"earthside"
This one-woman dark comedy is written and performed by Candice Bernstein.
Directed by the award-winning Jennifer Steyn, it comically explores the overlap between new motherhood and personal loss
“I wrote 'earthside' when I found myself experiencing the joy of first-time parenthood alongside the grief of losing my beloved grandfather,” Bernstein said in an interview with "Independent Media Lifestyle".
“I think it’s something many people will relate to – the ‘sandwich years’ of caring for both young and old family. I use humour and dark comedy to navigate this journey.”
Motherhood and mourning don’t often share space, especially on stage. But for Bernstein, bringing them together felt both necessary and deeply personal.
“I couldn’t believe that these two topics were colliding in my life. To experience such joy with my son in tandem with heart-shattering loss felt surreal. As I shared my story with others, I learned that this had occurred for several of my friends.
"But yet, this isn’t something I had seen on stage before. And so the journey of creating 'earthside' began.”
As for what she hopes audiences take away from the piece? "I hope it gives them a sense of gratitude for the 'now'. I hope it reminds them that all of this is temporary and forever changing. We cannot take a single second of our lives for granted, and we always need to try to find the humour in it."
Where: Theatre Arts.
When: Runs until Thursday 17 April, 17. All shows start at 7.30pm.
"A Doll’s House Part 2"
This production by Lucas Hnath’s opens in South Africa after a successful run on Broadway and the West End.
Nominated for eight Tony Awards, the play stars Bianca Amato and Zane Meas and is directed by Barbara Rubin.
This this darkly comic play unpacks marriage autonomy and social expectations.
Where: The Baxter Studio.
When: Runs until May 10. Show times are 2.30pm and 8pm, depending on the day.
"My Children! My Africa!"
Set in an Eastern Cape classroom in 1984, this play by Athol Fugard follows a teacher and his student caught between education and uprising during apartheid.
It also explores generational conflict, idealism and political resistance in a society on edge.
Where: The Artscape Theatre.
When: Runs until Wednesday April 16. Show times are at 11pm and 2pm, depending on the day.