The Shakespearean flagship at this year’s Maynardville Open-Air Festival in Cape Town is a production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Festival favourite Geoff Hyland. The show, which opens on 25 January, boasts a cast that brings together exciting young performers and veterans of the South African stage to breathe new life into this much-loved play.
The Maynardville magic
Image: Dominique Gorin
Simone Neethling (Juliet) and Nathum Hughes (Romeo)
Image: Candice van Litsenborgh
Having graduated from LAMTA and with a handful of film and TV credits under her belt, versatile performer Simone Neethling will take the role of Juliet. Nahum Hughes, who studied at UCT’s Centre for Theatre and Performance (like Neethling, he graduated in 2021), has also already appeared onscreen in a number of roles and now makes his professional stage debut as Romeo.
This dynamic duo are joined by a stellar cast that includes Tessa Jubber as Lady Capulet, Rehane Abrahams as Lady Montague/Mercutio, Mbulelo Grootboom as Montague, Pat Pillai as Capulet, John Maytham as the Prince, Hannah Borthwick as the Nurse, Cleo Wesley as Friar Lawrence, Tailyn Ramsamy as Benvolio, Jock Kleynhans as Tybalt and Mihir Soni as Paris, with Sizwesandile Mnisi, Caleb Swanepoel, Zach Esau and Thulani Nzonzo completing the ensemble.
The festival programme kicks off with Rachmaninoff Rendezvous on 18 January; this concert will be followed by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra presenting a “musical journey through the timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet”, including both familiar and less well-known compositions (19-21 January). The run of Romeo and Juliet will be punctuated by a series of one-off events: An Evening with Cape Town Opera on 4 February, A Night at the Musicals on 11 February and Friends in Harmony: A Choral Celebration on 25 February.
Bookings can be made through Quicket.