What: My Name Is Lucy Barton
Where: Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees
When: October 11 to 13, 2025 (three shows)
Starring: Julie-Anne McDowell
Director: Charmaine Weir-Smith
Design: Kieran McGregor  
Tickets: R200-R250 or R230-R280 at the door
Bookings: Quicket
Age restriction: no under 13s  

I loved My Name Is Lucy Barton, performed in 2024 at the Baxter in Cape Town by Julie-Anne McDowell. The production received a Naledi Theatre Award nomination for Best Solo Performance. Theatre goers have an opportunity to see this special piece of theatre, at the 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees (three shows from October 11 to 13).   Read TheCapeRobyn review here: https://thecaperobyn.co.za/review-julie-anne-mcdowell-glows-as-a-feisty-spunky-and-brave-my-name-is-lucy-barton/ and read on for more about the Woordfees season:

How Now Brown Cow presents the return of multiple award-winning My Name Is Lucy Barton for three shows only

Following its acclaimed South African premiere last year, How Now Brown Cow is proud to present the multiple award-winning My Name Is Lucy Barton.


Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout and adapted by Rona Munro, My Name Is Lucy Barton explores the most tender relationship of all – the one between a mother and daughter.

The South African premiere production starring Julie-Anne McDowell (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Revlon Girl), directed by multiple-award winning Charmaine Weir-Smith (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Train Driver) enjoyed a successful national tour in 2024, receiving a Naledi Theatre Award nomination for Best Solo Performance. Design for the show is by Kieran McGregor (Expelled).

My Name Is Lucy Barton will be performed at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees for three shows only from October 11 to 13.  

The novel was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016 and was also a number one New York Times-bestseller. The stage production of My Name Is Lucy Barton opened at The Bridge Theatre in London in 2018.  

“My Name is Lucy Barton is a story for anyone who has questioned how family defines one. It is a powerful narrative of hope and triumph about a woman who finds her truth and reclaims her story. We are proud to be bringing this special play to audiences at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees,’ says actress Julie-Anne McDowell.

Press comments about the South African production include:

Julie-Anne McDowell is trefseker in haar vertolking van ma en dogter….My Name is Lucy Barton is teater wat empatie ontlok, wat die kyker pantser en jou in ander se skoene laat loop.’ Laetitia Pople, Netwerk 24 / Die Burger

McDowell delivers a consummate performing, Kudos to Charmaine Weir-Smith’s direction in keeping the pace revved up at a clip… compelling theatre… My Name is Lucy Barton, the play, South Africa 2024, is a very special piece of theatre.’ Robyn Cohen, The Cape Robyn

As How Now Brown Cow presents us with their new piece of theatre, we are reminded of their commitment to excellence in everything that they do. The SA premier of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, starring Julie-Anne McDowell, is such a piece…..the frail bond of the two main characters as McDowell moves effortlessly between mother and daughter.  McDowell had the audience spellboundFaeron Wheeler, Broadway World

In many ways, the story of Lucy Barton is reflected in all of our lives…… Julie-Anne McDowell was amazing to watch… What I really loved about this show was that it was about a woman finding her way in the worldJozi Nupen, Sam Says

It’s a beautifully moving story, one that’ll have you captivated from beginning to end. Julie-Anne McDowell delivers a brilliant performance and this really just is a must-see.’ Karisa Nicholls, Cape Town My Love

‘‘Charmaine Weir-Smith keeps the pace flowing steadily as Julie-Anne McDowell inhabits the stage with confidence and grace.’Karen Rutter, Weekend Special

McDowell, with sensitive direction by Charmaine Weir-Smith…walks an impressively fine line between pathos and comedy’ Nigel Vermaas, Bush Radio

My Name is Lucy Barton will be performed at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees on:

October 11 at 10h00

October 12 at 20h00

October 13 at 13h00

Tickets cost R200-R250 or R230-R280 at the door.

Bookings can be made at Quicket

Age Restriction – no U13s

Follow all the news on the How Now Brown Cow Social Media pages here:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hownowbrowncow_productions/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hownowbrowncowproductions/    

My Name is Lucy Barton is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.  www.concordtheatricals.com

My Name is Lucy Barton was originally produced on Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, The London Theatre Company, Nicholas Hytner, Nick Starr, in association with Penguin Random House Audio on January 15, 2020.


My Name is Lucy Barton was originally produced by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr for the London Theatre Company at the Bridge Theatre in June 2018.

Julie-Anne McDowell in My Name is Lucy Barton, which will be staged at the 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Pic: Daniel Rutland Manners. Pic supplied.

✳ Julie-Anne McDowell in My Name is Lucy Barton, which will be staged at the 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Pic: Daniel Rutland Manners. Pics supplied. Sponsored content.