In 2015 the Advanced Actors Academy began and the two plays have actors, writers, directors and producers who partook in the academy’s training course. This evening of ORIGINALS was initiated by Steven Feinstein as a vehicle to further develop and extend new skills in directing, producing and writing for the stage. Feinstein has mentored each production but allowed the development of the stories to be owned by the individuals, encouraging the collaborative and organic process that theatre-making can and should be.We have a voice as South African artists and the Originals has been created to give platform to those voices, an opportunity for production teams to learn new and necessary skills pertaining to our industry and to introduce audiences to another generation of artists who have something to say. The following plays will be staged for the first time:

Same Same But Different

Written by Michaella Russell & Directed by Campbell Meas

Nothing in life is free, one of those nagging truths, yet every rule has a loophole. Imagine if we found it. Dive into a dystopian world and explore a South Africa not so far removed from the one we know today and even, sadly, the one we've known in the past. Get consumed by this gripping thriller where money isn’t the only currency and marks don’t always count. We invite you to glimpse tomorrow’s South Africa, where education is finally free but understanding costs. 

Dichotomy

Written by Yeshua Moraka & Directed by Christine Van Hees and Natasha Farber

Millennials, love and the internet. What could possibly go wrong?

When four university students discover that they’ve unknowingly been entangled in a love quadrilateral, their respective friendships are put to the test and they must set aside their differences in an attempt to make sense of it all. The outcome is an amalgamation of hilarious moments of hysteria.

ORIGINALS runs for approximately 2hrs including an interval.

Audience Responses

I rate it 5/5. Well executed and relevant to today's society. I can't wait for the next material. Thank you

Brilliant. When is the next one?

Really enjoyed the comedic piece. With the first play I think it was just an off day for the piece - it was really hard to connect with the story and some of the characters and the direction just needed to be slightly stronger and more imaginative for the time and setting of the story . The second one really lifted the air in so many ways and was such a great laugh as so well directed and just brilliantly cast. The entire audience thoroughly enjoyed that one and gave it a standing ovation.

The 1st play (Same Same But Different) had too huge and intense a storyline and plot than could be covered within the time limits. I was confused about the "system" in the play, and needed a lot of explaining after the play ended. The 2nd play I found truly enjoyable. It was relatable, and I understood the plot without being needing ALL the details. The acting seemed very easy, flowy and almost on the surface but highlighting deeper themes.

I thought the play was absolutely spectacular! I'm not show if "Originals" encompasses both plays but I think that the two shows complemented each other very well and were both written and acted out exceptionally.

A 5 rating. I like the intimate theatre in relation to big theatres. The atmosphere was great and would go again.

Generally, we have loved nearly everything we have seen at POPArt, but have to say we both thought this was the worst thing we have seen for a very long time; we both kept our eyes shut for quite a lot of it, as we couldn't bear to watch. Please don't tell them what we thought, as I know they are learning their craft, but you did ask. This is only about the first play, by the way, as we had to go home and lie down, so the second one may well have been wonderful. Anyway, this will be our last show at your wonderful theatre, as we are very soon on our way back to England, so thank you for everything. Chris and Val

I loved the whole performance, it was really amazing.

Loved the 2nd play. That was entertaining. The 1st one...I'm not sure. Couldn't follow and the end was abrupt. The second play was awesome. There was chemistry, got my attention from beginning to end.

Same Same but Different was weak. Script was stupid. Difficult to go up from there. Jonathan needs to project. If I had not known that Dichotomy was a completely different play I would have left at interval. Dichotomy was brilliant. Great script. Timing immaculate. Nuanced and clever. Characters well developed. Good casting. Performances mostly strong. Very entertaining.

A captivating, fun and entertaining evening of theatre, I thoroughly enjoyed both performances!

Absolutely enjoyed the shows. Great artists delivered such stellar performances. I couldn't be happier. Would be great to see them again.