Show Archive
Browse and search the archive of shows and events presented at Alexander Bar from Oct 2012 (when the theatre opened) to August 2019.
Unique Wonders with Stuart Lightbody
The magicians' secret world exists behind locked doors, Stuart Lightbody offers you a key. Spend an evening inside Stuart's mind, a place full of fading memories where strange impossibilities lurk. Each night the audience chooses exactly which wonders unfold, so no two performances are alike and anything could happen. Welcome to "Unique Wonders".
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We Didn't Come to Hell for the Croissants: Seven Deadly Stories for Consenting Adults
7 Deadly Sins. 7 writers. stories. Jemma Kahn and her irreverent side-kick return in the eagerly anticipated sequel to the international cult hit The Epicene Butcher with stories that seduce the sinless and astonish the immoral. It’s unmissable and definitely not for children. Unless you are an awful parent."A completely unique and mindblowing experience" - Cue Online
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In bocca al lupo
What could follow The Epicene Butcher and We Didn't Come to Hell for the Croissants? In bocca al lupo, Jemma Kahn's third kamishibai show: a graphic and candid and whimsical journey across three continents, using four story boxes, one giant cicada, a naked Catholic (or two) and one golden surprise.Using simple but beautifully drawn images displayed on cardboard story panels,
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Gertrude Stein and A Companion
Back by popular demand! Gertrude Stein and companion returns to Alexander bar following a sold out run earlier this year.This evocative and witty play explores the extraordinary relationship between lifelong partners Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas who rejected the conservative values of middle class America in the early nineteen hundreds and found refuge in the bohemian decadence of Paris…
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The Epicene Butcher
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
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Dani and the Lion
The Den is a cabaret bar at the end of the world that's always been plagued by the inevitability of being shut down and resident act, Dani and Leo, are giving their final performance at this little dive they've come to call home. To celebrate and mourn this Dani and Leo have put together a special set for you, an
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Civil Parting
Winner of a Standard Bank Ovation award at National Arts Festival 2014 | Nominated for best script at the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival | Fleur du Cap nominations for script and directorCivil Parting is a savagely funny comedy-drama about two men getting divorced. Glenn and Jean-Pierre have been married for seven years, as long as gay marriage has been legal
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The Finkelsteins are Coming to Dinner
A comedy-drama about love, death and sex. While grappling with a sense of alienation and the spirit of his tragically deceased mother, Nate, a gay artist falls in love with James, his delightfully strange and unusual model. As their relationship grows, we discover why we are on earth, what Walt Whitman really meant, if James Franco is gay and what
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Selwyn and Gabriel
“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
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Apple Face
That which is seen, cannot be unseen; unless that which is seen was never seen in the first place. Or maybe it was seen, but not quite in the way that it happened. If it even happened at all.Apple Face is a surreal comedy adventure that takes place at an outdoor music festival. A 40th birthday celebration turns sour when
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Love & Prozac
The naughty girls' (mis)guide to dating, bonking and other disasters!The Titanic of the dating world is on the prowl in a dirty comedy about love. One actress, thirteen sidesplitting characters.The smash-hit dirty comedy on the horrors of dating in your 30\'s is back! One actress, 13 hilarious characters. Directed by John Trengove and starring Sonia Esgueira, the show earned her
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Klara Maas se Hart is Gebreek, ensomeer: Die vloeistof trilogie.
