I was blown away by Actress – starring Talia Kodesh as herself and Stephen van Niekerk as her sidekick (Partner, Mohel and Man Friday). Excellent script by Kodesh and Bruce Denill. Terrific songbook – original music and lyrics composed by Denill. Kodesh and Denill tag Actress as a “pocket musical”. That is a good description of this mini-musical/bonsai musical. It is Kodesh evoking her lived experience, as an actress, mother, daughter and wife. Superbly crafted text and performance, streamlined but nuanced and stylish staging.
Actress starts with Kodesh living her best life as an actress in New York, her return to her home town, in Johannesburg and the musical theatre scene. That trajectory gets interrupted by motherhood. Along the way, there are delicious chirps and prompts from her mom.
The story unfurls, with Kodesh, the multi-threat performer flexing her vocal, dance and acting smarts as she navigates and juggles the proverbial balls that go with her career as a thespian. It is very funny, entertaining, tender and moving. By the way, tennis balls are used in a brilliant scene, with Kodesh and Random Props Guy getting into full swing. Random Props Guy is not a random dude at all. Hilarious to watch the expressions on Stephen van Niekerk’s and hear him speak in parts. Kodesh is phenomenal – athletic, feisty, graceful, urgent, nurturing – in all the roles that she juggles – and her comedic timing is awesome.
Within the mirth, lies pathos – shifting around the cubes of life as best as we can – finding a template which works – despite dreams and aspirations. Sarah Roberts’ set has made inspired use of Mondrian cubes (rostrums). Lighting by Denis Hutchinson articulates props at strategic moments. Daniel Geddes in the director’s seat has woven it all together, seamlessly. The Naledi Award was totally deserved. Actress received six Naledi nominations at the 2023 Naledis. Kodesh received the award as Best Lead Actress in A Musical.
Actress was on at The Drama Factory in The Strand, from April 8-12, 2026. This was its first outing in Cape Town. I saw Actress on the weekend of its brief run and put a quickie review on social media. I am extending my review slightly here, hampered by pain from a broken elbow (which occurred two days after I saw the show) so I am typing one-handed.
Actress was conceived by Kodesh. She wrote the excellent script with Denill. As mentioned, he composed the terrific songbook – music and lyrics. I am familiar with the work of musical theatre star, Kodesh. I am familiar with Denill’s fine work as an arts writer and critic but had no inkling that he is also an accomplished musician and composer.
This is Denill’s first rodeo, staging a musical theatre, He says: ”I’ve played one instrument or another since I was seven and have been performing (solo or in bands) and writing songs for 35 years and recording original music for 30 years (see my name on Spotify). Actress is the first stage play I’ve written or written music for, though other songs have appeared on a number of TV shows and radio playlists.”
The genesis of Actress goes back to 2021, when Kodesh pitched the idea to Dennill. He explains:“… The first iteration of the stage musical (at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre) in 2033. For that first run, we received six Naledi nominations, with Talia winning Best Lead Actress in A Musical. We’ve since had runs at RedFest (also Joburg), the Hilton Festival in KZN and now in Cape Town. The next run is not planned yet – we will spend the next few months refining our next play (also a musical – script finished and songs written) and aim to get that staged next year before bringing Actress back. And we’d love to come back to Cape Town.”
Musicals – large scale and mini – are not easy to create. Interesting stories do not automatically transfigure on stage as compelling musical theatre. Composing memorable songs and lyrics is another story. I frequently see terrific musical theatre productions – in terms of performance and staging – but the book – actual music and lyrics – leaves me nonplussed. This team has made magic with Actress. It is a treat of a show; a tonic. Loved. Loved. Loved. I hope to see them create more musicals. Bravo.
❇ Talia Kodesh in Actress. Pic: Lauge Sorensen
