| What: Kinnes van Somers Devised and performed by: Caitlyn Haywood, Irmah Jeleza Tiemie, Katelynne Matthews, Tameka Petersen and Tamsyn Alexander Direction: Tamsyn Alexander and Hanro Cloete When: October 2026 Where: Baxter Studio, Cape Town, October 6-10, 2026 Language: Afrikaans and English Bookings: Webtickets |
Kinnes van Somers: Impressive play, a devised work by a collective of super young bright creatives. The oldest is Hanro Cloete. He is 27. He is co-directing the play with Tamsyn Alexander. She is 25.
The script was devised by the cast of five – which includes Tamsyn – and Hanro – in the co-director’s seat. He is not in the play. They both grew up in Bloemfontein and attended the same university, studying drama.
The play germinated around the bogeyman fable/myth of Antjie/Andries Somers. But the notion of the “bogeyman” is a cross cultural thing – never mind what he/she is called. As it happens the Antjie/Somers fable is gender fluid and that is played with in this play – gender/sexual/identity politics.
It’s in Afrikaans and English and there are excellent surtitles- which do not distract.
It is a play which could be developed further into a dance piece. The physical movement is brilliant, with the young artists truly using their bodies as the primary medium of expression- and voice.
Superb set design and quirky costumes and props (enamelware dishes, dishcloths). Innovative puppetry and animation.
Loved the soundtrack- harbours, seas, birds chirping and calling. Who is calling in this cautionary tale, a prompt to embrace agency and not be deterred by the bogeyman.
The play is part of the Baxter Zabalaza Finest of The Fest and runs until Saturday- Oct 10.
Yes, it could do with tweaking and I think the narrative could be heightened by more physical theatre – like being rigged from the ceiling – cirque style. The audience did not realise that the play had finished. So, that needs some way of signaling the end of this story.
Bravo to the team – for this stunningly crafted play. Terrific direction. Sylvaine Strike was the mentor and creative supervisor.
Watch pop-up interview here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeP-DVDIoeU/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E1zpcBw
✳ Kinnes van Somers, Baxter Studio, Cape Town, October 6-10, 2026. Pic: Xolani Tulumani.