Twee reisende spelers, ’n verteller en handlanger (afgewater uit die Commedia dell'arte kader), skets drie verhale: die biografie van ’n traan, ’n liefdesdriehoek tussen matador, mantel en bul en ’n legendariese nag van passie. Wessel Pretorius en David Viviers keer terug na KKNK met Klara Maas se hart is gebreek, plus twee nuwe verhale wat saam ’n trilogie oor lewensiklusse
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Dirty Words
Dirty Words was born in the fast and loose crucible that is Alexander Upstairs' own monthly experimental platform, Play Things. Immediately it became a cult sensation. Filthy, Explicit and incredibly funny… Dirty Words pulls back the covers on erotica, chat sex, dirty talk and naughty sexy grammar. In seven sketches Alicia and Dylan turn up the raunch, slipping in sexy
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The Good, The Bad and The Fugly
After a sold out run, The Good the Bad and the Fugly are back by popular demand! Inspired by true South African stories that seem too ridiculous to be true, The Good, The Bad and The Fugly explores social interactions behind the safety of our screens. Three women, three social media accounts and three times the drama. A tongue-in cheek
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Dead Yellow Sands
As a small boy at the funfair I let go of my father's hand. I was so caught up in the distracting sights and sounds I did not realise I was lost until somebody switched off the lights.Graham Weir telling tales of places that were and people he knew.
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between
"Between" returns to Alexander Upstairs having toured extensively over the last year, playing to sold-out houses and standing ovations.“Between is very engaging, fast paced and SEXY... theatre that explores aspects of male sexuality rarely seen so honestly.”This intimate story of a man's life, loves and losses was nominated for BEST WRITING and BEST ACTOR at the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
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COCK
Unhappy in his relationship, John wants out. Or maybe he just wants time out? A break from his boyfriend for a few weeks. Or maybe months? Actually, the whole problem is John doesn’t know what he wants. But the last thing he expects is to fall in love with a woman…Winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in
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Kafka's Ape
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
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The Emissary
The Emissary is a dark study of a friendship rooted in a lie. Written and directed by Louis Viljoen (The Pervert Laura, The Kingmakers) and starring award winning actors Emily Child and Andrew Laubscher. While waiting for her long-term boyfriend to return from an extended stay overseas, Delia agrees to meet Douglas, her boyfriend’s best friend, in order to discuss
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Sillage
Sillage | /si:’ja:?/the degree to which a perfume’s fragrance lingers in the air when worn. Sillage is the disquieting story of three generations of South African women and how their matriarchy sustains them – until they must pack up the family home.With cloying tensions heavy in the air, and lifetimes measured out in lost earrings, orphaned pen lids, and long-forgotten postcards;
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You Suck (and other inescapable truths)
You Suck (And Other Inescapable Truths) documents the spirited misadventures of a Grade 9 Afrikaans underdog and her crucial survival-advice as a minority in an Anglophile high school. It's about falling apart, fitting in, and getting even. It’s also hilariously funny, with Klara Van Wyk’s portrayal of the gum-snapping, rambunctious teen earning her a Fleur-Du-Cap nomination, Standard Ovation Award and
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Confessions of a Mormon Boy
The Off-Broadway hit comes to Cape Town! In this story of extremes from perfect Utah Mormon Boy to perfect New York Rent Boy, internationally acclaimed storyteller Steven Fales will take you places you didn't know you wanted to go! Told with humour, song, and The Book of Mormon. Ahead of its time for its edgy “unflinching honesty” (Salt Lake Tribune),
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London Road
The beautiful, poignant story of an unlikely friendship between two women, neighbours in a block of flats in Sea Point. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow. Stella is a Nigerian immigrant cagey about the details of her import/export business. Their lives collide after an incident of violence, and gradually they discover much in common - families scattered around the world,
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A Certain Lady
Based on the short stories of American literary icon, Dorothy Parker, A Certain Lady explores the heart of a woman in the 1920’s. Through five interwoven stories, the play examines a woman of wit living in the Jazz Age and her relationships with men, whiskey and the waltz. Dry, dark and sarcastic, A Certain Lady says what we wish we
