Zubayr Charles’ play Brasse, Tot Laat Toe, starring Anzio September and Abdullatief Davids and directed by Carlo Daniels was on in the Baxter Masambe, August 7-15, 2026. This was September’s 3rd time as actor in a Zubayr Charles play. He gives insights:
TheCapeRobyn: Without giving too much away, can you talk about the character you play – Junaid, the former best friend of Luqmaan, who returns to his friend’s home after his wife’s death? Insights into how you have delved into themes of friendship, masculinity, family, platonic love, growing older?
Anzio September: The character Junaid is similar to who Anzio is in reality. The trials and tribulations that he faces in Brasse, Tot Laat Toe mimics tragic and beautiful moments in my life too. The play reminds me that family, friendship and love is the core of humanity
TCR: Can you talk about performing in this play by Zubayr, with Carlo Daniels in the director’s seat and his (Carlo’s) approach which is rooted in physical theatre? It is your third play with Zubayr, but the first time in which he is not directing? Comments?
AS: Carlo and I have acted alongside one another in Colleen, The Musical, his character and mine are best-friends, so a lekker connection and relationship was established between Carlo and I. He is a true talent and has a strong attention to detail and nuance. This was the first physical theatre piece I’ve worked on. There were challenging moments, but Carlo allowed us to explore and play. I find it exciting to work with different directors and get to know their creative minds.
TCR: Can you talk about working with Carlo, taking this play from page to stage – powered by physical theatre? This is very different to the staging of Zubayr’s previous plays? It is not new territory for you. In terms of the body as a medium of expression, you have done extensive work in musical theatre which required you to dance and move, beyond text. I am thinking of Marc Lottering’s musicals and of Canal Walk Theatre’s Aladdin, where you took on the titular role as Aladdin. You have been nominated for theatre awards for your musical theatre work and for your work in Zubayr’s plays. You worked with Carlo in Marc Lottering’s Colleen: The Musical, so the two of you are not strangers. Must be exciting to work together again?
AS: It has been truly so lekker to work with Carlo. Being my first physical theatre piece, it was really exciting to use movement that’s not dance related to express a moment or a story, I’ve gained some strong tools to use. Carlo’s vision for the show is seen throughout his interpretation of magical realism, which was so exciting as an actor to play with. Zubayr’s work requires pure realism and reflects “a slice of life” on stage. Carlo and Zubayr’s vision collides beautifully for Brasse, Tot Laat Toe.
TCR: It must be exciting to have the opportunity to work on a drama which is in Afrikaaps – which is being staged with physical theatre? It gives you the opportunity to use your vast theatric vocabulary?
AS: More Afrikaaps stories are needed on the stage and on TV too! There are so many different cultural traditions in the brown community that aren’t shown. Zubayr is a force to be reckoned with! He is switching up the narrative by writing and bringing more brown stories to the stage and Afrikaaps is just the beginning. I grew up hearing the Afrikaaps dialect in and around family. Such an expressive language and even better to play with!
TCR: Tell us about working with Abdullatief Davids, a newcomer to Zubayr’s plays? It is a two-hander, which requires heavy lifting in terms of its intense subject matter. That takes an intimacy and trust. Have you worked with Abdullatief before?
AS: Abdullatief is such a wonderful person and kind hearted. We’ve also established a lekker connection and relationship. Abdullatief is a lovely talent and I’m so glad he gets to be seen. We work well together because we support, trust and care for one another tackling these heavy themes in Brasse, Tot Laat Toe.
✳ Anzio September in Zubayr Charles’ play Brasse, Tot Laat Toe, Baxter Masambe, August 7-15, 2026. Photo: Brick Mbekwa.
