Show Archive

Twee jong vreemdelinge ontmoet een oggend onder die brug by die Gardens Centre. Die een is uit geskop en die ander een het weg gehardloop van die huis af. Een is wit en een is bruin. Alhoewel hulle van verskillende agtergronde kom, is daar soveel wat hulle eintelik in gemeen het. “Van swerwers sonder rigting, van soekers wat nooit vind

CityVarsity hosts the inaugural 3rd year Degree Solo Project festival. The 7 Obsessions is an original programme, crafted by CityVarsity’s senior Acting students, which challenges them to write, direct, produce and perform their own solo theatrical pieces.  Encompassing multiple cultures, languages and social perspectives, each of the seven pieces grapples with a range of issues relevant to South African youth.

Join Stuart Lightbody as he delves into the rich secret tradition of past masters of the humble pack of cards and performs some of his favourite pieces from his award winning one-man shows, plus a few brand-new-just-might-be-possible feats of illusion.It’s a night of stories, playfulness and wonder.  “Every part of the performance is breathtaking and so elegantly executed you find

Tatiana, a giant female player from rural Russia, is planning to commit suicide after one last game with legendary Coach Frik ‘The Legend’ Du Perez. Her plans are scuppered when they are locked in by a hapless security guard, forcing them to spend the night together. As the sexual tension mounts a devastating secret is revealed. Will Tatiana live to

We bring you a scintillating round-up of popular readings selected from all the previous Naked Girls Reading events to date! In the past year and a half we've delighted you with tales of love, horror, wisdom and celebration and can't wait to share our favourite picks of the bunch.This event is being held in conjunction with The Grand Exhibition, International

From the creators of ‘Big Boys Don’t Dance’ comes another zany, energetic and highly entertaining show. Vanessa Harris – ‘Love At First Fight’ and director of ‘Big Boys Don’t Dance’, Lucy Tops – ‘Absolucy’ and ‘Stealing Bette’ and Cassandra Money, bring down the house is this crazy cabaret comedy. Three totally over the top chicks holding it together when all

When a friend says, “You will never guess what happened to me… I can’t believe I’m telling you this but… I will never forget when…” what follows is usually an intimate story that reveals a kernel of truth about the way we live. When We Were Nearly You is a storytelling show that celebrates this kind of personal tale. Storyteller

The Long Shots return to Alexander Bar once again, to bring you their reliably hilarious brand of improvised comedy!Using an audience suggestion as their starting point, the troupe will create improvised scenes right before your eyes: making up characters, dialogue and environments as they go along. Nothing is preplanned, there is no script, and no one knows what is going

Mysteries spun into melodies to soothe my heart and bless your ears.

The Buckfever Underground has been around, in one form or another, for 20 years. Formed in Grahamstown in 1998, the band moved to Cape Town in the early 2000s where they earned a reputation as an idiosyncratic live act. In recent years, band members have come and gone, and they currently play as a three-piece: Toast Coetzer (vocals), Stephen Timm

Tracy Norman is an up and coming singer-songwriter with an ability to capture and hold an audience in vulnerable curiosity with her gentle acoustic guitar and sultry, soulful voice. Her songs are a thoughtful reflection of the beauty and struggle of life as well as the issues facing our society. Join her for an intimate performance alongside her band in

Casper Ace & The Wild Cards entertain with an eclectic selection of hit songs, some original and currently being played on national radio, and some spanning back decades to the early days of Rock 'n' Roll. Formed in early 2017, they’ve already entertained audiences from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town to the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn with performances

Snatched from Slava's Snow Show before he escapes back to Europe. Come witness Chris (originally from Zimbabwe)'s raw physicality and exquisite grasp of the grotesque. He has a seemingly endless supply of explosive tricks. He's been feverishly subverting the tradition of alternative comedy, shattering our cosy pre-conceptions with his extraordinary off the wall surrealism and spontaneous modern clown. A last

In her dressing room, an aging prima donna gets ready for a show. She has been playing Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd for the last 19 years and she sees today as no different. Unbeknownst to her, however, on this particular day the fragile props which underpin her life will begin to fall away. Will she make it to the

Jeremy Danneman is a New York based, saxophonist/clarinetist/composer. Sophie Nzayisenga, from Rwanda, is a vocalist and the only professional female inanga player in the world. They first met in 2009 when Danneman was giving street performances in Rwanda to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi people. In 2017, Danneman and Nzayisenga released their first album together,

The true story of growing up with a deep wound and hiding from your own reflection, to painting all the pieces back together and discovering the treasure within, through art. Go on a transformational journey from Egypt to Rome, from Rome to Romanticism, from Romanticism to Modern Art. Looking at the development of the child, combining art and drama with

Join us for "Johannesburg comes to Cape Town edition" of NAKED GIRLS READING: A wondrously nude celebration of stories that has been described as the most provocative literary series in the world. For our Cape Town season, which is part of the POPupstairs season, we will be celebrating African authors and stories under the theme "I am African, therefore I am". With

