Stage: Paul Slabolepszy’s acclaimed play, Bitter Winter travels to Cape Town

There is a huge buzz around the staging in Cape Town in the Baxter Studio of Bitter Winter, the highly acclaimed play by Paul Slabolepszy. This new play received rapturous reviews when it premiered in Johannesburg in February and March, this year. Many of us felt FOMO when it was on in Jozi and now it is our turn. The production, directed by Lesedi Job and starring André Odendaal, Oarabile Ditsele and Chantal Stanfield is on in the Baxter Studio, May 21 to June 14, 2025. “This production pays homage to the resilience, dedication, and passion of South African artists who continue to inspire and entertain.” Read on for more and may we give a shout-out to dynamo producer Weslee Lauder, who is presenting Bitter Winter with the Baxter. Lauder has made this production happen and we thank him for bringing the play to Cape Town:

Paul Slabolepszy’s Bitter Winter travels to Cape Town: A new play paying poignant tribute to South African Theatre

Cape Town audiences are in for a treat!

Weslee Lauder and The Baxter are thrilled to announce the new play by the legendary playwright Paul Slabolepszy, Bitter Winter, will soon be travelling to Cape Town and will be on stage at The Golden Arrow Studio at The Baxter for a short season from May 21 to June 14, 2025.

Bitter Winter made its dazzling debut in Johannesburg in February and March, receiving rave reviews from audience and critics alike, highlighting how this fresh and thought-provoking new South African play resonated far and wide with all who watched it.

“…it captures the magnetism of live theatre, how it cherishes the soul, captures our imagination and makes you think.” – Diane De Beer

“Bitter Winter is a diamond from our South African soil” – Amanda Strydom

“…unequivocally, it is the play of the year….” – Robyn Sassen

“…Masterful…” – Ryan Enslin, Sunday Times

“This production is raw, real and deeply South African” – Teresa Coetzee

“This is theatre at its finest. Profound, moving and urgent. Go!” – Bruce Little

“Beautifully and hilariously told by masters of the game” – Sibongile Mngoma

“…This is a red-letter moment…” – Jonathan Roxmouth

Paul Slabolepszy, a recent recipient of a Naledi Lifetime Achievement Theatre Award for his work in Theatre, is one of South Africa’s most revered playwrights, known for his character-driven stories that speak to the human condition, with a body of work that resonates both locally and internationally.

The production boasts a stellar cast, with André Odendaal as Jean-Louis Lourens. Odendaal, who won a Naledi Award for Best Actor for his role in DOP, is also well-known for his TV roles in Binnelanders, Getroud Met Rugby, and Dwaalster.

Oarabile Ditsele, fresh from a sold-out run of Rapela and Kill Move Paradise, as well as the acclaimed production of Woza Albert at the Baxter Theatre, takes on the role of Prosper Mangane.

Chantal Stanfield, best known for her work in 7de Laan, Getroud Met Rugby, and her one-woman show From Koe’siestes to Kneidlach, recently starred as The Widow in the sold-out musical Mamma Mia!, and now plays casting director Felicia Willemse.

Directed by award-winning director Lesedi Job, whose notable credits include When Swallows Cry, Brutal Legacy and Kill Move Paradise, amongst others and produced by Weslee Lauder, this production promises to deliver a powerful and moving theatrical experience.

A Story of Resilience and Self-Discovery

The Sheriff in the American Western film Six Guns at Sesriem is not the role a classically-trained actor in his mid-70s would typically aspire to—yet for Jean-Louis Lourens (Andre Odendaal), this casting could be his lifeline. As Jean-Louis waits at a high-stakes audition for the arrival of the American movie director, he encounters Prosper Mangane (Oarabile Ditsele), an up-and-coming television and film star. Prosper’s youthful energy and adventurous spirit offer Jean-Louis a new perspective on their shared profession—a career both rewarding and unforgiving.

With slick and efficient casting director, Felicia Willemse (Chantal Stanfield), keeping the actors updated on the impending arrival of the hot-shot director, Jean-Louis and Prosper are left alone to reflect on their journeys in the cold, barren audition room. Their dialogue takes audiences through the struggles and triumphs of actors who remain deeply committed to their craft despite the challenges they face.

Director Lesedi Jobs exclaims; “Bitter Winter is a play that deals with the shared human experience of our struggle for relevance and identity in a world that can often prioritise one identity over another. Through this heart-warming tribute to the resilience of artists, we are reminded that every stage of life holds value and that every soul deserves dignity.”

A Heart-Warming Tribute to South African Talent

Bitter Winter offers a heartfelt exploration of the artist’s life. It celebrates the legends of South African theatre while shining a light on the new generation of rising stars making their mark on the global stage. This tender tale takes audiences along the winding, sometimes rocky road that many artists feel compelled to travel in pursuit of their dreams.

Playwright Paul Slabolepszy adds; ‘Bitter Winter’ is my ‘love song’ to the theatre. My ‘second home’ is a place where captivating stories of the human experience are shared with audiences hungry for connection.

In this brand new play, two actors, one at the end of a career spent mainly on the ‘classical stage, and another starting out on his journey, the magic and the madness of this ‘make-believe’ world is on full display.

Whether one is acquainted with the entertainment industry or not, this tender, heartfelt production is for everyone!”

Bitter Winter will be on stage at The Golden Arrow Studio at The Baxter from May 21to– June 14^, 2025.

Performances are Tuesdays – Fridays at 20h00 and Saturdays at 15h00 and 20h00.

Tickets range from R180 – R220 and bookings are via Webticketsand selected Pick ‘n Pay stores.

Discounts for Senior Citizens and Students apply.

The show is 80 minutes in duration with no interval and has a suggested Age Restriction of PG10.

Patrons are advised that the language mix in the show will be approx. 70% English, 20% Afrikaans and 10% Sotho

Bitter Winter is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power of storytelling and the magic of live theatre. This production pays homage to the resilience, dedication, and passion of South African artists who continue to inspire and entertain.

Producer Weslee Lauder concludes; “It was so heartwarming to see the response to this fresh South African play in Johannesburg – whether you’re in the entertainment industry or not, there is so much that each and every person watching can identify with and relate to. I am so excited that we have this opportunity to present this important piece of theatre to Cape Town audiences.”

He continues; “Inspired by a talk by Lizz Meiring on the Theatre Benevolent Fund and its role in supporting local theatre makers through hard times, this production is especially meaningful. A portion of each ticket sale will go to support this important Fund.”

SHOW CREDITS

Producer:                                 Weslee Lauder
Director:                                   Lesedi Job
Writer:                                      Paul Slabolepszy
Lighting Designer:                    Oliver Hauser
Sound Designer:                       Sne Dladla
Set & Costume Designer:          Frankie van Straten
Stage Manager:                               Yvette Hanekom
Publicist:                                  Collett Dawson

Bitter Winter couldn’t have been staged in Cape Town without the support of Santam, The Baxter, Lift Airline, Netgen, Arora Online, The CoLab Network, Fingers Crossed Coffee, HD Creative Network and The Theatre Benevolent Fund.

✳ Chantal Stanfield, André Odendaal and Oarabile Ditsele are performing in Bitter Winter, the new South African play by Paul Slabolepszy, May  21 to June 14, 2025 in the Golden Arrow Studio, Baxter, Cape Town. Direction is by Lesedi Job. Image: Supplied. Sponsored content.