane • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Really excellent. Superb one man show. Thought provoking, truthful, real.

Amy • Attended Feb. 7, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

A brave and extraordinary performance. Confronting and compelling viewing. It shone a light into some dark recesses in my own head and heart. Gonna be thinking about it for a long time to come

Siobhan • Attended June 11, 2019, 7 p.m.
5.0

BRILLIANT acting

Selig • Attended Feb. 8, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.0

Absolutely brilliant - a tour de force.

Heather • Attended Feb. 15, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Brilliant

anri • Attended Feb. 13, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

very interesting subject, very well acted

Erika • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.0

Incredibly moving and detailed depiction of the story

Katherine • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Tony Bonani Miyambo was absolutely brilliant. It was haunting and uncomfortable and provacative. Excellent. Thanks you.

Silke • Attended Feb. 15, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

A triumph!

Brendan • Attended Feb. 8, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

I found the show incredibly moving, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Sage • Attended June 21, 2019, 9 p.m.
5.0

Tony gave the most extraordinary physical and vocal life to this piece. Thrilled that I finally got to see it!

Matt • Attended June 10, 2019, 7 p.m.
5.0

Powerful, skilled, moving, generous performance of thought provoking text. Very honest open presence! Thank you.

Jennie • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.5

Great performance, can't understand why it had rave reviews and audiences at Grahamstown and Johannesburg and Cape Town luke warm. One big complaint was the failure of the AIR CONDITIONING - at one stage we thought we were going to faint and was kind of agonising to watch sweat pouring off the actor.

Rose • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.5

Absolutely fabulous. The acting was incredible. A faithful rendition of Kafka, transposed to contemporary South Africa. I was very impressed by the work, and by the delivery.

Steve • Attended Feb. 15, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

What a performance! And an interesting contemplation especially in light of the coolest monkey in the Jungle protests. Man is really no better or better of than a man.

Sandy • Attended Feb. 6, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

brilliant, sensational. painful and heartfelt, and very political

susan • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Insanely well acted - confrontational, raw and harrowing.

Grant • Attended Feb. 10, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

I thought it was a really fascinating, thought-provoking and brilliantly performed show. It would have been great to have had space for discussion afterwards.

Bridget • Attended Feb. 16, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Excellent- one or two of our group came for the second time

Marcia • Attended June 11, 2019, 7 p.m.
4.5

There aren't ten stars? There should be. This is theatre at its most captivating magical best.Tony Miyambo contracts time & expands the universe in the classic contemplation of what lies beneath our skins. Truly magnificent theatre which left me spellbound. Each time I witness this performance I am struck anew by the power that live performance has to slip into your soul.

Tracey • Attended Feb. 8, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Beautifully judged performance, powerfully delivered and deeply moving. Tony Miyambo is a consummate performer whose journey with this play over 7 years has resulted in the creation of a piece which has tremendous depth, clarity and resonance. He is masterful. See this before it’s too late!

Yvette • Attended Feb. 13, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Stupendous in every way... mesmerising, powerful, moving, amusing. And more than a little stifling. The half star off 5 is only because the (?intentionally) stifling lack of air-con distracted considerably from the enjoyment of the play, which many more people should see.

Giles • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.
4.5

Brilliant acting with minimal sets & props. Perhaps the ape-like gestures could be toned down to enhance the effect.

Ron • Attended Feb. 10, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Superb physical theatre piece: the character was brilliantly sustained throughout. Wish I could get this actor to my drama classes!!!

Roxy • Attended Feb. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

UTTERLY EXTRAORDINARY. Sincere, creative, stimulating, extremely well performed. Cape Talk should have Tony on as a guest advertising the show and your venue.

sue • Attended June 15, 2019, 7 p.m.

Superb in every respect, thank you thank you to all concerned just love the Alex! Acting was sublime

Erica • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

It is an AMAZING show! The text, the acting, the production - everything is perfect.

Arthur • Attended Feb. 8, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Superb in every respect, thank you thank you to all concerned just love the Alex! Acting was sublime

Erica • Attended Feb. 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

An outstanding and moving performance. Quite unusual and risque in the SA context. The lecture an hour later capped off a great theatrical and human experience.

Clifford • Attended Feb. 9, 2018, 7 p.m.
5.0

Bravura performance from Tony Bonani Miyambo, and a thought -provoking show. Wonderful lighting (the Alexander Bar lighting rig has come a long way!) and simple yet clever design. Altogether satisfying.