Four independent productions from the Free State and Limpopo are set to join The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe for the inaugural Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng, a three-day programme running from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Kippies.

Featuring four independent productions from the Free State and Limpopo, the initiative aims to create opportunities for theatre makers beyond Gauteng to present their work to Johannesburg audiences and become part of the artistic exchange taking place at The Market Theatre during its 50th anniversary year.

The programme features “And…Action” by Jane Mpholo, “Lentsoe” by Bapala Creatives, “I Bleached My Punani” by Goitsemang Pholo and “AmaGrootman” by Solly Malaka. Each production will have one performance only at the small-seater venue. The selection focused on productions already touring, with existing arrangements for travel and accommodation.

Together, the works bring different creative voices into a programme that asks an important question: how can independent theatre makers from across South Africa access new audiences and opportunities beyond their home provinces?

According to The Art Cave, the idea for Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng grew from conversations with independent producers who expressed an interest in bringing their productions to Johannesburg. “That conversation stayed with us. We may not yet have the resources to bring everyone for a full season, but we can start somewhere. This first programme gives four productions an opportunity to be seen, and it allows us to learn what might be possible if we continue building this idea.”

For The Art Cave, however, the initiative is about more than bringing shows to Johannesburg. It is also about how theatre spaces can make room for artists whose work is created beyond the country’s main theatre centres.

The Art Cave’s curation of the Kippies Fringe offers an opportunity to contribute to The Market Theatre’s broader vision of shared ownership and wider access. Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng is one step towards making that vision tangible by connecting artists, audiences and stories across provincial boundaries—a true home to the South African story in all its complexities and nuances.

Performance schedule

Friday, 13 November 2026

• 19:30 — And…Action by Jane Mpholo (Free State)

Saturday, 14 November 2026

• 15:30 — Lentsoe by Bapala Creatives (Free State)
• 19:30 — I Bleached My Punani by Goitsemang Pholo (Free State)

Sunday, 15 November 2026

• 15:30 — AmaGrootman by Solly Malaka (Limpopo)

Audiences can catch an individual production for R80 or purchase a four-show pass for R260 to experience the full Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng programme.

Support independent theatre makers and discover stories from beyond Gauteng at the 2026 Kippies Fringe, taking place at Kippies, Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg, from 13 to 15 November 2026.

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.

Four independent productions from the Free State and Limpopo are set to join The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe for the inaugural Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng, a three-day programme running from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Kippies.

Featuring four independent productions from the Free State and Limpopo, the initiative aims to create opportunities for theatre makers beyond Gauteng to present their work to Johannesburg audiences and become part of the artistic exchange taking place at The Market Theatre during its 50th anniversary year.

The programme features “And…Action” by Jane Mpholo, “Lentsoe” by Bapala Creatives, “I Bleached My Punani” by Goitsemang Pholo and “AmaGrootman” by Solly Malaka. Each production will have one performance only at the small-seater venue. The selection focused on productions already touring, with existing arrangements for travel and accommodation.

Together, the works bring different creative voices into a programme that asks an important question: how can independent theatre makers from across South Africa access new audiences and opportunities beyond their home provinces?

According to The Art Cave, the idea for Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng grew from conversations with independent producers who expressed an interest in bringing their productions to Johannesburg. “That conversation stayed with us. We may not yet have the resources to bring everyone for a full season, but we can start somewhere. This first programme gives four productions an opportunity to be seen, and it allows us to learn what might be possible if we continue building this idea.”

For The Art Cave, however, the initiative is about more than bringing shows to Johannesburg. It is also about how theatre spaces can make room for artists whose work is created beyond the country’s main theatre centres.

The Art Cave’s curation of the Kippies Fringe offers an opportunity to contribute to The Market Theatre’s broader vision of shared ownership and wider access. Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng is one step towards making that vision tangible by connecting artists, audiences and stories across provincial boundaries—a true home to the South African story in all its complexities and nuances.

Performance schedule

Friday, 13 November 2026

• 19:30 — And…Action by Jane Mpholo (Free State)

Saturday, 14 November 2026

• 15:30 — Lentsoe by Bapala Creatives (Free State)
• 19:30 — I Bleached My Punani by Goitsemang Pholo (Free State)

Sunday, 15 November 2026

• 15:30 — AmaGrootman by Solly Malaka (Limpopo)

Audiences can catch an individual production for R80 or purchase a four-show pass for R260 to experience the full Producers Spotlight: Beyond Gauteng programme.

Support independent theatre makers and discover stories from beyond Gauteng at the 2026 Kippies Fringe, taking place at Kippies, Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg, from 13 to 15 November 2026.

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.

After six years since his last album, celebrated South African jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader Sisonke Xonti presents uKholo, a powerful new album exploring faith, hope, healing and resilience.

On Saturday, 7 November 2026, Xonti brings uKholo to the John Kani Theatre at The Market Theatre for a special live album launch, presented by Sankayi Jazz Series and produced by Alex Productions.

The Johannesburg performance forms part of a two-city album launch, following the Cape Town performance at Homecoming Theatre on Sunday, 1 November.

Originally from Cape Town, Xonti relocated to Johannesburg, where he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant jazz scene and developed his musical voice. Six years after his previous album, Xonti presents uKholo, a new body of work shaped by themes of faith, hope, healing and resilience.

uKholo, meaning faith, embodies the essence of faith in challenging times. Drawing on deeply resonant melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the album explores fear, grief, healing and solace, while encouraging listeners to embrace peace, find strength in vulnerability and recognise the importance of community and connection.

