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MEDEA: Hell Has No Fury Like a Sorceress Betrayed

Fans of theatre classics are in for a ride as The Windybrow Arts Centre stages “Medea” at The Market Theatre, an ancient Greek tragedy now reimagined for South Africa and the world’s current fractured times. Directed by Leila Henriques, the play will run from 27 – 30 November 2025 for four unmissable performances only.

The reimagined story plays out in a parched Johannesburg where water is running out. There, Jason, crushed by debt, abandons his lover Medea as he believes marrying an affluent daughter will keep his family afloat. But to Medea – a foreigner in a hostile land who is devastated by betrayal – revenge becomes the only response. Featuring an impressive young cast and teenage chorus from the Windybrow Arts Centre who embody the city’s conscience, “Medea” is an exploration of emotional dysregulation, betrayal and the cost of love in a world running dry.

Henriques says although the play was first performed in 431 BC, it still resonates with local and global dynamics, capturing the complexities of modern-day love, betrayal, obsession, immigration and gender politics. “In its essence,” Henriques elaborates, “it is a story of a breakup where the children are used as bargaining chips between the two warring parties. Adults sacrificing children for honour, wealth, power and to inflict as much pain on the other side as possible. This is relevant in the world today.

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Not only in love relationships but also in global politics and wars. I was drawn to the original play by Euripides because of the relevance of its themes, but also because of its heightened language, heightened emotion that tells a domestic story of love, betrayal and survival.”

Gerard Bester, Head of The Windybrow Arts Centre, adds that “Medea” presents a reframing of marginalisation, calling for deeper understanding of each other’s lived experiences. “The work forces us to engage, in the most visceral way, what desperation can do to us to create havoc and destruction to those close to us and ourselves. How poverty and finding oneself unwanted in a foreign land can lead to this destruction. The work demands understanding, empathy and compassion for humans who perform horrific acts under the most difficult of circumstances.”

“Medea” is a collaboration between The Windybrow Arts Centre, Kwasha! Theatre Company as well as Playgroup, a multidisciplinary art collective whose interest lies in how Johannesburg is experienced through sound. Chloe Whittstock designs set and costumes, Andile Mgeyi choreographs and Themba Mthimkulu designs lighting. The cast comprises Gofaone Bodigelo, Londa Mkhize, Thingo Mcanyana, Jack Mabokachaba, Natasha Dube, Malcom Moloi, Andile Ngoboza and Privilege Ndhlovu.

Tickets for “Medea” are available on Webtickets starting from R110, with special prices for groups of four or more. The recommended age for this play is 14+.

Affordable, safe and secure underground parking is available at the Newtown Junction.

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

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

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