Upcoming Events & Performances
We want you to join us this season and guarantee you will have the time of your life at our upcoming shows. Take a glance at our schedule, and be sure to get your tickets soon.
Die carb is weer Hollands
WOORDFEES
28 September 09:00
Upstage Lounge
For many women finding a path through the many challenges of weight management can be overwhelming. Diets, hormones, and eating plans proliferate and often leave everyone more confused than ever. Join Melissa Kelly, the creator of the Scoop to Lose eating plan, and find out how to tap into your unique superpower and get answers to your eating plan questions. Bring your mom, your daughter, your friend and get practical and inspirational help on weight management at any age. Melissa is the founder of Edge Dietary Consulting. The ticket price includes your “tool box” consisting of a scoop, a tape measure that can calculate BMI, and your guide for creating your own unique eating plan.
Afrisnaaks
WOORDFEES
28 September 17:00
Drostdy Theatre
AfriSnaaks is a roller coaster ride through the unique humour, playful nuances, colloquial language and absurdities of Afrikaans. Expect razor-sharp comedy and absurd satire, fresh from the Cape Flats.
With Wayne Mckay
Producer and director
Jeremeo Le Cordeur
Writer and translation
Wayne Mckay
Hoe mooi val die lig
WOORDFEES
29 September 16:30
1 October 16:30
Drostdy Theatre
It was possibly the most unlikely love affair of all time. She was the most notorious woman of her time, the daring, cigarette-smoking French novelist Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin who wrote under the pseudonym George Sand. He was the sensitive and tormented but brilliant pianist Frédéric Chopin. This small masterpiece portrays their tempestuous relationship through their own words and music – two artists who passionately loved and tormented each other, but also created sublime works of art.
With José Dias (piano), Liza-Marie Loubser
Director Niël Rademan
Writer Riana Scheepers
Music Frédéric Chopin
Design Lindi Heila Smit
Made possible by Hessequa Harmonie through the Atterbury Trust
Eendagsvlieg en ander vlietende gedagtes
WOORDFEES
1 -3 October 10:00
Drostdy Theatre
Rosa Keet, daughter of the legendary poet A.D. Keet, writes poems that explore themes of love, loss and nature that also reflect her unique and sharp sense of humour. Eendagsvlieg en ander vlietende gedagtes contains her most popular poems, as well as some of her latest work. Join Anna-Mart van der Merwe and Henriëtta Gryffenberg as they wade through cosmic complexity and bring Keet’s poems to life against visual projections of form, colour and abstract compositions designed by the award-winning artist Michèle Nigrini.
With Henriëtta Gryffenberg, Anna-Mart van der Merwe
Producer and editor Henriëtta Gryffenberg
Writer Rosa Keet
Visual artist Michèle Nigrini
Koppieteefontein
WOORDFEES
2 October 12:30
3 October 12:30 | 15:00
4 October 12:30
Upstage Lounge
With Jak de Priester & Antoinette Pienaar
Two extraordinary artists share the stories of their lives through music, poetry and conversation. Known for her outstanding knowledge and love of herbs, Karoo-dweller Antoinette carries you away with her unique philosophy of life and beautiful voice. Jak, at the piano, entrances with his songs about love, life and the Karoo. This is a stage version of the popular kykNET musical chat show KoppieTeeFontein.
Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay
WOORDFEES
2 October 20:30
Drostdy Theatre
In this cabaret, also known as Ek het al so baie my *** gesien, ek is bang vir *****, Elzabé Zietsman celebrates her and our resilience as South Africans. When we fall, we get up. When the carpet is swept out from under our feet, we tumble head-over-heels and land on our feet. When the world changes, we adapt. And when the world around us is completely falling apart, Mama drinks four Panados and a glass of chardonnay while Dad lights the fire. Tomorrow we start again.
With Elzabé Zietsman, Tony Bentel
Producer Drama Drama
Musical director Tony Bentel
Director and writer Johann Slabbert
-loos
WOORDFEES
5 October 17:00
Drostdy Theatre
Losing something precious makes one feel defenceless. Yet the number of great creations that flow from loss is endless. Works that address the emptiness (without-ness) but also the beauty of what was once there. The text is compiled from work by poets such as Antjie Krog, Olga Kirsch, Marlene van Niekerk and Breyten Breytenbach. Verse and music are presented as a continuous stream that allows the audience to experience a range of feelings and fears but also liberating ideas.
With Joanie Combrink, Laurinda Hofmeyr (voice & piano)
A Momentum Beleggings Aardklop and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees co-production.
Director and compiler Libby Daniels
Music Laurinda Hofmeyr
Stage manager & production manager Anna Davel
Sin And Salvation
The Story Of Johnny Cash
25 October - 20:15
Drostdy Teater
SIN AND SALVATION – The Story of Johnny Cash delves into the character of one of the most charismatic and controversial artists in American music.
Written by Director Nigel Vermaas and Jonny Blundell (guitar) and featuring Jamie Jupiter, Sarah McArthur, and Daniel Franks.
