Back by popular demand! 

The Longshots present:

“Sense and Nonsensibility pt. 2”

A Jane Austen-inspired improvised sequel!

Will Miss Bingleton’s second season finally secure her a husband, or merely a refund on her first?

Can Miss Hopewell’s heart endure another round of suitors, secrets, and slightly inappropriate waltzing?

Has the Bumforts estate returned to its former glory, or merely reupholstered the furniture and their reputations?

Who knows? Least of all The Longshots, who return to the Austen-tacious world of period dramedy - without pride, but with a pinch of sense and a great deal of sensibility. Leave your prejudice at home and join us for an evening among the as-yet-undiscovered cousins, aunts, wards, and in-laws of Austen’s world - only marginally tainted by our own delightful madness.

Dreams in Motion is a tribute to the dedication and determination that drive our dancers to reach for their goals — both on and off the stage. Each dancer has poured countless hours of effort and heart into their craft, showing that true success comes from persistence, teamwork, and self-belief.

Each performance tells a story of courage, creativity, and transformation. From the first steps of learning to the thrill of performance, our dancers have grown in confidence and skill, proving that when passion meets perseverance, dreams truly come alive.

As the curtain opens, we celebrate not only the achievements of our dancers but the journey that has brought them here. Dreams in Motion reminds us all that with dedication and belief, every dream is within reach.

In collaboration with ProEnglish Theatre Kyiv and WEST – World of English Speaking Theatres, Marie Hahne brings the international Solo Play Day Monodrama Festival to Cape Town in the form of a creative workshop.

How do we gain access to a theatrical piece? How do we speak from a perspective different from our own?

In this workshop, we explore the world of monodrama and investigate new ways of approaching and embodying contemporary monologues. Working with exclusive texts by acclaimed Ukrainian playwrights Nina Zakhozhenko and Neda Nezhdana, we will delve into questions of voice, memory, and identity, examining how personal, political and social narratives intersect on stage.

Through practical exercises and discussion, we will explore how to translate experience into performance – how to inhabit someone else’s story or trauma without appropriation, and how theatre can serve as a powerful access point to shared experience.

At the end of the workshop, we will open the doors of The Masque Theatre for a public presentation and discussion, offering insight into the creative process and the discoveries made along the way. The outcomes will also be shared with the international audience through the Solo Play Day platform, connecting local exploration with global exchange.

For questions or inquiries, please contact mhahne1907@gmail.com

Photography:  Gordon Evans

Are you ready for some more fairytale magic from The Masque? This year, we're adding some spice to The Princess and the Pea!

Join us as we discover that the recipe for a true hero is a pinch of bravery, a dash of honour, a swig of dry humour and a teaspoon of something special. Princess Anika will need to learn the true meaning of how to be a just ruler, young Eli must figure out to how to stand up for himself and dear Stefan must realise that he's more than just his looks. Oh, and Pepper - the vivacious chef - is going to teach everyone how to rip up the recipe of life!

For this year's fairytale, we're adding plenty of local flavour with music from Freshly Ground, Jesse and Johnny Clegg, and Shekhinah. There's also a sprinkling of Shakira (you know which song we're talking about), Adam Lambert, Meghan Trainor and a bit of Disney thrown in to give something for everyone's tastebuds.

Join us as we stir things up and turn another classic fairytale on its head. This hearty show has got it all - singing, dancing, jokes and classic characters - something for everyone to slurp up and enjoy! Bring the kids and granny and grandpa to a matinee and experience the wonder of a fairy parade after the show, or gather your friends for a great night out filled with laughter. Whatever you choose - magic and fun are definitely on the menu!

Written and directed by Savannah Steyn

Musical direction by Lara Basson

Produced by Faeron Wheeler

For December's play reading, we're delving into Standing Ovation at the Tachiagaru by Coleen van Staden.

The evening will include a table read of the play by actors, followed by a discussion of the work. The discussion will be led by Melanie O'Connor Horn and a panel of experts. Input from the audience is most welcome!

About the play

In our digital world, true crime enthralls millions, breeding cyber sleuths, couch detectives, and podcasters. This is the story of one such podcaster, Sam, who revels in the drama of his latest tale: a  bizarre murder at a stand-only bar in a Tokyo street.

Sam's podcast is "theatre of the mind," where the chilling narrative comes alive. You won't just hear the story; you'll see it, smell it, and feel it exactly as HE does. It's Kabuki meets Film Noir meets Soap Opera, where life might end up imitating art.

