Litnet

In a South Africa where citizens are permitted only 140 spoken words per day, two young lovers must learn to live with silence – and to fight with words.

Canticum Novum presents the South African premiere of Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest.

The 10th Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium will bring top international artists to South Africa in 2026, with an exciting lineup of five evening concerts between 25 and 29 March.

"To get into this role as a dancer, I really have to take my head and body into the world of Dracula and make myself believe in him. This is why the rehearsal process is so crucial, as it takes a couple of weeks to find that depth. I merge with the character slowly but surely, and at times I catch myself feeling a slight emotional imbalance, because I’m diving so deep and adding layers to the character, as we build up to opening night on 13 March."

The Iphulo drama festival productions start on 23 February and will run until 27 February, offering three days of wonderful theatrical performances.

The signs is a dynamic, Broadway-style musical written and directed by Midlands creative Audrey Mbuyazi. This original production offers a fresh and unexpected retelling of a well-known story – from a provocative new perspective.

The Endler Concert Series opens its first season of 2026 with an ambitious February to March programme in Stellenbosch that combines international star power with some of South Africa’s most compelling performers and ensembles.

"Hier is ’n Nuwejaarsgeskenk aan alle LitNet-lesers. Klik hier om vier gratis toneelstukke af te laai en te lees. Die tekste van hierdie vier eenmanvertonings ('one man shows') sal jou aan vroeëre tye herinner, jou laat wonder en jou hoop gee. Ons is hier, ten spyte van alles!"

Following a record-breaking run in Johannesburg, The Nutcracker comes to Cape Town in February 2026 for seven performances only.

"In the end, I hoped to create a show that honours Andersen’s emotional truth while offering a version of the story that feels honest, contemporary and welcoming to a 2025 South African audience."

For November’s play reading, we’re delving into Love in the time of Labarang Hajj by Tasneem Daniels.  The evening will include a table read of the play by actors, followed by a discussion of the work. The discussion will be led by Melanie O’Connor Horn and a panel of experts. Input from the audience is most welcome! 

"What would Nick Cave do?" Conrad Jamneck, beloved festival director and sound engineer, delves into his lifelong relationship with Nick Cave’s music and writing. A Nick Cave affair – produced by Jamneck and featuring James Smith, Jake Gunn, Anjulie Nock and a special appearance by Andra – will be performed at the PJ Olivier Art Centre in Stellenbosch on 21 November 2025.

"The world of Cats is truly immersive, and the illusion of talented humans portraying these delightful feline characters will hopefully be more than enough to hold the audiences’ attention for a few hours of theatrical magic."

"What an interesting and peaceful place. There is a strange quiet about this city that caught me off guard. It almost feels as if one is walking in an old movie set in a studio mimicking a city."

"The rural Western Cape town of Porterville came alive on 23 and 24 September with the second iteration of the Purple Mountain Heritage Day Festival, a free, 36-hour celebration of heritage through art, poetry, storytelling, traditional food, music, photography and astronomy."

"As associations representing writers who contribute to and are dependent on the arts and culture eco-system that these festivals serve, we see the arbitrary and sudden withdrawal of government support as damaging and ill advised."

"The moment it starts feeling like a lecture, you’ve lost the audience. The key is to create compelling characters who want something and who drive the story forward. If the drama is truthful and the characters are engaging, the history or the message comes through naturally."

"It is always evident when directors have properly supported their cast in realising and portraying fully formed characters. This production is one in which it shows."

After a triumphant national tour, SboNdaba Dance returns to the Western Cape with its acclaimed production In search of our humanity. This homecoming performance at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees offers local audiences a rare chance to experience the company’s powerful artistry and storytelling. Praised for its striking choreography and evocative soundscapes, the production showcases the raw physicality of SboNdaba’s dancers.

For those drawn to storytelling through song, this promises an evocative, enriching night of lyrical exploration with some wonderful poetic voices. Listen to a recording of Brett Bailey, elaborating on the fascinating performances coming up at Spier.