“A theatrical gem. Five Stars.” Beverley Brommert, the Argus.

“This is a poignant, tender piece of theatre - wryly observed, skilfully crafted, funny and affirming.” Robyn Cohen, The Cape Times.

After sold out performances in September 2017, Selwyn & Gabriel returns to the Alexander Bar.

In the dead of night, Selwyn Aaron Bernstein wakes to find the intruder Gabriel in his home. Something terrible has happened. Gabriel who is at once interrogator, bureaucrat and therapist begins an investigation. “Where were you on the 10th July 2016 at 2.34am when the lights went out?” he asks. “I was asleep,” Selwyn replies.

But was he? What follows is an intriguing inner journey of discovery about regret & real estate, flight & friendship, lies & integrity. And love – always love...

Kai Luke Brummer graduated from UCT in 2016 with a B.A Honours in Theatre and Performance, with distinction in Acting. He was awarded the Ellie Walendorf Prize for best male actor in 2015. He has performed in numerous theatre productions, including The Dead Wait directed by Mdu Kweyama, Ebola directed by Nicholas Ellenbogen, Black Dog/ Inj’enyama directed by Clare Stopford, Gavin Krastin’s Trophy and in (s)kin directed by Mbongeni Mtshali.

Mbulelo Grootboom is a Film, TV and stage thespian. He received a Fleur du Cap award in 2013 for his role in Mike van Graan’s 'Just Business'. He is currently appearing in four shows across the television channels. 

Richard Kaplan is a medical doctor working in the field of HIV research at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. His first play, 'The Finkelsteins are Coming to Dinner' was performed at the Alexander Bar and the Cape Town Fringe Festival in 2016. 'Selwyn & Gabriel' is his second play.

At the age of 31, Tara Notcutt is one of the most prolific directors of her generation. She is a celebrated independent director and producer, as well as Artistic Director of The Pink Couch, with a repertoire of award-winning and internationally travelling work under her belt. She has a BA in Theatre and Performance, majoring in Theatre Making, from the University of Cape Town. She has won the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors (2010), and the Baxter Theatre/GIPCA/ Theatre Arts Admin Collective Emerging Theatre Director’s Bursary (2010). She was a member of the prestigious Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab in New York City (2011), and is one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans (2012). Since 2009, Tara has presented works at 45 festivals in 15 cities in 4 countries on 3 continents, but South Africa is her favourite. Her most lauded works include '…miskien', 'Mafeking Road', 'Undermined', 'The Three Little Pigs', and 'Three Blind Mice'. She is also the South African Associate Director for the UK production of 'The Gruffalo', created by Tall Stories, and produced by National Arts Festival Grahamstown. Her most recent project was her 50th show that she directed, an all-female production of 'The Taming of the Shrew', presented at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in February 2018. 

Media & Reviews

Audience Responses

Fantastic performance by both Mbulelo and Kai. Immensely relatable, as we all have questions about what in this life would possibly make us truly happy and fulfilled, going about daily life being "busy being busy", while walking around with dark and lonely corners in our hearts - Selwyn's poem The Climb made some reference to that. I'm certainly guilty of that, so found easy resonance with much of the narrative. If it's relatable, you immediately draw an audience member in, and these two gents held my attention the whole time with their performance, even in the few silent sequences. The production was relatable both in its setting (post democratic, Cape Town, South Africa, with all its remaining flaws) and most importantly, at the personal level from Selwyn's perspective. Peppered with so many cleverly humorous, to sometimes poignant, written moments! Selwyn's naive question to Gabriel, "Do you have wings?", for instance, together with Gabriel's deliberately evasive non-answers. I say poignant, as Selwyn would have realised the full implication far sooner if he truly knew the full meaning of that question and it's answers, but that was not for him to know yet, only a tiny clue to the audience. Then, the moment Selwyn finally has full recollection of the timeline (and its consequences) - ah, man, what a little stab through the heart to an audience member! Less shocking about the fact that it happened (there was enough bread crumbs provided to the audience to know that may the outcome, so there was space to get prepared for that), more so about why Selwyn was brought to that point. It was the "why", which just immediately evoked feelings of empathy with Selwyn. Selwyn's despair and fear of confronting his true self was evident, immediately trying to misdirect Gabriel when the latter raised the issue by trying to sing again. That despair probably pushed him to the point of doing what he did. Finally confronting it in the closing scences, and embracing his true self, he appears lighter, laughs easier. Some questions remained to puzzle my more rational side, but it is possible I might have missed the answers to those while being engrossed with the emotional narrative of the play (so again, mission accomplished to the actors for keeping me totally involved in their performances). Was the print on the circuit breaker indeed his? Was it only similar or "nearly identical" to his, as Gabriel intimated, but not truly his? And if not, whose was it? I, for one, don't regret having these unanswered questions in this instance. After all, leave the audience wanting more. My congratulations to Kai, Mbulelo, Richard and Matthew on a great production. I truly look forward to viewing future productions any of them are involved in. For the Alexander management, this was my first visit to see a production, and I intend to visit again.

