𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐈’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐮𝐬– 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐔𝐂𝐓 -𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑–𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
It was thrilling, an absolute joy, to attend the gala evening performance of Die Fledermaus at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, on October 25, 2025. The short season, presented by Opera UCT, ran October 23-26, with four performances. The season was way too short for this exceptional production, accompanied by The Cape Philharmonic, conducted by Jeremey Silver, the director of Opera UCT. SHe noted in the programme, that the opera premiered in 1847, “amid Vienna’s serious financial turmoil.” The opera offered audiences the “opportunity for glittering escapism”. Fast forward to 2025, Cape Town and he we needed this fabulous frolic, this hilarious production. It was pure escapism and hilarious, with the delicious dialogue riffing off Saffa-isms and Cape Town-isms. We shrieked with laughter.
By setting the production in contemporary Cape Town, veteran director, Christine Crouse, made it deliciously accessible for young hipster audiences. For instance, the ball scene was set in a jazz club in Cape Town. It worked brilliantly with the young cast clearly enjoying every moment. I loved the energy, with Crouse, setting up exits and entrances for the jittery protagonists. Ingenious multi levered set by Allegra Bernacchioni – heightening the exits and entrances and the comedy. I loved the jail scene – in a palimpsest of pastel colours. It reminded me of a wax crayon drawing by children, with a softening of its Polsmoor-ish location.
The principals looked gorgeous, dressed in gowns by designer Gavin Rajah – young, sassy, with pops of colour. The chorus was dressed by designers, under the mentorship of Rajah, working in The Future Wear programme, sponsored by Pick n Pay: A stunning array of cerise pink – florals and blocks of saturated hues –very much on-trend – with wide legged pants – ruffled tops – mix and match. There was a pop up store in the foyer, with the range. Loved this fun concept – selling affordable fashion in the foyer – at the opera.
As Alan Committie quipped, in his spiel as Frosch, the drunken jailer, Die Fledermaus is a complicated story. For this production, sung in German, there were surtitles in English and isiXhosa and dialogue in English. Whoa! He mused at the absurdity of all of that but it worked like a charm. Committie, pulling in all the strands, put it in all context and tied up the production, with his zany act as Frosch. It was a riotous feast as we roared from laughter. His act was peppered with asides about the opera scene in Cape Town and the theatres which stage opera. Committie worked with the students on their acting and physical comedy.
Outstanding performances by the principals and chorus. There were two casts. If I had been able. I would have attended again, to see the other cast. Committie was in both casts. We saw Setsoane Ntseki as Rosalinde; Carmen Traut as the maid Adele and Nica Reinke as Prince Orlofsky. Stunning performances – vocally and theatrically. This production was way beyond what one would expect from students. Kudos go to Jeremy Silver, Christine Crouse and team for creating a fresh and vibrant take on Die Fledermaus.
Die Fledermaus was last presented in Cape Town, as a full production, twenty years ago. It was a much anticipated production, especially for those of us who had not seen this famous opera staged live. It was World Opera Day on the Saturday gala night that I attended (October 25) and the gala evening was a celebration of opera and a celebration in honour of Strauss’s 200th birthday. Steenberg bubbly was served at interval. Opera UCT is doing astounding work with its students. Die Fledermaus was a triumph – as a production – as an event – with the collaboration with Gavin Rajah and Pick n Pay. I look forward to what is on the opera boards for 2026.
