Show Archive

Join us on 30 August at 2pm as the Jozi House of Poets create a beautiful space of connection online - while we are still apart.Join some of Johannesburg's most celebrated poets for a connected Sunday afternoon. Poets include : Makhosazana Xaba, Quaz Roodt, Fumane Nthlabane, Sarah Godsell, Vangi Gantsho, Belita Andre, Maren Bodenstein, Jolyn Phillips, Mfuno Nthlabane, Jarred Thompson, Afurakan and Qhakaza Mthembu. Hosted by Phillippa Yaa De Villiers.  Our audience guest of

Fresh from The National Arts Festival, Two of Cape Town’s renowned comedians (Westley Cockrell and Stuart Cairns) have taken a new twist on comedy, where two whimsical characters take you on an explorative journey to becoming standup comedians. Hilarious, explorative, energetic. Those are just some of the words used (by critics) to describe Cairns’ and Cockrell’s The Plot Hole directed

The play is about four friends Obi, Jimmy, Palesa and Lillian who together grapple with issues of identity, school, distanced parents and their desire to see the completion of the street in which they live, Amandla street.In their transition years, playing becomes an experience they need, but also feel detached from. A neighbourhood watchman presents a challenge that leaves them

How do you rehearse for something that is supposed to be made up on the spot? Well… Since we've been getting such an overwhelming response and curiosity about the craft of improv, once a month we invite all the keen beans in to observe our Monday night sessions... It's not a show... It's a space for interested people to come and see what happens at an

Our Virtual Stage is yours... for one night only. Calling all live performers : musicians, actors, comics, beatboxers, poets, dancers... we want you to show us something brand new on our virtual stage. (under 5 mins please). All you need to do, is book your slot by emailing popartjhb@gmail.com (this is essential as we may not be able to accommodate performers

Frizz Pop is a comedy duo made up of Kate Pinchuck and Lindy Johnson, two rising stars of the South African comedy industry. Their fresh and funny take on millennial living will have you laughing your literal tits off  and offering to pay their rent.After running a successful women-only line up show at the Raptor Room in Cape Town, Lindy

It's POPArt's 5th birthday, which means that we celebrate it exactly the way we started the theatre 5 years ago: with the 24 Hour play festival. 6 writers, 6 actors and 24 actors get 24 hours to make 6 all new 10 min plays. We may throw in a twist this year too... It's MADNESS. IT's MAYHEM. And it's always a blast!Because

"cause, that’s what we’re working hard for, ranking in credit worth, and I am worth a lot, even after deductions” Set in the dungeon that is the office of a woman working a nine to five, this play explores the challenges that workers go through; debt, long working hours and the loss of their dreams, identities and time. It looks into the

Jittery Citizens brings sharp-as-a-tack, improvisational comedy to South African stages. The fearless troupe have performed hilarious off-the-cuff comedy to sold out audiences across the country. Jittery Citizens are guaranteed to invoke spontaneous laughter from even the most serious audiences. You won't want to miss this never to be seen again, comedy show. It's now or never!One night only.

Join us for our POPArt Performing Arts Centre July Skills workshop series with Patricia Boyer (Lockdown/ Soap on a Rope). Two workshops this July at POPArt : 8 July from 12:30pm- 4:30pm : Script, Chracter and process workshop 22 July from 12:30pm - 4:30pm : Camera technique workshop Book for one workshop at R400. Both workshops at R 750. Booking

ON FLEEK: The Official Launch featuring Headliner : Mikhale Jones. Other artists TBC

Three actors transform a small space and a ladder into a myriad of imagined worlds. Using physical theatre and clowning they tell the stories of fire fighters working in the city of Johannesburg. Fire House is a devised offering, a social X-ray of the stories of three civil servants fighting fires against a backdrop of political instability and fires that

An irreverent look at history through the eyes of a self proclaimed historian Mojak Lehoko (with a PHD in anthropology from Trump university). A comedic journey through the ages with the mention of the odd fact. From genesis to Nkalakatha. You don't want to miss it. "You don't know where you're going until you know where you've been. Unless you a

DRAG : The Judgement Day is a new dance exploration from Thenjiwe Soxokoshe and Nomasonto RadebeImpurities of our lives are known by our secret deeds. Roller-coaster of emotions fluctuates like currency going up and down. Chaos inside while the facets plays a good role on the out side. The joy of my heart it's understood by connection, energy and feeling. Thoughts

If history could be written from the eyes of nature, could it be written the same as human perspective? But history is written by mankind which brings questions about the genuineness of the reality observed or the truth might be subjective to ones perspective?That is the question interrogated through heightened physicality and visuals as a style of delivery, while the

A travelling Aquarium. The night before Christmas. To the strains of Boney M a luckless magician, his disenchanted sister and their trained cat take family magic to the next level.Aquarium is a comedy (with some magic) performed by Ryan Dittmann (Stranger Things, Lake) and Rachael Neary (Actress & Girl, Father, Father. Father!) , directed by Frances Slabolepszy (Whistle Stop) and

What happens when you put two masters of their craft under the same roof? Come witness the two Kings of Eastern Cape Comedy, Siya Seya and Mbulelo "Mbu" Manylaughs, to see what happens. This night of rib cracking laughter and political incorrectness will be hosted by Thulani Ntlabati (The half in TWO AND A HALF KINGS).

