Picture of William Berger: Mark Dobson
Cape Town Opera (CTO) brings Rossini’s beloved comic masterpiece The Barber of Seville to Theatre on the Bay from 5 to 17 August 2025 in a vibrant new production directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Sylvaine Strike (The Tempest, Spring Awakening, The Promise).
Renowned for her inventive, physically expressive storytelling, Strike draws on her deep background in theatre and commedia dell’arte to deliver a production rich in charm, movement, and vivid characterisation. Her direction heightens the comedy through expressive gesture and physical humour, allowing Rossini’s sparkling score and vocal fireworks to shine atop a visually dynamic, character-driven foundation. The Barber of Seville also marks Sylvaine’s first opera.
Leading the multi-award-winning cast is William Berger (Bluebeard’s Castle, The Sound of Music), who stars as the irrepressible Figaro, with Thando Zwane sharing the lead role. Following his debut as Count Almaviva with the English National Opera at the London Coliseum in 2024, Innocent Masuku will reprise his role in the upcoming CTO production and will share the part with Dumisa Masoka. A former CTO Judith Neilson Young Artist, Masuku made international headlines last year when he placed fourth in Britain’s Got Talent. As the crafty and captivating Rosina, adding comedic flair and vocal brilliance to this fast-paced tale of love, disguise, and witty rebellion will be Vienna-based guest artist Megan Kahts and CTO House Soloist Brittany Smith.
Other artists include Lonwabo Mose and Conroy Scott as Bartolo; Monde Masimini as Don Basilio; Garth Delport as Fiorello, Luvo Rasemeni as Ambrogio, Lusibalwethu Sesanti as Berta, and a male voice ensemble from the Cape Town Opera Chorus.
Composed in 1816, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville remains one of the most enduring and beloved works of Italian opera buffa. Bursting with verve and brilliance, the opera demands exceptional vocal agility and expressive flair, delivering witty recitatives and unforgettable melodies that continue to delight audiences worldwide.
The production is musically directed and accompanied on piano by CTO Head Vocal Coach Jan Hugo, with a focus on bringing the rapid-fire Italian recitatives to life and showcasing the expressive range and vocal virtuosity of bel canto singing to charm Cape Town audiences.
Staged at the intimate Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay, the production channels the spirit of 18th-century Italian opera houses. The venue’s smaller scale becomes a creative advantage — what Strike calls "grand opera in bonsai form" — giving audiences an up-close and emotionally resonant experience. "If you’ve never watched opera, you should try this production," says Strike. "It’s delightfully funny, filled with physical humour, love, intrigue and plot twists."
With elegant, period-inflected costumes by Allegra Bernacchioni, lighting by Josh Lindbergh and a visual aesthetic inspired by classics like Les Enfants du Paradis and Bridgerton, this Barber of Seville promises to enchant romantics, comedy-lovers, and opera newcomers alike. It’s opera with heart, humour, and a healthy dose of theatrical mischief.
The Barber of Seville runs at Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town, from 5 to 17 August. Bookings are via Webtickets or the Theatre on the Bay box office on 021 438 3300.
Also read:
The Barber of Seville by Theatre on the Bay: ’n onderhoud met William Berger