II at Artscape (23-25 July)

An invitation to drama educators, lecturers and students: experience Shakespeare and Marlowe in a bold new theatrical dialogue!

Following acclaimed performances at the Verona Shakespeare Fringe Festival (Italy), Wilde Stages Theatre Festival (Ireland) and the prestigious Craiova International Shakespeare Festival (Romania), Abrahamse & Meyer Productions' internationally celebrated II comes to the Artscape Arena for a limited Cape Town season.

Adapted from William Shakespeare’s Richard II and Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, the production places two of English Renaissance drama’s most compelling monarchs in conversation, revealing striking thematic and dramatic parallels between the works of two of the period’s greatest playwrights.

“For God’s sake let us sit upon the ground, and tell sad stories of the death of kings.” — Richard II

For drama students and educators, II offers a unique opportunity to experience Shakespeare and Marlowe in performance while exploring adaptation, dramaturgy, classical acting, contemporary staging, design and music.

Whether studied as literature or experienced as live performance, these texts gain new life through the immediacy of the stage.

Why bring your students?

• Experience Shakespeare and Marlowe performed side by side.

• Explore the process of adapting classical texts for contemporary audiences.

• Discover innovative approaches to acting, directing, scenography and sound design.

• Witness an internationally acclaimed South African production that has represented the country at three major European festivals.

Thursday 23 July – 19:30
Friday 24 July – 19:30
Saturday 25 July – 15:00 & 19:30

Group bookings for schools and tertiary institutions are welcome. [Discount Price: R110]

Shakespeare's sonnets like you've never heard them before

Singer-songwriter Tholwana Dyosopu has applied her creative talents to produce a fresh take on some of Shakespeare’s best-known sonnets (and a couple that may be new to you).

Dyosopu, who took the highly-prized top spot on SA’s Got Talent in 2014 when she was still a teenager, launched her debut EP Warrior the following year. Her album 2.0.1.5 was nominated for a South African Music Award. An alumna of the National School of the Arts, Dyosopu pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Dyosopu is the Artist in Residence for 2026 at Wits’ Tsikinya-Chaka Centre (TCC). In this capacity, she has produced an exciting series of musical adaptations of Shakespearean sonnets. You can listen to these tracks, along with a conversation between the artist and TCC Director Chris Thurman, in two recent episodes of the podcast Shake the Sword!

The songs and the interview were recorded in the Chris Seabrooke Music Hall at the Wits School of Arts and in the Wits Music Department’s studio. In the first instalment, Thurman and Dyosopu talk about how the project developed, focusing on Dyosopu’s first sonnet-song: “Dancing with Lies” (Sonnet 138, “When my love swears that she is made of truth,/ I do believe her, though I know she lies...”). Then they turn to the much-loved Sonnet 116, “Let me not to the marriage of true minds/Admit impediments” – or, in Dyosopu’s version, “I deny”. The episode finishes with “Night will come”, a poignant rendition of Sonnet 73, “That time of year thou mayst in me behold...”

Listen to Shake the Sword! on your podcast platform of choice:

In Episode 2, Thurman and Dyosopu kick off with arguably the most famous (and perhaps slightly over-familiar) sonnet of them all: Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Dyosopu explains how her song, “But then there’s you”, celebrates a loved one just as Shakespeare’s poem does but shifts into a slightly mournful mood.

Then it’s time for a change in gear as they tackle Sonnet 130, “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”. Dyosopu interprets this as “My baby’s so basic”. She tells listeners about how she was inspired by a classroom conversation she observed during her teacher training, in which the school learners explored the difficult but urgent topic of beauty standards – and the pressures that these place on young women in particular.

The episode concludes with a fascinating insight into Dyosopu’s musical process, as we listen to her recording a series of harmonies to create an a cappella version of Sonnet 73: “When I lay my life down”. This one’s especially for fans of Pitch Perfect!

More schools’ Shakespeare in Johannesburg and Cape Town

Romeo and Juliet opens in Johannesburg, then the Shakespeare Schools Festival kicks off in Cape Town

Romeo and Juliet is widely prescribed as a school set work, but there’s nothing like seeing the play performed onstage! This new production at Joburg Theatre is directed by Campbell Meas. Learn more about the cast here. Book through Webtickets.

Shakespeare for school learners doesn’t only have to be what’s on the curriculum . . . Now into its sixteenth year, the Shakespeare Schools Festival South Africa (SSFSA) is Africa’s largest youth theatre festival. It features primary and secondary schools, as well as independent youth drama groups, giving dynamic abridged performances of Shakespeare’s plays. From 6-23 May, almost forty participating ensembles will gather at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town to present their work. Book via Webtickets.

Watch this space for information about the Johannesburg and Durban events later this year!

National Children's Theatre: ROMEO AND JULIET and MACBETH

Co-directed by Lucy Wylde and Devon Flemmer, this Shakespearean double bill is currently travelling to schools across Gauteng.

Calling all secondary school educators in the greater Johannesburg region:

Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth might be in the curriculum for some of your learners . . . or perhaps neither of these plays is prescribed . . . or maybe Shakespeare isn’t in the English or Drama syllabus at your school at all! Whichever of these circumstances may apply, learners can only benefit from the experience of watching live theatre. The National Children’s Theatre’s ensemble of intrepid “travelling players” is ready to come to you.

They promise to “combine deep understanding with innovative staging to ensure learners experience Shakespeare’s plays as living works of art that speak directly to their lives. From vaulting ambition and the corrupting pull of power in Macbeth, to first love caught in cycles of violence and division in Romeo and Juliet, both productions bring Shakespeare’s most urgent themes into sharp focus for today’s learners.

NCT’s professional cast gives these two classic tales a contemporary flair with bold performances, visceral storytelling, and the original language delivered with precision and power. Perfectly aligned with the English, Drama and Creative Arts curriculum, this double bill presents streamlined, high-impact versions of these renowned tragedies. Each production is punchy, accessible and dynamic, bringing energy and relevance to Shakespeare’s texts.”

For school bookings and further information, contact Nthabiseng Mmethi (email nthabiseng@nctheatresa.org.za or phone 011 484 1584).

There will also be public performances on 18 April 2026 at the National Children’s Theatre (3 Junction Avenue, Parktown). Tickets R100 each or R150 for both plays. Book via Webtickets.

The Complete Works (abridged!) at the Masque Theatre

F Creations presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - a “riotous, fast-paced romp through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in just two hours” - at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, Cape Town.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, the founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of the Company’s creation. The show blends clever parody with a genuine love of Shakespeare.

Award-winning theatre company F Creations celebrates its tenth birthday this year, proudly presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) for a new audience. The present run reunites the three original cast members from F Creations’ inaugural production: Faeron Wheeler, Daniel Enticott and Kim R2. They may be a little older and wiser now, but they’re still ready to hurtle through the entire canon with irreverent wit, wild costume changes and hilarious audience interaction.

Faeron Wheeler is the founder of F Creations, and producer of award-winning shows such as Your Perfect Life and (extra)ordinary, (un)usual. F Creations has also produced short films, including taking part in The 48 Hour Film Project.  Kim R2 studied drama at Rhodes University and has performed in numerous community and professional productions. She is also the author of four children’s books. Daniel Enticott has decades of experience as a theatre maker and performer, as well as having made various radio and television appearances. 

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is presented by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Limited. No Under 13s.

Details of remaining performances:

1 and 7 March at 14h30

5, 6 and 7 March at 19h30

Bookings can be made at Quicket and at the Box Office at The Masque.