I took a group of students from UWC to see the play on Thursday and they enjoyed it very much indeed, as they are working on a script development project. with a visiting playwright from the US, who also really enjoyed the work. Taking students from a University that does not have a drama department to see shows like this is extremely useful, especially when as in this case, the production values were so good in terms of the script, the excellent performers, the design, etc. The class had very lively discussions about the play the following day in class. I want to ask the playwright if it would be possible for us to have access to the script, not for performance, but just for them to draw on in their essay requirements which require them to write a comparative assessment of some of the plys they have seen. my contact is Miki Flockemann 0822023241, or Mflockermann@uwc.ac.za. Or if you could put me in contact with the writer, I would be most grateful. I know you don't generally reply to this feedback, but I would be most grateful if you could put us in touch with the writer,

The play was fresh and clever and sad and funny; I loved it.

Really wonderful play. Well written, superb direction with strong and powerful performances delivered ! Thoroughly enjoyed .

Excellent show. Entertaining, funny, thought-provoking and quirky. We loved it.

Strong powerful performances by both characters and though a moving drama plenty of humor as well.

I thought it was zany, interesting, sharp and entertaining. And less than an hour which really works for me. My partner and I ate at Alexander Bar and the food and atmosphere were excellent and enjoyable.

A couple of stumbles over some of Gabriel's lines didn't detract from a telling performance. And who can quibble with a second chance of selfhood as a cute gay man?!? Clever and wise scripting and narrative; credible performances with impressive range and nuance. Sorry it wasn't full - it should have been!

absolutely brilliant!

Clever, witty show. Excellent acting from both actors. Great evening with good food as well. Please look at your aircon. It was very warm and airless in the theatre.

Script needs work - needs focus. What is the story and why do you want to tell it?

The show was wonderful! Tried to look for the owner/manager last night. No luck. A small concern. We were asked to pay for our two glasses of red wine via SnapScan without being given a till slip. Only upon insisting on the till slip was the order formally recorded and the till slip printed.

It was well acted and as a young gay man it obviously resonated with me especially because I came out at the same age as "Selwyn" did.

I thought Selwyn and Gabriel was fabulous! Just the right mix between humour and melancholy. And I thought the acting was superb.

VERY cleverly written and excellently delivered. I would love to see similar shows in future.

Selwyn and Gabriel is a fine piece of local writing which has been brilliantly brought to the stage in this production. The play itself is funny, touching and finally mysterious, and both actors are entirely convincing in their roles. At the end we were surprised to realise that it was only an hour long, as so much seemed to have happened. A shame about the small audience, but the performance was obviously much appreciated by those who were there.

Absolutely loved the play, wow I experienced so many emotions. Both Actors were brilliant and did a superb job. Congratulations to Matthew Kalil excellent job you can be proud of your achievement.

5 stars, Beautiful, very sensitively done. Very moving. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening!

Great play. Great venue. Had a wonderful evening. Will be back Thank you

thought it was great...!

Wonderful environment to watch a beautiful play! The actors and the directing were superb, the length was just right and music choice was spot on! Well Done Team!

Loved it! Great script Great acting

Very very good. Intriguing, interesting, gradual reveal, wonderful watchable actors, good direction. Pleased the advance publicity gives nothing away. If any "criticism" it is of the likelihood that a twenty-something white Jewish Cape Town man would attempt suicide because of his sexuality; not unbelievable, but less probable. But this did not diminish the enjoyment, since the play in the first place demands an element of suspension of reality belief.

I thought Selwyn and Gabriel was fabulous! Just the right mix between humour and melancholy. And I thought the acting was superb.

This was an amazing production ! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Please pass on my compliments to the actors, writer and director. Thank you.

Really wonderful play. Well written, superb direction with strong and powerful performances delivered ! Thoroughly enjoyed .

I thought it was well acted but the script was convoluted and one could work on the direction .

First time at the Alexander Bar and Theatre. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the quality of the production. Kudos to the venue and the artists involved in the play!

deeply moving, at times darkly funny. loved the intimacy of the venue and the intensity of the performances. and as for Richard Kaplan's script - wow!

Brilliantly! I loved every minute!

It was really lovely. From the idea to the execution, a real gem.

One of the best I’ve seen

Wonderful. Exactly the right amount of humour and gravitas, brilliantly executed moments of subtle surprise and warmth. Perfect references to contemporary Cape Town interracial and class issues without feeling at all forced or obligatory. Both characters equally formed, both actors wonderfully talented. Thank you everyone, I'm so glad I saw it!

Outstanding -- loved its blend of realism and metaphysics; its situatedness in the here and now in Cape Town, with references to Sea Point and the Brass Bell etc; and its unflinching, embodied contemporary race/gender politics.