We are proud to be able to present a panel discussion between 3 of this years Schools Set Work playwrights: Mike Van Graan (Green Man Flashing), Neil Coppen (Abnormal Loads) and Jane Taylor (Ubu and the Truth Commission). The discussion will be broadcast on a secure online platform, facilitated by the wonderful Kirsten Harris. The panel will offer direct insight from 3 great playwrights

POPArt is thrilled to announce our first ever International residency collaboration!Developed in collaboration with the Market Theatre Laboratory Alumni Company, Kwasha! and Christopher D Betts (recipient of the Julie Taymor World Theatre Fellowship at New York University) throughout April, this will be a one of a kind adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” with input from an African

The Train can be viewed as an Absurd Theatre Drama with a primary focus revolving around power-play between three male figures, due to their differences in age. Despite the desperation as well as frustrating need to arrive at their final destinations, the characters baffle to understand how time works. Each character experiences a deeper sense of confusion by trying to

An experimental virtual take on making theatre or virtual storytelling in a mentored and collaborative platform, in the comfort of their own homes during them original 21Day National Lockdown.Borrowing from our most loved 24 Hours in the City format, POPArt is providing a digital platform / holding space for making cute experimental digital stories at a far more relaxed space

Join us for an excellent weekend of kitschy Love & Improv!A mix of evenings of short form games, battles and the returns of the first and only's long form improv!Players include :Toni Morkel * Phillippa Yaa De Villiers * Eduardo Cachucho * Avril Cummins * Dintshitile Mashile * James Cairns * Heather Van Niekerk * Ncumisa McNdimeni * Lisa Derryn

Hillbrow Theatre's latest devised work is directed by the skilful Gcebile Dlamini, choreographed by Sibusiso Hadebe with Paul Noko as the dramaturge.In My Mother's Womb is an evocative story of resilience, spirituality and hope. The play offers an intimate look into what it is like to live with blindness. Drawing from personal stories of the inter-generational cast of youngsters and

PopArt Theatre & Godfrey Johnson Productions join forces on November 19 2016, in a workshop tailored to amplify opportunities for professional actors, performers and singers, and advanced students entering the profession. Award winner Godfrey Johnson is your trainer for the day. Actor, musician, composer, the power of his professional success and sought-after training & directing skills (UCT/Pieter-Dirk Uys/Pieter Toerien) deliver

This month, in celebration of womxn, POPArt and the Perils of Patriarchy (two POPs) team up to present a reading and discussion with authors from the Perils of Patriarchy publication. Don't miss this special event. It's free on Facebook live. As always, donations to the platform are welcome : https://linktr.ee/popartjhb---The Perils of Patriarchy is a book series that seeks to shed

Comedian Nkosinathi Maki in his one man show GLUTEN FREE To bread or not to bread… that is the question

In 2016, two South African afro-future gender and genre-bending avant-garde acts Umlilo and STASH CREW came together for a queergalactic collaboration. They fused live electronic future kwaai music with political insight, hip hop, kwaito, dance and queer pop sensibilities.Umlilo and Stash Crew said: "This tour was created to combat  misrepresentation and to engage with the greater community around the queer experience

When the parents of Nomcoba passed away in a tragic way after being struck by a bolt of lightning during a ritual to appease the ancestors, she was left with no one. Now and again, she will experience the touch from the ancestral realm. This is her journey as she tries to find friendship in a world where everyone is consumed

A physical theatre piece, confronting and provoking a monster at the throat of the South African youth today: a virus like drug that affects one in every 14 people, the killer drug that has come to be the worst obstacle to face mankind dismantling relationships of all kinds. The play tackles the growing problem of drug abuse in our country. The story of young

Set in a non-specific maximum security prison, The Antidote investigates the high level and impact of crime in South Africa. The audience is challenged to consider the true nature of the prison system and who it really serves- are they becoming mafia havens or places of reform? Through the journey of The Antidote, questions of gangsterism, reformation exercises, the nature

Multiple award winning actress Patricia Boyer facilitates a 5 hour workshop for actors focusing performance for camera (Film/ Television). Performers will work with text and live camera in order to understand strengths and weaknesses in this media. Audition technique for camera will also be discussed. FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS WITH PATRICIA: "I would love more workshops like this!""Thank you so much for this magical and hands-on workshop.

