Invisible Scars, the 2024 Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Best Production winner, will be staged at the Baxter this month. It will be performed at the Finest of the Fest, held from 9 to 19 October, in the Baxter Studio. The show will start at 8 pm nightly, with selected matinees at 11 am and 2.30 pm.
Invisible Scars at the Baxter
The gripping two-hander – written by Themba Baleni, who also directs Thandolwethu Mzembe and Abongile Ntshuca – will captivate and challenge audiences with its raw portrayal of gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health issues in South Africa. Baleni also received the Best Director award for the production, at the Zabalaza Festival earlier this year.
A once harmonious marriage morphs into a high-stakes battlefield where love becomes entangled with business dealings and personal betrayal as the relationship is strained to its limits, unravelling and revealing the profound impact of a couple’s darkest thoughts and unspoken truths.
A Heart-wrenching Drama
The heart-wrenching drama follows the life of a celebrated soccer player, whose glittering career is on the brink of a breakthrough. In a shocking twist of fate, a devastating car accident threatens to obliterate his dreams and force him to confront the fragility of his world. As he battles to reclaim his future, the audience is challenged to face their fears and find the strength to rise again.
Invisible Scars doesn’t just tell a story – it immerses the audience in an emotional odyssey through physical theatre, evocative poetry and a mix of audio-visual elements. Each moment is crafted for the audience to reflect the character’s inner turmoil and profound resilience. It vividly brings to life the challenges and triumphs of those who dare to confront their invisible scars. The riveting tale is more than a performance; it’s an exploration of the human spirit, an invitation to reflect on our lives, and a call to embrace hope and renewal.
GBV remains one of the most critical women’s rights issues
In South Africa, GBV remains one of the most critical women’s rights issues, with femicide often perpetrated by intimate partners or ex-partners. With women representing 51.1% of the population, the staggering statistics emphasise the urgent need for societal change and intervention. The play not only highlights these grim realities but also courageously confronts the realities of gender-based violence and the mental health crisis in South Africa.
Mdu Kweyama, artistic director of the Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival, explains, “This work is profoundly moving in its ability to provoke introspection and dialogue. It portrays the enduring power of theatre to effect meaningful change, presenting a narrative that resonates deeply with our shared humanity and emphasises the urgency of collective action.”
He says this Play is not just a theatrical piece but a compelling call to empathy, urging us all to address the unseen scars that impact us personally and our society, in the pursuit of a more compassionate and just future.
MORE INFORMATION: About the Tickets
The production is made possible by the generous support of the HCI Foundation, the City of Cape Town, the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and Heineken. There is an age restriction of 16 years.