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3 Tons of Fun
3 Tons of Fun, who have been hailed over the past 9 years as South Africa's most loved all-girl group will be doing 3 shows only at the Alexander Bar. An evening of music and fun! From Brenda Fassie to Gloria Gaynor and Diana Ross, from Pharrell to Robin Thicke, there is a bit of everything!Starring Saxy Sthe, Mysterious Michelle
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Renaissance
A South African expat obtains a working visa and becomes a night watchman in the National Gallery in London. He shares his story of growing up gay in a small South African town and ultimately finding himself despondent and disillusioned at life as a freelance actor in a foreign country. As we follow his night patrol, some artworks come to
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MATE
Dating in your 30s is kak. “Mate” walks through the cesspit of love, heartbreak, hope and all the grey bits in between. Sometimes crass, loud mouthed and white knuckled; “Mate” gets stuck in there and tackles dating, dining, sixty-nine-ing and matters of the heart. Set in a “Love Recovery” workshop, we meet three women experiencing the raw and painfully humourous
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The Visit
Luke is a great guy! He loves his wife Vanessa, his two healthy boys and his home. But Luke hates his life! He dislikes teaching drama at the local school and loathes being a failed actor even more. When Jacob, his best friend from university, now a Hollywood star, comes to dinner, all of Luke’s jealousies come rushing to the
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Contractions
Mike Bartlett's Contractions, first presented by London's Royal Court Theatre, debuts in South Africa at the Alexander Bar on the 25th January 2016. Starring Janna Ramos-Violante (Constellations, Venus in Fur,) Emily Child ( The Pervert Laura, Born in the RSA,) and is Directed by Greg Karvellas ( Bad Jews, Champ) this dark comedy explores the transformative dynamics of the corporate
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Violet Online
How can a divorce, being over forty and single, dating, being broke, having a thing for grammar and spelling, and an ever present tingling between the thighs be so utterly, delightfully delicious?Violet, who certainly isn’t a shrinking one, makes it so. Recently divorced, she barges into the world of cyber dating, Scrabble sex (you heard it here first), a midlife
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Dandelions and Stones: Death goes to Therapy
A play about death and therapy... and Death going to therapy.Dandelions and Stones is a brand new play by Jessica McCarthy and local drag sensation Lady Aria Grey that explores our relationship with life and death through drag, comedy, song and the therapeutic process. Many people don't know what to say about death, but what if Death had something to
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Nasty Womxn
If you really love Greek mythology, the old Divas of WWE or trashing other womxn then this is probably not the play for you. But if you love the Kardashians, candid CNN interviews, gold (everywhere), spelling womxn with an “x” and smashing the patriarchy one rape-culture-drenched mythological origin story at a time then this might just be your cup of
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From The Heart
From the Heart offers a glimpse behind the glamour, at the courage needed to be the supporting player to a superstar. Adapted from the book by June Carter Cash, From the Heart is a collection of defining moments in the life of a girl who was born into country music royalty. From little Junie, who talked too much and swung
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Angels On Horseback : Reloaded
Hot on the heels of a successful run at the Kalk Bay Theatre and KKNK , Cape Town ‘s favourite rude, raunchy and rocking Country Cabaret returns to Alexander Theatre FOR A PRE- Grahamstown canter!Cape Town ‘s favourite rude, raunchy and rocking Country Cabaret is ReBorn….. Angels On Horseback has been ReLoaded by the outrageously talented Genna Galloway and the
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Devilish
They say that the greatest trick that the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn’t exist. Well, Stuart Lightbody remains unconvinced.The multi-award winning sleight of hand artist Stuart Lightbody returns to Cape Town after a a tour that included Fringe World Perth where "Devilish" was nominated for the Theatre Award, and receiving a Standard Bank Ovation Award
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Love Me Tinder - Violet Online Rebooted
Will you be swiping right or left this festive season ? After a sold out run earlier his year Love Me Tinder - Violet Online Rebooted returns with more hilarious online adventures.Single, sassy and super confident, Violet continues her search for the perfect online match, and love, and sex, and even love and sex.