Don't miss this highly entertaining piece of immersive musical theatre where the music and the story are inextricably linked!
No under 8’s
Skatkis vol stories
WOORDFEES
28 September 11:00
Drostdy Theatre
Danneline, The Namakwa Daisy, celebrates a decade in the entertainment industry and her golden jubilee with a Xhoulag storytelling production brimming with twists, turns and seeds – seeds from the dusty streets of Kommagas that burst and blossom in the Cape. Join Danneline as she talks to Miché van Wyk about growing up in Namaqualand and shares her treasure chest of stories and anecdotes that will leave you laughing, sighing, and completely in love with Namaqualand.
With Danneline Ramsden, Miché van Wyk
Director and technical
Jeremeo le Cordeur
Writer Danneline Ramsden
Translation Danneline Ramsden,
Miché van Wyk
Merry Krismis, Elvis
WOORDFEES
28 September 20:00
30 September 16:30
5 October 20:00
Drostdy Theatre
With Andre Schwartz
When Jaco’s sin is of such a nature that he feels too guilty to talk to God, he finds his soulmate and sounding board in Elvis, who has been his refuge since childhood. As he progresses, he discovers more and more that there are many points of contact between his life and that of Elvis. Elvis was there for the most painful thing that ever happened to Jaco, although he didn’t do anything, just watched and sang. Does fame bring forgiveness? Is there really an afterlife? The text of Merry Krismis, Elvis Is framed by Elvis’ most famous songs, and also some of André’s compositions.
Writer André Schwartz, Robert Kruger
Director Saartjie Botha
Musical director Antoni Schonken
Kaapse kabaret
WOORDFEES
29 September 19:00
Drostdy Theatre
The artistry of Leslie Kleinsmith, an established and beloved cabaret and jazz artist from District Six in Cape Town, was influenced by masters such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. His repertoire includes popular music, R&B, swing and big band. This production was nominated for a Kanna at the 2024 KKNK. Alexander and Kleinsmith won a Woordfees Award in 2023 for their music production Effervescence: Xamisa, iKapa, Cape Town.
With Leslie Kleinsmith (voice), Ramon Alexander (piano), Annemie Nel (percussion),Dylan Tabisher (double bass)
Musical director Ramon Alexander
Verlangebos
WOORDFEES
1 -3 October 13:00
Drostdy Theatre
Come and marvel at the exquisiteness of Afrikaans words and music. Gems such as “My Sarie Marais” get a jazz makeover and old folk songs take on new meanings as these brilliant artists weave their magic through songs, poems and texts from the FAK and Lieder treasure chest. Young and old will be enchanted by this production which depicts the cycle of life and the beauty of living.
With Nic de Jager, Rina Goldberg (klavier), Schalk Joubert (baskitaar), Schalk Wasserman (perkussie), Sunday Kelechi (tjello), Wilco van Wyk (voice)
Producer Marzé Botha
Director Ira Blanckenberg
Writers Rina Goldberg, Marzé Botha
Musical Director Rina Goldberg
Amanda Strydom
WOORDFEES
2 October 13:00
3 October 20:00
5 October 13:00
Upstage Lounge
The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder
The child’s name was Isabella Dolorosa van Tonder, but her Granny called her Tinkerbell. Amanda Strydom as Nella Petersen tells a story of hope, great adventures, self-discovery, and homecoming, interwoven with music arranged and accompanied by her permanent pianist, Coenraad Rall. “Life is a journey, who are we to question the transport?”
Musical director Coenraad Rall
Text Amanda Strydom with contributions by Frazer Barry, Ismail Mohammed, Jaques Avril du Toit
8 Misses Croon Sing
WOORDFEES
4 October 13:00
Drostdy Theatre
Our voices carry our stories… From years past, through today’s hours and into the times to come. This women’s a cappella group uses their unique voices to weave sounds, words and music through different genres as, without embellishment, they tell our stories.
With Lianie Archer, Bettie Breytenbach, Karlé Briedenhann, Madri Gerber, Elizca Mulder, Xtine Stepčič, Alana van den Berg, Elizbè van der Colff, Anrich Herbst (storyteller)
Shades of Africa
Date TBC
Drostdy Teater
Feel Africa's fertile soil beneath your feet and the vast blue sky above you as shades of Africa takes you take an enchanting musical odyssey through Africa's ancient myths and mysteries.
Listen to songs that were written for the rain by a wise old woman; hear stories that were told to a little boy as he sat next to a river being taught by an earth mother about animal spirits that only dreamers could see; discover the legends of the spirits that dwell in all living things, and learn why the greatest of all the spirits chose to live in the smallest creature.
Stem en Snaar
Johan Liebenberg & Mauritz Lotz
10 November - 15:00
Drostdy Teater
“Stem En Snaar” is ‘n nuwe vertoning aangebied deur Johan Liebenberg, bekend vir sy puik vertolking van die legende Neil Diamond se tydlose liedjies, en die kitaar virtuoos, Mauritz Lotz wat bekendheid verwerf het vir sy ongelooflike kitaarspel.
