Title: this bra’s a pyscho
Writer/director: Zubayr Charles
Performers: James Stoffberg; Anzio September
Where: Artscape Arena Theatre
Location: Location on Google Maps
When: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 – Saturday, 2 August 2025 (6 Performances)
Age restriction: No U/16. Language and violence
Duration: 70 minutes (no interval)
Tickets: R150
Bookings: Webtickets
Direct booking link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1571252182
Artscape Theatre, in conjunction with the Suidoosterfees and the City of Cape Town, presents this bra’s a psycho – a psychological crime thriller and cat-and-mouse tale tackling the themes of male sexual assault, hook-up culture, and online dating. The production runs from Tuesday, 29 July 2025 to Saturday, 2 August 2025.
Fresh off the success of Please, don’t call me moffie, this gripping two-hander, written and directed by Zubayr Charles, a UCT Master’s in Creative Writing graduate, makes its debut at this year’s Women’s Humanity Festival – following its resounding pitch and staged reading at the 2024 Artscape New Voices Programme.
The narrative follows THE BRA, who, after waking up in an unknown warehouse, must face the brutal aftermath of sexual assault. In his search for love and healing through dating apps, things take a dark turn – ending him becoming a serial killer and partaking in a chilling killing spree. But someone is watching… and justice is coming.
Cape Town-based actors James Stoffberg and Anzio September, both UCT Theatre and Performance graduates, bring this intense thriller to life. Stoffberg portrays the unravelling psyche of a serial killer, whilst September seamlessly flows and embodies both the policeman investigating the murders and THE BRA’s various victims – amplifying the two-hander’s cat-and-mouse dynamic.
“Initially, I wanted to tackle the classic rape-revenge genre by giving it a unique Capetonian, male, and queer twist,” reveals Charles. “Despite it being a thriller, the show explores universal themes and moments that many people will find relatable. Last year, I was hesitant about the subject matter, worried it might be deemed too risqué, especially with the serial killer aspect and the commentary and depiction of queer hook-up culture. But I realised that the crime thriller genre is hugely popular on various streaming platforms — so why shouldn’t we invest in telling our own local stories? South Africa has so much talent, and it’s time to showcase it. I hope we will get to see more local crime and thriller narratives on our stages and tv screens.”
About the writer and director
Zubayr Charles is a multi-disciplinary writer and UCT Masters in Creative Writing cum laude graduate from Cape Town, South Africa. As an emerging playwright and director, his works—Mercy; Please, don’t call me moffie; The Battered Housewives’ Club; and this bra’s a psycho—have been showcased at various theatres and festivals in Cape Town. His essays are published on LitNet and Cape Creative Collective. His poetry collection titled the sad boy’s starter pack will be released later this year and his first novel Haram is set to be published early next year – both dealing with the theme of queer identity.
Theatre Trio pictured left to right: Anzio September, Zubayr Charles, James Stoffberg
About the cast
James Stoffberg is an up-and-coming performer based in Cape Town. He graduated from UCT with a BA degree in Theatre and Performance. James’ most notable performances include Baked Shakespeare’s rendition of Twelfth Night and As You Like It, the lead in the tragicomedy Not Falling showcased at Theatre Arts, and the popular children’s theatre piece How To Hold The World – all productions had been performing across Cape Town. James has also worked on various film and television works including advertisements, series, films, and corporate films, such as Wilting of The Blood Orchid and Showmax’s popular Catch Me A Killer.
Anzio September is a Cape Town-based actor and performer, and a graduate of UCT’s Theatre and Performance programme. His stage credits include leading roles in Zubayr Charles’ Please, Don’t Call Me Moffie and Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer’s Aladdin; as well as ensemble roles in Aunty Merle: The Musical, Aunty Merle, It’s a Girl, and Aunty Merle, Things Get Real! by Marc Lottering; the musicals Danger in the Dark and Rent!; and as a main cast member in the children’s theatre production Pampoenpit se Groen Gevoel. Anzio has been nominated for both the Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Awards for his work on stage. His screen appearances include roles in Arendsvlei, Fatal Desire, and American Monster.
Performance Dates:
- Tuesday, 29 July 2025 – 7pm
- Wednesday, 30 July 2025 – 7pm
- Thursday, 31 July 2025 – 7pm
- Friday, 1 August 2025 – 7pm
- Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 3pm
- Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 7pm
Venue:
- Artscape Arena Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets:
- R150
- Book now via Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1571252182
Don’t miss this gripping and thought-provoking theatrical experience that brings voice and visibility to male sexual assault and queer narratives in South Africa.