| What: Wolf Biscuit When: October 14โ18, 2025 at 8pm Where: The Outlore Base, 2nd Floor, 80 Hout St. Cape Town CBD Tickets: R150 Bookings: Quicket Direct booking link: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/329788-wolf-biscuit/?ref=events-list Written and directed by: Pierre Malherbe Performers: Andrew Roux and Brett Williams Production design: Adrian Collins Poster designs: Mundane Studio from original artwork by Anna Nurse Age restriction: No under 18s Running time: 70 minutes |
Wolf Biscuit, written and directed by Pierre Malherbe is a hoot. It is a lot of fun, with laughter and dark humour which is scrumptiously macabre. This wacky and surreal, absurdist suspense thriller is performed by Andrew Roux and Brett Williams. They are two dudes who face off, each other, competing and vying to score in a sector with high stakes.
The writing cleverly riffs off getting jobs in the film industry. You may be shortlisted. You may have a call back but you donโt have the job, until the PO (Purchase Order) has been issued and the money has been paid into your account. It is awesome for the person who gets the job but not for the one who gets tossed. It sounds cryptic but to reveal more would plot spoil. It is said that we live for our work and in Wolf Biscuit, this is taken to another level. Reference is made to one of my favourite films, with two men circling each other and waiting for instructions but if I reveal the film, it will plot spoil Wolf Biscuit.
The POPI act is cited in the play. The POPI Act, or Protection of Personal Information Act (Act 4 of 2013), is โSouth Africa’s data privacy law that protects personal information processed by public and private organizations.โ And indeed, I must heed the rights of the playwright in not spoiling this absurdist romp with two men and their coffee mugs, gear, gym bags and accessories.
Roux is deliciously droll as he slides his way through awkward and increasingly tense conversations, with Brett Williams, playing tag to his ripostes. They pull one along in their intense and comical interactions in tightly confined spaces. Adrian Collinsโ design heightens the claustrophobia โ physically and emotionally. I loved the garish greenish garb, cartoon-like socks, and the way the action is shrouded and wrapped in lime green light (like a crรจme soda milkshake). It reminds me of a Tarantino film.
The Wolf Biscuit of the title is not a reference to a campfire treat โ a biscuit โ cooked over a fire. I found this out with the help of Google. It is in the body of the play and that is all I can say. I can mention that a banana is eaten. Thoroughly enjoyed this darkly funny play. Terrific escapism at the theatre. We need that.
โณ Brett Williams and Andrew Roux in Wolf Biscuit, written and directed by Pierre Malherbe, premiere season, October 14โ18, 2025, The Outlore Base, 2nd Floor, 80 Hout St. Cape Town CBD. Image supplied.