Hierdie vertoning is vol musikale sterk punte met Johan se gunsteling liedjies van ander kunstenaars asook ‘n paar van sy eie liedere, soos Die Gebed, en Ek Wil Jou By My Hê. Saam met hulle op die verhoog is spesiale gas, klavier virtuoos Matthys Marree wat al vele diep spore in die Suid Afrikaanse musiek bedryf gelaat het.
Alle verwerkings is gedoen deur Mauritz Lotz. Met stemme, klavier en kitare + ’n paar instrumentele solos wat jou asem sal wegslaan, maak “Stem En Snaar” vir ’n onvergeetlike vertoning wat die hartsnare roer!
Lize Beekman
WOORDFEES
28 September 14:00
30 September 20:00
Drostdy Theatre
Lize’s 27-year career as a singer-songwriter has given us a treasure trove of Afrikaans lyrics and music.. She weaves the most beautiful stories with her lyrics and reminds us how beautiful Afrikaans is. Join her as she shares new songs and some familiar favourites and enjoy a soulful, intimate evening immersed in words and music that allow you to take a moment and breathe.
A Victor Borge Tribute
WOORDFEES
29 September 13:00
Drostdy Theatre
Winand Grundling, award winning organist and pianist, showcases his gift for comedy and musical improvisation in this entertaining production inspired by the legendary Victor Borge. Borge (1909-2000) was known as the funniest man in classical music and combined wordplay, physical gags and dazzling virtuosity in his shows. In this sparkling tribute, Winand brings his own innate style, warmth, and brilliant musicality to a show that has audiences laughing, cheering and dancing in the aisles.
Afr die taal van my hart II
WOORDFEES
30 September 12:00
Drostdy Theatre
With Mathys Roets, Jacobus Silwer
After two successful years with the first Afrikaans, die taal van my hart – at amongst others the KKNK, Vrystaat Kunstefees and the Atterbury Theatre – the follow-up show returns with some of South Africa’s biggest hits. There are so many memorable songs that one show was not enough!
Ontban
WOORDFEES
1 October 20:00
3 October 16:00
Drostdy Theatre
Two extraordinary classical singers take on hits from a different time and take you on a journey back to long ago. Songs that were once banned, by artists such as Johannes Kerkorrel, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, David Kramer and Brenda Fassie, are brought across generational borders and carefully and honestly “unbanned”.
With Lynelle Kenned, Corneil Muller, Stefan Lombard
A unique musical theatre experience
WOORDFEES
2 October 16:30
Upstage Lounge
As Louis Loock prepares for an opera concert, he shares his dreams and the characters he has dreamed of playing: Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Marius in Les Misérables, King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, The MC in Cabaret. When it’s time for the concert, he sings favourites such as “Dein ist mein ganzes Hertz”, “La donna è mobile” and “Nessun Dorma” before returning to the dressing room where his dreams live on in the magical world of the musical.
Soet water uit die donker put
WOORDFEES
4 October 20:00
6 October 13:00
Drostdy Theatre
One poet, one actor, one cello, two guitars. Words, stories, poems in harmony. A profoundly thoughtful and sharply observed look at how Spring always follows Winter. This is a unique audiovisual performance, born from the synergy of two creative souls.
With Koos van der Merwe, Ivan Zimmermann, Anjulie de Vos (cello)
Riaad Moosa
LIVE
11 - 12 October - 20:15
Drostdy Teater
Dr Riaad Moosa riffs on current events, his personal life and his search for meaning in a very chaotic world. He delves into the complexities of modern life with his signature blend of humour and insight.
Tackling big philosophical questions through the lens of everyday family chaos, Moosa explores the stress and absurdity of trying to find meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming. With sharp wit and relatable anecdotes, he brings the audience on a journey through the joys and challenges of parenthood, marriage, and the relentless quest for purpose in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Andrew Young
Rhythm & Blues
24 January - 20:15
Drostdy Teater
International Saxophonist Andrew Young to Perform "Rhythm & Blues" at DrostdyTheatre, Stellenbosch, South Africa – January 24, 2025 – Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Andrew Young is set to captivate audiences once again with his latest show, Rhythm & Blues, at the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch.
The performance will take place on January 24th, 2025, promising an unforgettable night of soulful music and electrifying performances.
Andrew Young, known for his mastery of the saxophone and dynamic stage presence, will be performing a selection of iconic Rhythm and Blues hits. Audiences can look forward to timeless classics like "Sweet Home Chicago" from the legendary Blues Brothers, Ray Charles' evocative "Georgia On My Mind," and the powerful "Walking By Myself" by Gary Moore.
Andrew Young will be accompanied by Cape Town's own renowned pianist, Tony Drake and percussionist Jason Ward. Together, they will bring these classic songs to life, blending their exceptional talents to create a night of music that resonates with both heart and soul.
Andrew Young’s career has spanned the globe, earning him a reputation as one of the most talented and versatile saxophonists in the world. His ability to cross genres and connect with audiences of all ages makes his performances a must-see.