Skip to content

Am I Next? confronts masculinity and grief

The Art Cave and Likhona Afrika Productions, in association with The Market Theatre, present Am I Next?, a psychological drama exploring masculinity, silence, identity and survival. The show runs at Kippies from 30 October to 1 November 2026.

It is written by Lindokuhle Hadebe, directed and choreographed by Ross Junior Hlongwane, with Sarah Mokwe as co-director.

At the centre of the story is Aizivashe, a man whose life has been shattered by the loss of his wife, parents and newborn child. Struggling to carry the weight of his grief, he encounters Darpan, a mysterious figure who seems to know his deepest memories, pain and fears. As reality and hallucination collide, Aizivashe is forced into a disturbing confrontation with himself.

Through this journey, Am I Next? explores the expectations placed on men to remain strong, the emotional cost of suffering in silence and the struggle to express pain in a society that does not always make room for vulnerability. The production invites audiences to look beyond appearances, question what it means to be strong and consider how often the struggles of those around us go unnoticed.

Buy Tickets

Reflecting on the intention behind the production, co-directors Ross Junior Hlongwane and Sarah Mokwe say: “As directors, we use Am I Next? to centre men’s experiences and challenge society to create space for their vulnerability. We hope this production opens up conversations about the ways men express pain, often beyond what we understand, and inspires a society willing to listen, hold space, and support them.”

The work features performances by Minenhle Zuma and Lewis Childane.

Its presentation at Kippies Fringe offers audiences an intimate encounter with a story that asks difficult questions about grief, identity, masculinity and emotional survival.

Audiences are invited to experience Am I Next? at Kippies Fringe, The Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg, across four performances from 30 October to 1 November 2026. With tickets priced at R100, the production offers an opportunity to engage with a story that challenges audiences to reflect on the pain people carry, the conversations they avoid and the support they may need.

Am I Next? was developed through the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival, facilitated by The Art Cave at The Market Theatre Laboratory.

Come face the mirror. Come hear what silence has been hiding. Dates and times for performances are as follows: Friday, 30 October 2026 at 19:30. Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 15:30 and 19:30. Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 15:30.

Tickets are out on Webtickets selling for R100. Bulk tickets can be purchased at The Market Theatre box office: 4 tickets at R350 and 8 tickets at R670.

ENDS

The Kippies Fringe is an initiative of The Market Theatre, a division of The Market Theatre Foundation.

For media enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at The Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

For reduced price block bookings of 10 or more and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development Specialist at The Market Theatre Foundation) at anthonye@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950.