Joburg theatre this week: emotional journeys in 'Fatherhood', 'Sarajevo' and the hilarious chaos of 'Noises Off'

After a very successful run at the Zwakala Festival, “Fatherhood” has made its way to the Market Theatre. 

Performed by a youthful cast, it explores the collective crisis of absent fathers.

Written by Mike Dzova and directed by Archie Oupa Matsetela, under the mentorship of award-winning playwright and director Ntshieng Mokgoro, this production shines a spotlight on the mothers who have had to fill the void of runaway fathers.

To provide some context, a 2024 report on the State of South African Fathers revealed that a mere 35.6% of South African children live with their biological fathers, and 24% reside in households with no male figure present.

Matsetela describes this production as “a work that is as much urgent as it is edgy, innovative in how it confronts the emotional impact of fatherlessness and intergenerational conflict on families”. 

He added: “The play follows the struggles of four boys, most of whom were raised by single mothers, who try to comprehend the void left by their absent fathers - and the fathers they thought they had. 

“The text comes from a place of childhood innocence, and is therefore carried out with brutal honesty, humour and emotiveness. As the friends reflect on growing up in broken homes, they hold a mirror for audiences to witness the emotional turmoil caused by fatherlessness.”

Where: Barney Simon Theatre.

When: October 9 to 19, 7pm.

Sarajevo

Written by Aimèe Mica Komorowsky and directed by Thorsten Wedekind, this is another poignant offering worth checking out. 

"Sarajevo" is a poignant tale set against the backdrop of war-torn former Yugoslavia. It follows three childhood friends - Mirela, Aleksander and Slobo - whose youthful bond is shattered by the ravages of war, conflicting ideologies and pervasive fear.

As their friendship unravels, a foreign journalist, Peter, enters their lives with a camera and a hunger for truth. 

Audiences are compelled to confront the meaning of observation, memory, and belonging, as his presence obscures the distinction between witness and participant.

“This story reminds us that those caught in conflict are rarely the ones who cause it. Identity is never simple, and history continues to shape the way we live, remember, and relate to one another. Though rooted in Balkan history, its themes are universal: identity, loyalty, betrayal, and the human longing to hold onto something that’s slipping away,” says Wedekind.

Where: Theatre on the Square. 

When: October 8 to 18, 7.30pm.

Noises Off

This play-within-a-play centres on a series of comedic mishaps and misunderstandings as a cast attempts to stage a farce with a mix of acting talent and only two weeks of rehearsals. 

Naturally, everything that can go wrong does, which makes it one of the funniest farces.

At the helm of the LAMTA cast performing are award-winning actors Aiden Scott and Natalie Robbie as they attempt to bring their cheesy bedroom comedy “Nothing on to Life” to the stage. 

What follows is an overwhelmed cast and crew, doors slamming, emotions spiralling, romantic entanglements unravelling and utter backstage chaos. 

Directed by Chris Weare, the costumes are designed by Frankie van Straten, while the set and lighting design is overseen by Kieran McGregor. 

Where: Pieter Toerien Montecasino Main Theatre.

When: Runs until October 12; the times differ.