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Single Minded
The filthy mind behind the cult-hit Dirty Words is back at Alexander Bar with a sizzling new show. Mixing comedy and raunch with a dazzling disregard for politeness and moral hygiene, Jon Keevy serves up six scenes skewering sex and love. Mostly sex. Whether it's bachelorette parties, misleading dating profiles, loving yourself, or just good old fashioned homicide - Kat
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TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
Alexander Upstairs is proud to present the South African premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog. Described by The New York Times as “a deeply theatrical experience” it’s a play that tells the story of brothers named Lincoln and Booth – their father’s idea of a joke. Lincoln works in an arcade as his namesake – dressing in whiteface – pretending to watch
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Play Things
Surprises. The unexpected. The unforeseen. If these words fill you with dread then Play Things is not for you. Play Things is a platform for the odd, the eclectic, the unpredictable. It's an open-mic night of multiple genres and styles... we have poetry and comedy, drama and dancing, film and shenanigans. What will you see this time? Play Things is the
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Stuart Lightbody - Illusive
Join multi-award winning magician Stuart Lightbody in the Ovation Award winning show “Illusive” - Pure sleight of hand artistry, immersed in psychology and wrapped in imagination, this show delivers an experience of wonder that is rare, beautiful and illusive.“Every part of the performance is breathtaking and so elegantly executed you find yourself, if only for a moment, believing in magic.”
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The Things You Left Behind
Don’t miss this Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award winning production back by popular demandAn accident.Who was there?What did they see?What really happened?A white car-guard,a mother hooked on therapy,an American who came to South Africa and decided to stay,a paramedic bored with life,a struggling drag artist and lover of all things French.Five people’s experiences of a life.
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Psalter
Psalter (die naam vir ‘n boek van Psalms) is versameling grootword-herinneringe van ‘n Gaga-aanbidder, ‘n dissipel van Nina Simone en ‘n gesant van die maan in kitch engelvlerke. Dis ook ‘n ode aan drie susters - Greta, Joan en Bettie – elk vernoem na ‘n silwerdoekgodin, wat saam ‘n kind deur die veranderende seisoene probeer koester. Uit die pen van
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Dangled
Dangled is an adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s short story Diary of a Madman by mutli-award winning writer Louis Viljoen and performed by multi-award winning actor Rob van Vuuren. A dark psychosexual horror comedy exploring themes of sexual violence, verisimilitude and the creative process, Dangled is the first collaboration between Van Vuuren (The Three Little Pigs, A Dolls House) and Viljoen
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The Hucksters
The Hucksters is an acid-tongued exploration of a casual sexual encounter gone awry. A man and a woman meet after not seeing each other for years and what starts off as a romantic, booze fueled evening, slowly begins to unravel into a psychological mystery as an incident from their shared history rears its head. The mistakes of the past become
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bash
A collection of three dark and delicious one act plays, “bash” explores the complexities of evil in everyday life. Made up of unforgettable personal accounts by seemingly nice people, “bash” is one of Neil LaBute’s most popular and biting plays. His signature rich, raw language fills the mouths of a woman who tells of her complex relationship with her high
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Cheers to Sarajevo
At the dawn of the Yugoslavian war, a South African photo journalist records a soon to be taboo love affair between a Serbian man and a Bosnian woman. A love affair that has blossomed from the bud of a childhood friendship. But can love survive war? Can friendship survive Sarajevo?
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Oh Baby, I'm a Wild One
Oh Baby, I’m a Wild One is a new character study by multiple award-winning playwright Louis Viljoen (The Pervert Laura, The Emissary), starring Emma Kotze (Salt, Reparation).A young teacher arrives home from her sister’s wedding to an empty apartment, a bottle of wine and a pack of cigarettes. She has a story to tell, but doesn’t quite know where to
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In bocca al lupo
What could follow The Epicene Butcher and We Didn't Come to Hell for the Croissants? In bocca al lupo, Jemma Kahn's third kamishibai show: a graphic and candid and whimsical journey across three continents, using four story boxes, one giant cicada, a naked Catholic (or two) and one golden surprise.Using simple but beautifully drawn images displayed on cardboard story panels,
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