| What: Dolliwarie When: May 22-24, 2025 Where: Theatre Arts, Cape Town, Methodist Church Hall, cnr Milton Road and Wesley Street, Observatory Tickets: R160 Bookings: https://theatrearts.co.za/show/dolliwarie Duration: 60 minutes Performer/creator: Sjaka S. Septembir Direction: Carlo Daniels and Aldo Brincat Lighting design: Sjaka S. Septembir Original music and sound: Jacques du Plessis and Gertjie Besselsen Costume design: Isabelle Grobler Booking: https://theatrearts.co.za/show/dolliwarie |
Dolliwarie, created and performed by Sjaka S. Septembir will be on in Cape Town at Theatre Arts, for a short season, from May 22-24, 2025. Direction is by Carlo Daniels and Aldo Brincat. Septembir describes Dolliwarie as “darkly comic and visually rich physical theatre” which “explores guilt, the absurdity of control, and the liberating power of the inner clown”. Dolliwarie made its debut at the 2022 Vrystaat Kunstefees and this is an expanded for the season at Theatre Arts.
Although the language is Afrikaans, as physical theatre, with clowning and mime, language is not central to the piece which tackles through “the broken psyche of a father-son relationship”. If you are wondering how Dolliwarie, may be translated into English – Dolliwarie may be understood as ‘a mess’ and ‘chaos’. Septembir says: “Dolliwarie is our ‘anti’ hero. Read on for more and watch this space for more on this acclaimed production:
DOLLIWARIE – A THEATRICAL FEVER DREAM OF ABSURD BEAUTY AND EMOTIONAL TRUTH
Directed by Carlo Daniels and Aldo Brincat | Created & Performed by Sjaka S. Septembir
Dolliwarie is a darkly comic and visually rich physical theatre work that tumbles through the broken psyche of a father-son relationship. Blending clowning, mime, poetic stage imagery and haunting sound design, the piece invites audiences into a surreal world where innocence and despair dance on a tightrope.
Inspired by Kafka’s absurdism and Septembir’s ongoing fascination with emotional repression, Dolliwarie explores guilt, the absurdity of control, and the liberating power of the inner clown. A paper bird, a flipped prison world, and a man in freefall—these are just some of the motifs that shape this bold theatrical ritual.
Following its 2022 debut at the Vrystaat Kunstefees, Dolliwarie returns in an expanded form, developed further during a Theatre Arts residency in Cape Town (May 2025).
Featuring original music and sound by Jacques du Plessis and Gertjie Besselsen, set and costume design by Isabelle Grobler, and lighting by Sjaka S. Septembir, this production is a sensory dive into the poetic, the painful, and the absurdly beautiful.
Dolliwarie is not just theatre—it’s an encounter with the untamed, the tender, and the truth beneath the surface.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Sjaka S. Septembir is a poet, playwright, clown and performer with over three decades of experience in the South African theatre and literary scene. His work blends physical theatre, breathwork, absurdist humour and philosophical inquiry. He holds a MA from UCT and is currently completing a PhD in Literary Studies.
Carlo Daniels is a multi-award winning Cape Town-based actor and director known for his nuanced performances and community engagement. His background in physical theatre and storytelling make him an ideal collaborator in developing the next evolution of Dolliwarie.
Aldo Brincat is an acclaimed performer, writer and director who has worked across borders and disciplines, bringing his own deep understanding of physical storytelling and visual theatre to the original direction of the piece.
Jacques du Plessis and Gertjie Besselsen are both well-known musicians and composers in South Africa, recognised for their genre-blending creativity. Their contribution to Dolliwarie brings a haunting, playful, and emotionally resonant soundscape to the work.
✳ Pics of Sjaka S. Septembir, supplied.
