How Now Brown Cow Productions is bringing the Broadway and West End smash hit, “My Name Is Lucy Barton” to South Africa.
The play, based on Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout's best-selling short novel of the same name, has captivated audiences worldwide its debut in 2016.
The story follows Lucy Barton, a writer recovering from an operation. When she awakens, she is surprised to find her estranged mother sitting at the foot of her bed.
This unexpected visit forces Lucy to confront her painful rural childhood and the journey that took her to New York City. As she navigates her healing and her budding career as a writer, Lucy grapples with the complexities of family ties and past traumas.
The role of Lucy Barton will be portrayed by the talented Julie-Anne McDowell, a multiple award nominee who is renowned for her compelling performances. The production is directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith, who has also received numerous awards for her theatre work.
“This is a love story, it’s a story about imperfect love and how we as imperfect people love imperfectly,” McDowell explained in a statement. “Lucy is a very honest person and she’s trying to tell her story as truthfully as possible.”
“She had a difficult childhood, difficult relationships with her parents and her siblings. She also tells us her relationship with her husband and with her kids. Ultimately, I think this is a story of self-love,” she added.
This production is ideal for fans of drama, literary adaptations and those interested in personal storytelling.
Where: The Baxter Studio at the Baxter Theatre Centre.
When: Runs until October 5.
Cost: Tickets range from R200 to R250 and can be purchased through Webtickets.
Julie Andrews – Uncut
This production takes theatregoers on an exciting journey through the life of Dame Julie Andrews, one of Hollywood's last icons from its golden age. From her early days in Vaudeville, a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France at the end of the 19th-century, to her unforgettable performances on Broadway and her legendary decades in showbiz, this show celebrates her incredible career.
It stars Alison Hillstead in the lead role alongside Nathan Johannisen as musical director and pianist. The show, which was written and directed by Amanda Bothma, offers a wonderful mix of storytelling and music that showcases Andrews' extraordinary life and lasting legacy.
As composed, polite and confident, Andrews is often seen as the perfect English lady. But her journey to fame was not easy. She grew up in a working-class family and learned her craft in the tough world of vaudeville.
Performing with her parents, Pops and Barbara Andrews, she amazed audiences with her singing and dancing, performing two shows a day, six days a week. This hard work prepared her for her future success.
Even though she faced many challenges in her childhood, including family struggles, Andrews' talent stood out. Her big break came on Broadway, where she shined in shows like “The Boy Friend” and “My Fair Lady”.
But it was her role as “Mary Poppins” in the classic 1964 film that made her a star, earning her an Academy Award and making her famous around the world.
During the early 2000s, she also starred in “The Princess Diaries” movie series alongside Anne Hathaway.
“Julie Andrews – Uncut” is a heartfelt tribute to this self-made woman. The production includes many of the popular songs that Andrews is known for, such as "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "The Sound of Music.
Where: The Drama Factory.
When: Friday, September 27, at 7.30pm, Saturday September 28, at 4pm, and Sunday September 29, at 4pm.
Cost: Tickets range between R170 to R180 and can be purchased from The Drama Factory’s website.
The Camissa Heritage Tour
This production retraces South Africa’s colonial history and its connection to the Netherlands. It shares the story of the Indigenous San and Khoi communities who inhabited the region for thousands of years and resisted working for the Dutch East India Company.
This show, adapted for the stage, takes the audience through The Castle of Good Hope and other significant historical sites. It also raises awareness about the narratives of South Africa’s Indigenous people, the history of slavery in the Cape and Dutch colonisation.
Directed by Luke De Kock, the tour is supported by #CoCreateSANL and the Artscape Theatre Centre as it aims to change perspectives on history through performances.
Where: The Artscape Theatre Centre.
When: From Thursday, September 26, to Saturday, September 28.
Cost: Tickets cost R150 and be purchased through Webtickets.