"The Stash Crew's set is arguably the most uncomfortably amazing live performance you will see before the Sun gets morbidly obese and melts everything" The Sunday Times, 2014.The STΔSH Crew can be considered a performance art inspired electro rap crew based in Johannesburg South Africa. The crew undertakes a satirical approach to exploring South African identity, sexuality, class issues, rainbow

A mixed medium show performed by Lebohang Nyiko Shikwambane, Sanelisiwe Yekani, Mpoloken Chabane & Sisa Dube Featuring : Stand Up Poetry/ Theatre / Traditional Dance / Choreography  

Fire, capable of both disaster and cleansing, has proved to be the oppressed people’s weapon of choice during protest and has become characteristic of the South African struggle. A detained student leader uses fire to connect the trials of FeesMustFall with that of his father during the state of emergency.Flamebook premiered at the National Arts Festival and is a 2017

What happens when a man puts his mother, sugar mama and side chick under same roof? A night of rib cracking laughter.Join Thulani Ntlabati (Son), Khanyisa Bunu (Mother), Hilda Sista H (Sugar mama) and Noko Secondqueen Moswete as they discuss their family matters.

Are you curious about performance art? Play and public space? In the material and mechanics of performance work? Are you interested in artist to audience relationship in this work? Are you wanting to create and test out something new and get feedback? Or are you just wanting to meet some new folk and do something completely different in this fantastic

Back to The Roots serves as a reminder of our greatness as a people and as Africans. Join us on this beautiful journey on the 25th of September 2017 at Pop Art in Maboneng, as we pay homage to heritage through music, dance and poetry.In collaboration with SASAI Street Artist Initiative and Escalating Heights Spoken Word Sessions. SASAI is dedicated

Crazy Country is a comedy show which is written, directed and produced by Justin Ray. A show that consists of crazy personal experiences as well as crazy experiences we went through as a Country. 

You can’t make loveNewlyweds Frieda & Graham begin their honeymoon in the south of France with high hopes and deep ambitions, but when the time comes to consummate their marriage, they realise it’s going to take more than promises of love to make their relationship work. Set in the 1950s, SKIN is a poetically raw consideration of love, sex, and personal

The Down Second Avenue Poetry Sessions and Conversations: Spoken word Revival is a platform for emerging and existing voices to showcase some of the country’s finest poets and wordsmiths from different corners of the cities and communities. The aim of the sessions is to create value for the artform by promoting the business of African poetry and literature in mainstream

Who says ex-bouncers from Boksburg can’t do interpretive dance? When you break your face, you can do anything.Retired bouncer Brett has travelled from Jozi to Beijing and back again, on a journey which led to the creation of his new motivational system called…BREAK YOUR FACE™. Now he wants you to sign up. But before he changes your life, he might

 Join us this Tuesday for our first ever Read Aloud event. "MEIN CAMP: The Audacious Struggle of Le Clerq Goldberg" written by Tony Jackman. Read Aloud events give artists & writers the opportunity to share work in development. Read Aloud by professional artists. Come and engage and add your voice, opinions, thoughts to new work… 

**Featuring up-and-comer Thabiso Mhlongo, who recently won the hotly contested Newcomer of the Year at the Savanna Comics Choice Awards 2017**Fresh of the Swaziland International Comedy Show, this year’s Savanna Newcomer of the Year recipient Thabiso Mhlongo and The Evening Update Host bring you Trash Talk.Trash Talk explores the lampoonery and trashy things we put up with in everyday life and tackles

This allegory presents a world known as Ubukho-Ville; a not-so-fictional country which reflects an era of endangered women. It is covered with a dark cloud, cursed with marching men chanting their funeral hymns and burdened by the injustices cast upon the bodies of women. Its women unite in fury as they long for spirits of courage.  Two mystical goddesses, Nogwaja and

Stand-up 4 Comedy is the story of 4 young aspiring comedians, from diverse backgrounds, who embark on a journey in ‘making it’ in the entertainment industry and the arts. The show has successfully featured for 2 consecutive years (2014 & 2015) on the National Arts Festival Fringe in Grahamstown. In 2015 it was one of the best ensemble comedy shows at

Cape Town based Jack Mantis is back on home soil! Ahead of a three-month tour in South Africa this coming summer, Jack Mantis and Andre Geldenhuys are taking to the road this month for performances in Pretoria and Johannesburg before reuniting with the rest of the band in Europe.They then embark on a 40-date run with key shows in Zurich, Stuttgart,