More about the writer, Coleen van Staden

Coleen fell in love with the stage as a child when she did ballet for 6 years and then performed in outdoor concerts on Sea Point Beach front.  She started a drama club in junior school called Clique Playhouse and ran improv sessions every break time. Coleen has performed  in lots of comedy, drama, and musical theatre productions, before moving on to directing and writing shows for the stage. In 2016, she formed Circle Productions  NPC with theatre bestie, Celia Musikanth. During lockdown, Coleen was part of an online group called Globesoup.net, where she enjoyed the challenge of word counts and themes.  This particular play is adapted from a short story she wrote for a competition in 2020.

Ryken Projects Presents: Teen Beach Production

Get ready to surf into summer with Teen Beach Production — a vibrant, musical stage experience brought to life by Ryken Projects!

When Max, a bold and adventurous surfer, and her upbeat boyfriend Brody are mysteriously transported into a 1960s-style beach movie, they’re thrown into a world of high-energy dance battles, colourful characters, and classic surfer-biker rivalry. But when unexpected villains — the cunning Lance Shore and the eccentric Dr. Atomix — threaten to destroy the fun, the surfers and bikers must join forces to save their world before the tide runs out.

Filled with catchy tunes, energetic choreography, and unforgettable performances, Teen Beach Production is a wave of laughter, excitement, and heart.

Whether you’re Team Biker or Team Surfer, grab your tickets now and join us at The Masque Theatre for a show that will leave you singing, dancing, and smiling all the way home! 

For January's play reading, we're delving into Your Perfect Life by Faeron Wheeler and Erika Breytenbach.

The evening will include a table read of the play by actors, followed by a discussion of the work. The discussion will be led by the host for the evening and a panel of experts. Input from the audience is most welcome!

About the play

A woman should have it all – a career and a family! But what if you don’t? Karlien and Caitlyn are at their 20-year reunion, bracing for the “What have you been up to?” questions. One has the family, the other the career. Neither is sure they have what they want.

More about the writers

Faeron Wheeler

Faeron has been involved in theatre and the stage since she was only three years old. She studied drama and dancing throughout her school years. She then went on to do a BA with a double major in Screenwriting and English before earning her Honours in Film Production from the University of Cape Town. In 2017, Faeron founded F Creations and has toured several productions across South Africa, winning 3 Standard Bank Ovation Awards at the National Arts Festival. She is also currently Head of Programming for The Masque.

Erika Breytenbach

Erika studied drama at the University of Pretoria and originally focused on educational theatre and puppeteering, with a special focus on disadvantaged communities. She has also spent several years teaching drama. Her theatre credits include The Wisdom of Eve, Inspector Drake and The Black Widow, The House Guest, Sunshine Boys, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Unlikely Secret Agent, The Good Dad / Goeie Pa and I Can Buy Myself Flowers. Her production company, Unlikely Productions, has seen her and her productions garner numerous Fleur du Cap nominations and one win.

Flights, Felines & Holy Frights written and performed by Judith Herbig

Directed by Beryl Eichenberger

Flights, Felines & Holy Frights is a hilarious and sharply observant one-woman show chronicling a solo European journey gone gloriously wrong. At 63, Judith sets out on her long-awaited dream trip across Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, and Köln—armed with overstuffed luggage, fragile optimism, and questionable Google Maps skills.

But instead of postcard moments, she finds holy statues in toilets, peeing cats, rooms the size of cupboards, aggressive street scammers, annoyed Uber drivers, and suspicious bananas. As she battles language barriers, physical limits, and absurd surprises, her inner monologue collides with reality in a riot of mismatched expectations.

Blending physical comedy, character impressions, song clips and photos, and storytelling, the show offers a laugh-out-loud meditation on travel, aging, independence, and the resilience it takes to keep dragging your suitcase forward—even when you’re lost, exhausted, and a swan is trying to steal your ice cream.

Pack your bags — and come laugh at her ridiculous mistakes!

Join Maestro Dr Mark Jennings for an enthralling afternoon of virtuoso guitar classics.  This acclaimed guitarist has won the hearts and minds of audiences for many years across the UK and overseas.  Known for his brilliant technique, stunning sounds and musicality, Mark will transport us to serene and dynamic and beautifully exotic musical landscapes, treating us to some of the masterpieces of Rodrigo, Albeniz, J. S. Bach, Tarrega  and others.  

http://markjenningsmusic.com/

‘A maestro of the guitar, a real treat to hear and appreciated by all.’  The Herald, SA.

“Lovely sound and such a natural sense of musicality …”  Craig Ogden (Royal Northern College of Music)

“Exquisite—bravo.”  Colin Cooper

(Guitar Magazine)