It was really good and relevant to issues facing many people. Well written and great actors too. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

An excellent show. Thoroughly enjoyed the play, which was very professionally executed and well acted. The entire experience was an absolute pleasure. I will be back soon.

Outstanding -- loved its blend of realism and metaphysics; its situatedness in the here and now in Cape Town, with references to Sea Point and the Brass Bell etc; and its unflinching, embodied contemporary race/gender politics.

I really enjoyed Mbulelo Grootboom's performance, and also the interjection of the poem and it's tone was memorable. Props to the lady who done the lighting and sound too. KaiLuke's deliverance felt a little forced at times, but i suppose shouting at volume is hard to do, cant complain as overall it was an hour well spent. Kindly E

Excellent writing and directing with brilliant actors. I was moved, laughed, engaged with the story. Brilliant.

5 stars, Beautiful, very sensitively done. Very moving. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening!

Excellent performances by two amazingly talented and very easy to look at Performers! Well done on really getting the story across in such a captivating and entertaining way!

Absolutely phenomenal, the storyline was so intriguing and I never saw the ending coming. Great use of different genres and excellent acting skills. If there were more shows I would come back to see it again and again. What powerful subject matter. Keep it up guys!

Amazing! Loved the twist and both actors had great chemistry on stage.

We all greatly enjoyed this play. It was the first one I had seen they wasn't an adaptation of a play from abroad, so it was accessible and poignant.

both of them did well. I definitely think you need more African audience. I will rate 4

Pretty good. Loved the hour spent, but wanted more! I wanted more about the characters. I wanted the stakes to be higher.

Nice venue.great play

Excellently written, excellently performed and very well staged. Thanks for a great experience.

great production!!!!!

As a frequent member of Alexander audiences, I'm sorry to say that the play lacked gravitas. The message was vague and the dialogue mediocre. The acting was average - they sometimes spoke too softly to hear all their words! I laud unconventional theatre, but this production just did not engage me. Sorry...

If variety is the spice of life, then Selwyn & Gabriel is a curry with all the accompaniments that made it an entertaining experience. The acting was expressive, the humour flavourful and together with all the twists and turns, an overall laudable affair.

Really wonderful play. Well written, superb direction with strong and powerful performances delivered ! Thoroughly enjoyed .

Really wonderful play. Well written, superb direction with strong and powerful performances delivered ! Thoroughly enjoyed .

Loved the set ! Great attention to detail...

Excellent play! But there was no real build up to the kiss...

The play was provocative. It was fresh and touching. It reminded me of the importance of spaces like Alexander Bar where people can take chances with a script. It also reminded me of the gay UK show "Cucumber." Both highlight the struggles with self-acceptance. There's so much to still be mined locally about "gay shame." The ending was clever, you get a full appreciation of the struggles of Selwyn in the end. Of course, there are lots of other interesting things related to race, interracial intimacy, a "black" stranger in a "white" person's house, etc. I liked it. I liked it a lot. ;)

Fantastic production! Great actors! Really enjoyed the show! :-)

excellent show. loved the set!

Fantastic fantastic fantastic... terrific script, and production. Loved the darkness of the set which created so much tension. The script was clever... actors brought it to life... thank you! Tell the whole crew that they have done a fantastic job.

Brilliant performances - Kai is excellent. Great script

Both actors were superb as was the script direction and production looking forward to the next production. 5 star rating

great writing, great acting great direction. A night to remember !

I thought Selwyn and Gabriel was fabulous! Just the right mix between humour and melancholy. And I thought the acting was superb.

Outstanding -- loved its blend of realism and metaphysics; its situatedness in the here and now in Cape Town, with references to Sea Point and the Brass Bell etc; and its unflinching, embodied contemporary race/gender politics.

My party and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Selwyn & Gabriel was thought provoking. The atmosphere of the entire venue (theatre & bar) is delightful. Thank you

skillful writing and excellent performances. Gripping the 60 minutes vanished far too quickly.

It was a whirl wind from the start. It was fresh and energising. Loved the performance, the story, the intimacy.

Excellent show

Script needs work - needs focus. What is the story and why do you want to tell it?

An interesting play with intriguing interplay of ideas. Could, perhaps, be developed into something longer - more than one act? Good performances from actors who served the author well.

Amazing. So wonderful. Such an affirmation of the power and importance of 'our' stories.

Really wonderful play. Well written, superb direction with strong and powerful performances delivered ! Thoroughly enjoyed .

The group enjoyed the production - felt it dealt with deeper issues and conflicts in a fresh way. Casting good, acting was good - though I anticipated a less irascible Gabriel A short, sweet and highly watchable play

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Acting was superb!

superb

Absolutely FANTASTIC! Gave me goose bumps! What a stunning show.

Nice venue.great play

Fascinating and inventive piece. Gr8 and effective staging. Good writing which was effectively performed. What alex bar is well known to present. Thank you