Stand-up comedy duo Stuart Cairns and Westley Cockrell will perform their show, THE PLOTHOLE, at Alexander Upstairs, 19 - 22 June, 9pm.  The show had runs at the National Arts Festival, Cape Town and Johannesburg last year and will return to Grahamstown for a second season at the end of June. This year, the duo has enlisted Rob van Vuuren

Modelled on the UK version, Village Drinks Cape Town is a monthly networking event for gay professionals in Cape Town. Village Drinks Cape Town will also offer businesses an opportunity to profile their services and products to the sizable gay market in Cape Town. Entrance includes your first drink (draft beer, house wine or soft drink). This event takes place

Young, queer and struggling. With life. With love. With money. Sipho Mahlatshana brings to the stage the story of an actor caught between big dreams and bad decisions. A story of chance, taking them and asking for them in audition after audition until tragedy throws everything off course. Will a new obsession keep him sane? Or will he be just a

Olivia arrived in the town with her Dad; she was the new girl, the quiet girl, the weird girl. Then she met Kay, the girl with the scar.Told in two parts, Owl begins with a new friendship in the heat of the Overberg summer between two ten-year-old girls, and finds them again six years later. It’s an honest picture of

Let's turn it up and make it rain for some of Cape Towns hottest Burlesque and Boylesque Artistes as they give a little Extra for this scandalous shimmy shake down.It's a real hoot, with performances that promise to be seductively Savage to get you LIT AF. Ain't no hot messes here,  just Legendary devilment and gaieties galore for our sinsational #sundaybumday

Mae Sithole has graced stages from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Dakar - Senegal, HIFA (Zimbabwe) to Nice - France, and her home country Zimbabwe. In Cape Town, Mae has performed at the Alma Cafe, the Barleycorn Music Club, the Armchair Theatre, the Blah Blah Bar and the Alexander Bar. Her new track "Jailor", produced by Andrew Baird (Orangotan Music)

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Godfrey Johnson in Cabaret is the perfect end of year show starring Godfrey Johnson and Nicholas McDiarmid. The show features the songs of Brel, Cohen, Madonna, Kermit the Frog and many more. A show filled with satirical madness and musical mastery. Johnson is joined by \"magic fingers\" McDiarmid and together they perform mind blowing and hilarious duets, from Mozart to

Emma van Heyn is a singer- songwriter and actress from Cape Town, South Africa. Her voice is paired with a balance of acoustic and electronic instrumentation, subtly making use of instrumental and vocal looping. This brings out the poly-tonal and -rhythmic elements in her jazz pop/ progressive pop originals. Supported by Robin Molteno (guitar), Luke Verrezen (bass and keys), Lilavan Gangen

After a successful year of bringing womxn's stories to the forefront, Sarafina Magazine invites you to join the conversation. Inspired by The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtables, Sarafina Magazine: Live will feature discussions with South Africa’s leading womxn artists and arts industry professionals. Sarafina Magazine founder, Candice Bernstein, will moderate the second installment of the bi-monthly talkback series which kicked off in

"For the love of music" with Christy-Lyn: Celtic harpist and singer. The singer-harpist from The Voice SA will transport listeners to another world as she shares songs about love for the homeland, a mother's love, fleeting love, and love that lasts a lifetime. Known as the harpist with the curly red hair from The Voice South Africa 2017, Christy-Lyn wowed the

Fresh from New York, having played at the legendary Bitter End, this cape-town born artist shares a uniquely poetic take on song-writing, fused with an honest depth of performance and truly ‘lives her songs’.It is not often one comes across a performer that so delicately embraces melody and lyrics with a powerful intimacy that draws listeners in. Acoustic folk that

 "A little bit of folk; a little bit of country; a whole lot of raspy cut-to-the-heart feeling." - Rolling Stone SAAfter taking a short hiatus to make babies, Shotgun Tori is back on the road, (and on a stage) with new songs and stories about a different life. With a full band album release due for early next year, she's

Witness this band leading you through some of their sultriest and hair-raising Contra-Balkan, Hosh-Klezmer and Parisian peep show inspired music. A powerful wind triumvirate comprising Eu(PH)onium and two S(AX)ophones formed by the alumni principal players of the South African National Youth Orchestra: Shaun Acker, Andrea Fisher-Jeffes and Levi Alexander. Original compositions.

Inspired by the likes of Elliot Smith, Jeff Buckley, Damien Rice and David Gray, Brynn plays a poetic blend of folk and alternative rock. Gathering a positive following through their performances at varieties of venues and festivals around Cape Town (such as the Cape Town Fringe Festival, Folk and Acoustic Festival Cape Town and Straight No Chaser) Brynn delivers powerfully

Salome, after performing a seductive dance of the seven veils at the request of Herod her lascivious stepfather, the young princess demands the head of John the Baptist. Salome claims her gruesome trophy and after an ecstatic act of necrophilia, she too meets a violent end. Opera composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen unpacks ”Salome" a succès de scandale for composer Richard Strauss.

