Zabalaza winners bring two new plays to Baxter Studio

Two productions honoured with Finest of the Fest awards at the 2026 Zabalaza Theatre Festival are set to run at the Baxter Studio in Cape Town this September and October.

Until I Arrive will show from 29 September to 3 October, followed by Kinnes van Somers from 6 to 10 October, with both staged at 20:00 Monday to Saturday and Saturday matinees at 14:00.

Until I Arrive is a one-woman physical theatre piece written, directed and performed by Lindokuhle Melaphi, who also won the festival's Best Script award.

It follows a female soldier's search for belonging, performed mainly in English with some isiXhosa, and carries an age restriction of 13.

Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni – known for* Rise '76, Delela* and Neighbourhood – mentors the production, with director Sylvaine Strike serving as creative supervisor for both plays.

Kinnes van Somers, directed by Tamsyn Alexander and Hanro Cloete, reworks a traditional Afrikaans cautionary folk tale, exploring identity, fear, inheritance and transformation through a story in which myths, lullabies and curses converge within a small community.

The cast – Caitlyn Haywood, Irmah Jeleza Tiemie, Katelynne Matthews, Tameka Petersen and Tamsyn Alexander – collectively portray Antjie and the tale's other characters.

Performed in Afrikaans and English, it carries an age restriction of 14, with parental guidance advised.

The season is supported by the City of Cape Town, the Makwande Empowerment Trust, the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, the HCI Foundation, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and Nati.

Bookings are available through Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores.