Woyzeck, directed by Lara Foot at the Baxter

From the creators of the multi-award-winning Karoo Moose, joined by the popular theatre actor and television personality Rob Van Vuuren, comes the brilliant tale of Woyzeck, directed by Lara Foot, at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from 26 August to 11 September at 18h30 or 20h15 nightly.

This version of the classic play, written by German playwright Georg Büchner in 1834, this version of the classic play is based on the adaptation by Daniel Kramer, which Lara and the company have adapted further, setting it in a contemporary African landscape.

This is Lara’s first new direction project since her appointment as CEO and Artistic head of the Baxter Theatre Centre in January. For this world premiere of Woyzeck she is assisted by Mncedisi Shabangu, with set and costume design by Leopold Senekal, lighting design by Patrick Curtis, choreography by Ina Wichterich-Mogane and music by Bongile Mantsai. Newcomer John Ndouma is the singer.

The dynamic and versatile cast who bring the story to life are Zoleka Helesi (Udaba Bafazi, House of the Holy Afro), Mdu Kweyama (Shooting Stars, Onnest’Bo), Bongile Mantsai (Udaba Bafazi, Big Dada), Thami Mbongo (The Tempest, Shooting Stars), Chuma Sopotela (The Tempest, Beneath Silent Waters), Apollo Ntshoko (Greensman, Kwamanzi) and Rob van Vuuren (SA’s Got Talent, Corné and Twakkie). The entire company, except van Vuuren, has been performing Karoo Moose to great acclaim at the Baxter after the production 15th award recently at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.

With this production of Woyzeck Lara continues her signature style of exploring and creating filmic opportunities for the stage, and has come up with a sexy, sensual and visual feast for all serious theatre-lovers. “I like to play with dense texts and bring out the elements and characters that they deal with by creating a multi-sensory experience for theatre and film,” says Lara.

But why Woyzeck? And why now?  She explains, “I’ve always wanted to tackle this play. The story is packed with dark intrigue and textured themes - there’s love and romance, jealousy, envy, deceit, betrayal, adultery, suicide and murder or homicide. Great stuff to make up the psychological tragedy. It was, however, important to find the perfect collaborators and actors for what I had in mind. I was lucky; I found my dream team and co-creators in the Karoo Moose company with the addition of the extraordinary Rob van Vuuren to complete the picture.”

With nearly 20 top awards under her belt, Lara has directed over 40 professional productions, 29 of which have been new South African plays, and she has been integral in the development of more than 35 new South African plays. Some of the contemporary classics which she has directed include Peter Shaffer’s Equus and Amadeus, Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Samuel Beckett’s End Game and Waiting for Godot, Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire and Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. Her four plays Tshepang, Hear And Now, Reach and Karoo Moose have all toured internationally with great success and they are published by Wits Press and Oberon books.

Johannesburg-based assistant director Mncedisi Shabangu has a long theatre history with Lara which dates back to their days at the Market Theatre. Last year he performed in Tshepang, another of her highly praised and award-winning productions, which travelled to Canada after its season at the Baxter.

Woyzeck was the first German literary work whose main characters were members of the working class. Far from being a simple tale of village murder, the play shows the systematic debasement, even intellectual and spiritual ‘murder,’ of the protagonist and all his class. It has become one of the most performed and influential plays in the German theatre repertory.

The play deals with the dehumanising effects of misguided doctors and the military on a young man's life. It is often seen as 'working class' tragedy, though it can also be viewed as having another dimension, portraying the perennial tragedy of human jealousy.

Woyzeck is not recommended for children under 16. The production previews at the Baxter Golden Arrow on 26 and 27 August at 18h30, opens on Saturday, 28 August at 18h30 and runs until 11 September at 18h30 or 20h15 nightly. Patrons are encouraged to check starting times when booking. Ticket prices range from R70 for the Baxter Monday special offer, which includes a light meal and show, to R130 at weekends.

or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet countrywide. For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers contact Sharon on 021 680 3962, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Carmen on 021 680 3993, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Production Information

Woyzeck Cast

Zoleka Helesi

Mdu Kweyama

Bongile Mantsai

Thami Mbongo

Apollo Ntshoko

Chuma Sopotela

Rob van Vuuren

John Ndouma (singer)

Written by:                                           Georg Büchner

Based on the adaption by:                  Daniel Kramer

Adapted further by:                             The Company

Director:                                              Lara Foot

Assistant Director:                               Mncedisi Shabangu

Set and Costume Design:                   Leopold Senekal

Lighting Design:                                  Patrick Curtis

Choreography:                                    Ina Wichterich-Mogane

Music:                                                 Bongile Mantsai

Dates:                                                  26 August - 11 September, 2010

Times:                                                 18h30 (Aug 26, 27, 28, 31, Sept 2, 3, 4, 7)

20h15 (Aug 30, Sept 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)

Venue:                                                 Baxter Golden Arrow Studio

Ticket prices:                                      Baxter Mondays (30 August, 6 September at 20h15) - R70

Tues to Thurs - R120, Fri to Sat - R130

Booking:                                              Computicket on 083 915 8000, online at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet countrywide

Block-booking:                                    For discounted block, schools or corporate bookings, charities and fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962 or Carmen on 021 680 3993 during office hours.