When the Dlomo family comes together to celebrate their daughter’s academic achievement, uncomfortable questions of identity, family history and belonging unravel.

The Graduation of K-C is a brand new South African play by multi-award-winning playwright, director and dramaturg, Greg Homann, co-produced by The Market Theatre and How Now Brown Cow. The production will run from 5 – 29 November 2026 at The Market Theatre.

Set against the backdrop of a looming second wave to decolonise education, the play centres on a Xhosa father and Northern-Irish mother navigating identity, history and belonging as they gather to celebrate their 21 year-old daughter’s graduation from university. As tensions across generations surface and long-held assumptions are challenged, the enticing play explores love, politics and cultural inheritance with wit and emotional depth, offering a timely and resonant reflection on connection across history, place and borders.

This year’s Pride Month is set to be a theatrically rich, exhilarating affair as The Market Theatre presents its first ever Queer Festival, running from 21 to 25 October 2026. This new initiative aims to bring together a mix of nine performances across cabaret, drama, live concert, dance and new writing.

“With this inaugural iteration, we enter a bold new chapter, promising a vibrant celebration of identity, resistance and radical joy. The Market Theatre has always thrived on being home to the South African story across all backgrounds and experiences. With this festival, we once again make a statement of safe belonging and free expression,” said Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation.

In a thrilling return, the iconic Pieter-Dirk Uys presents his equally legendary alter-ego, Evita Bezuidenhout, for a powerful performance of “Evita @ 91”. This work, staged 35 years since the conception of Evita in 1981 at The Market Theatre – when even drag was outlawed – reminds us how far we’ve come, and still have to go.

Across the decades, Evita became not just a persona but a vehicle for social change, satire and expression at some of our most difficult periods as a country. As we meet Evita again, audiences can expect a bare-knuckle exploration of contemporary issues, delivered in entertaining, witty and deeply moving ways.

In addition to Evita’s seminal comeback, Chantal Stanfield’s “Shockwave” will electrify the programme with its sharp and compelling drama. Directed by David Dennis, this brand new play is set concurrent with P.W Botha’s State of Emergency that gripped the country in the 1980s and intensified resistance against the apartheid regime. The spectre of a new ‘Gay plague’ looms large while homosexuality is illegal and stigmatised. As it unfolds, the script lures audiences into the life of “Larry”, who is forced to confront questions of sexuality, faith and belonging in a world trapped by increasing fear and deepening prejudice.

Grounded in the lived experience of being a trans man, “The Breasts of Tiresias” is a provocative new work that draws deeply on the life of Angelo de Klerk, who co-wrote the play with former Market Theatre Artistic Director Malcolm Purkey. Rooted in truth and identity, the production offers an intimate and compelling exploration of gender and transformation against the backdrop of heritage and social conformity.

The production stars Gerard Bester and Sandi Dlangalala, with music created by Carlo Mombelli and additional material by Renos Spanoudes.

“Bum Stuff: An Anal Fixation” is a smart, funny and surprisingly thoughtful new South African cabaret commissioned by The Market Theatre that explores one of society’s last great taboos through music, comedy and storytelling. It centres around anal sex, exploring shame, pleasure, communication and the stories we inherit about our bodies. This production, written and directed by Bruce J Little, is strictly intended for adult audiences (18+).

Vuyelwa Maluleke’s “The Blue Album”, which showcased at The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe and the National Arts Festival Fringe, champions unique township queer perspectives. With this piece, Maluleke fuses poetry, monologue, movement and choral voice to stage an intimate portrait of queer life and love in townships. For its run at Kippies Fringe last year, “The Blue Album” scooped the Outstanding Performance Award, and at the National Arts Festival this year it received the Silver Ovation Award.

Highlighting music as a central form of expression and identity, the Queer Festival features a concert titled “Archive” performed by the Johannesburg Queer Chorus, who will be singing a repertoire that acknowledges Jo’burg’s queer community.

Alongside the broader offering of music, dance and drama is a curated series by Jason Wheeler and Maralin van Reenen of fresh, provocative LGBTQ+ writings from emerging and established voices, entitled “No Filter: A Showcase of Queer Writing”.

The full programme of the Queer Fest at The Market is available on the Theatre’s website, with bookings already open for some events.

Safe and affordable underground parking available at Newtown Junction.

ENDS

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

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 and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development Specialist) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950.

The Market Theatre in partnership with the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), Wits University Press and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN CCA) have teamed up for the premiere of Mr Duiker Sang the Blues, a theatrical adaptation of the 2025 DALRO Can Themba Merit Award winning short story of the same name, written by Dyondzo Kwinika.

This new play-with-music tracks the life of an exceptional jazz musician named “Themba”, who enjoys a successful music career while wrestling his inner demons. Through the recollections of his family and those closest to him, the play presents a deeply intimate and honest exploration of family, friendship, memory and the complexities of mental health.

The production will run from 13 September to 4 October 2026 at The Market Theatre. This timing has special significance as September is the month in which Can Themba died nearly 60 years ago in 1967. In addition, staging this work in South Africa’s Heritage Month provides a moment for deep reflection on Themba’s literary legacy, while inspiring the current generation of writers—including Dyonzo Kwinika.