What: Teater op Toer
When and where: August 12 – 22, starting at the Drama Factory then going to Paternoster’s Die Koelkamers and elsewhere in the Cape
Presented by: Leftfoot Productions and The Drama Factory
Bookings: www.thedramafactory.co.za    

Sue Diepeveen of The Drama Factory in the Strand and Ignatius van Heerden of Leftfoot Productions in Gauteng are collaborating on facilitating an innovative and exciting tour of award winning work in the Cape. Van Heerden talks about the diverse programme which includes dance theatre, cabaret, immersive theatre, comedy and contemporary drama and which “reflects the richness of South African theatre”. He says: “Projects like these often begin with a leap of faith. They aren’t always financially guaranteed, but they are built on a shared belief that meaningful work deserves an audience.”

TheCapeRobyn: Can you tell us about Teater op Toer, which runs August 12 – 22, starting at the Drama Factory then going to Paternoster’s Die Koelkamers and  elsewhere, including a run at the new Antique Theatre in Kloof Street.

Ignatius van Heerden: Teater op Toer is an initiative by Leftfoot Theatre Productions and The Drama Factory, bringing eight acclaimed productions to audiences beyond traditional theatre spaces. The season runs from August 12–22at The Drama Factoryin Somerset West, followed by August 27–30 at Die Koelkamers in Paternoster, before continuing to additional venues. Seun just had a run at the new Antique Theatre in Cape Town. The initiative aims to make quality South African theatre more accessible while extending the life of award-winning productions.


TCR: How did this tour come about? How did this collaboration come about with The Drama Factory and Sue Diepeveen? Sue performs in Prooi/Prey and was involved in the creation of what is described as an immersive theatre production. From what I can see the first staging was this year – 2026? Was that when the two of you got together to bring works on tour to the Cape – and where else? Joburg?

IVH: Teater op Toer grew from a shared belief that outstanding theatre deserves a longer life than a single festival or short season. Leftfoot Theatre Productions and The Drama Factory have collaborated successfully on productions including Prooi/Prey, which premiered in 2025 at Vrystaat Arts Festival, making this initiative a natural next step. Sue Diepeveen’s involvement strengthened the partnership, bringing together independent theatre-makers to tour award-winning work across the Western Cape, with plans to expand the initiative to other regions, including Gauteng, in future.

TCR: Where else will these productions be on at in the Cape – in addition to Die Koelkamers and the Antique Theatre?

IVH: There will be performances of O meno O Pouse and Dubbelspel at Kalfiefees.  O meno O Pouse is also going to Mosselbay and Stilbaai.

TCR: Is the ethos of this tour – presented as Afrikaans theatre?

IVH: While many productions are in Afrikaans because we produce many works for the Festival Circuit, Teater op Toer is not defined by language but by the quality and diversity of its storytelling. The programme spans dance theatre, cabaret, immersive theatre, comedy and contemporary drama, reflecting the richness of South African theatre. We welcome productions in any language and hope the initiative becomes a platform where independent theatre-makers can reach new audiences, regardless of genre or language.

TCR: Is Leftfoot and the Drama Factory co-producing? It is a mammoth undertaking – with for the most part, creatives from Johannesburg.  Do you have funding?

IVH: Teater op Toer is a collaboration between Leftfoot Theatre Productions and The Drama Factory, with both companies contributing resources, expertise and infrastructure to make the initiative possible. While we have received support from valued partners for some productions’ pre-productions costs (Nati and Innibos for SEUN)(South African State Theatre for TRANS/VAAL), the project is largely driven by the participating producers and artists themselves. Touring productions of this scale is a significant undertaking, but we believe collaboration is essential to creating more performance opportunities and building sustainable audiences for independent theatre.

TCR: Do you see this tour leading to other collaborations – out of Joburg? This season is emblematic of what you do – as choreographer, dancer, performer in dance theatre and drama. It gives a platform for your work and work by others – which is exciting. Hopefully more of this in the future – and for us in Cape Town?

IVH: I certainly hope this tour opens the door to many more collaborations beyond Johannesburg. I’ve always believed that theatre should travel to audiences, not only exist in our major centres. One of the driving forces behind my work is creating opportunities—for myself, but equally for other artists and productions. Projects like these often begin with a leap of faith. They aren’t always financially guaranteed, but they are built on a shared belief that meaningful work deserves an audience.

My hope is to continue bringing productions to Cape Town and, just as importantly, to smaller towns where quality theatre isn’t always easily accessible. If Teater op Toer proves anything, it’s that there is an appetite for this kind of collaboration and exchange.


My focus is on creating, producing and touring new work through my own projects and collaborations.

❇ Featured image: Dubbelspel, starring Arina de Witt and Ignatius van Heerden and Marie-Heleen Coetzee is directed by Johan van der Merwe. The script is by Braam van der Vyver, and is based on the 1973 novel, Dubbelspel by the Curaçaoan author Frank Martinus Arion. The play will be on tour in the Cape, August 2026, as part of Teater op Toer platform, presented by Leftfoot Productions and The Drama Factory. Pic: Supplied.