Off the wall comedy - back by popular demand!Gaëtan Schmid returns as the eccentric Eastern European professor who rants about the history and propagation of the English language, its idiosyncrasies and etymological quirks. Don't mind the prof's lack of vocabulary, ill-fitted costume and small suitcase. His exuberance will blow your socks off! Directed by Rob Murray.“... a class act …

Previously performed at Artscape theatre as part of Heritage month celebrations, Sunset View comes to Alexander Upstairs this November for a more intimate setting. Zinzi Nogavu's soulful voice is accompanied by a fusion of both African and western instruments, contributing to a fresh and uplifting sound that she continues to hone in her career.

“I got expelled, I got wasted, I’ve been to Mars and back and I was taken for a fool.” Gavin Gold’s Punk Pop songs tell real life stories you will relate to. The loudness of his songs has been toned down into an acoustic unplugged set that will get you rocking without bursting your eardrums.

Inspired by the likes of Ray Lamontagne, Damien Rice and Conor Oberst, Brynn is an Alternative Folk band, led by New Zealand vocalist and songwriter Jules Terea.  Gathering a loyal following through their various performances across Cape Town (Nu-Breed Festival at the Cape Town City Hall, The Cape Town Fringe Festival, Straight No Chaser, Alma Cafe) Brynn delivers powerfully honest

The New Abnormal is a live music performance by Kenyan born artist, Silas Miami. It is unique in that it is a very visual experience for the audience. It will include a mix of afro-jazz music and contemporary dance. Silas will perform his own original music and mix it up with a few heart-warming covers. The audience will also be

Although black people claim to have a wonderful relationship with Jesus, it is not a good relationship. Sociologist Lwando Scott attempts to unpack the often invisible destructive concept of Jesus for black people, particularly around the narrative of the "New Jerusalem".

The Long Shots are back at the Alexander Bar with their quirky and hilarious long form improv style! It’s all made up on the spot…Come and see a series of improvised scenes and stories inspired by audience suggestions. Everything is improvised: no planning, no script, just the comedy that comes from being in the moment!FORMAT: ARMANDOThe "Armando" (named after Chicago

"Winning formula... Electric... Seamless marriage of song, dance and humour." - Cape Times"Who knew that fingers could say so much?" - Monday MissileUNDERMINED mashes up comic book and African storytelling, to tell the true tale of Madlebe, an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift, who came from Mozambique to find a job and take a better life home to his

A travelling Aquarium. The night before Christmas. To the strains of Boney M a luckless magician, his disenchanted sister and their trained cat take family magic to the next level.  Aquarium is a comedy (with some magic) performed by Ryan Dittmann (Stranger Things, Lake) and Rachael Neary (Actress & Girl, Father, Father. Father!) , directed by Frances Slabolepszy (Whistle Stop)

This triple bill brings a gang of South African singer-songwriters together. Spoken word stalwarts The Buckfever Underground (playing as trio on the night) bring their 19-date nationwide tour to a close at the Alexander Bar. Comedy-folkpunk duo Die Skynmaagde (think Flight of the Conchords... in Afrikaans!) join them as well as under-rated Hanru Niemand - if he doesn't make you

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's four weirdos from Cape Town in pyjamas! Marvel at the mirth as the funny foursome use their stand-up comedy powers against the forces of Evil.Starring Angel Blythe Campey, Gareth Woods, Peter Sserwanga and Schalk Bezuidenhout in what can only be described as INCREDIBLE! Or CAPE COMEDY! #capecomedy

Relaxing after an epic weekend at the 2018 Cape Town International Jazz Festival? Join Shaun Acker (sax) and Brittany Dilkes (piano/voice) for a resting-pulse evening of broody, bluesy, husky jazz classics: Summertime, Georgia on my Mind, Temptation and others. Sip some bourbon and wind back into your week with music by Tom Waits, Diana Krall, Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin.

shnit CAPE TOWN have teamed up with The Alexander Bar once again to bring you 'A taste of shnit'. A monthly screening of only the best short films that shnit has to offer. For August we are celebrating Women's Month with a selection of thought provoking and exciting films made by female directors from all around the World.Now in its

Nothing beats a night of smoking hot blues on a warm Summer evening...... Except maybe blues and beautiful boudoir burlesque, artfully paired together to create a unique LIVE experience that will leave audiences thrilled!Take two of the hottest blues boys in Cape Town, add a handful of sultry burlesque beauties and you are instantly taken back to the speakeasy era

An artist trapped in the incomplete world on her canvassas, a convicted murderess out on parole, a reporter desperate for a story to save his career, find themselves on a desolate farm off the beaten track. They set out to unravel the past in order to get a glimpse of their future, revealing a web of lies and deceit, hidden