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The South African
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
The quiet hurt of being different: MOFFIE comes home to SA
This September at The Baxter, MOFFIE returns home in a new one person stage production, an invitation to remember, reflect, and reckon with a part of our past that still lingers in many South African men today. As a director, I've always been drawn to stories that live below the shadows, that are missed. MOFFIE is one of those. At its core, it's the story of a young gay man conscripted into the South African army in the 1980s, a place where being different was dangerous and being gay could cost you everything. It's also a story about a pointless war that wasn't even a war, the so-called Angolan Border War, that swallowed up teenage boys and turned them into silent men. Behind it all was a system, state sanctioned, militarised, and brutal, designed to teach hatred. Hatred of self, of others, of anything that didn't conform. It shaped a generation, and many of us are still living with the consequences, whether as someone who served or someone who inherited the trauma from those who did. This new stage production, based on André Carl van der Merwe's novel and beautifully adapted by Philip Rademeyer, is not a staging of the film. It's an exploration of André Carl's book and the words he wrote, based on his diaries from his time in the army as a conscript. It's a deeply personal examination of that experience. Beloved and award-winning actor David Viviers steps into the role of Nicholas, a young gay conscript whose story unfolds over one hour of memory, reflection, and reckoning. My hope is that this story will offer audiences a space to reflect, to sit with discomfort, to find recognition. Maybe even a chance to release. Award-winning actor David Viviers steps into the role of Nicholas. Image: Supplied Many of us know men who went into the army as teenagers and came out changed, some in ways they've never spoken about. Some of those men are still here. Some of them never made it home at all. The brutality of the apartheid system didn't end with the border war or with South Africa's hard won democracy. It seeped into families, relationships, and entire communities. And for queer South Africans, the cost was even higher, rejection, erasure, and the constant threat of violence. MOFFIE doesn't offer neat conclusions. It's not about blame or redemption. It's about bearing witness, about asking what it means to survive something you were never meant to talk about, and driving home the message that these men trying to mould us into something we're not, they must not be able to touch us. This piece has just come off a critically acclaimed five star premiere season in London, where audiences, many of whom knew little about South African conscription, and some who went through it, were floored by the emotional impact of Nicholas's story. But it's here, at home, that this work truly belongs. We've attempted to build something that's intimate, stripped back, and raw. Niall Griffin's design cradles the performance in light and shadow. Charl Johan Lingenfelder's sound design immerses the audience in the sounds of the SADF in the 80s, an experience he personally lived through. This isn't about spectacle. It's about feeling something deeply. I don't know what MOFFIE will mean to you. Maybe it will remind you of someone you love. Maybe it will stir something you've kept locked away. Maybe it will just open a door to empathy. That's enough. That's everything. Join us for this powerful and timely production. MOFFIE is presented by the Common Humanity Arts Trust in association with The Baxter Theatre and runs from: 2 – 27 September 2025 at the Baxter Flipside Theatre in Cape Town, with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at 19:30, and matinees on Wednesdays at 15:00 and Saturdays at 15:30. Tickets range from R150 to R240 Book now at: The Baxter This article was written by: Greg Karvellas, a South African theatre director and producer. His work focuses on bold, emotionally driven storytelling, often exploring identity, memory, and belonging. He is the former Artistic Director of The Fugard Theatre and currently works across South Africa and Europe developing new stage productions.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Moffie: a powerful drama making its South African debut at The Baxter Theatre
David Viviers in Moffie which will be presented at The Baxter Flipside from 2 to 27 September Image: The Baxter Following its critically acclaimed run in London, the powerful drama Moffie is set to make its South African debut at The Baxter Theatre's Flipside, running from 2 to 27 September 2025. The production, presented by The Common Humanity Arts Trust in association with The Baxter, promises to deliver a poignant exploration of love, survival, and identity during the apartheid era. Based on the compelling novel by André Carl van der Merwe, Moffie has been expertly adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Philip Rademeyer, with direction and production led by Greg Karvellas, known for works like Dear Evan Hansen. The compelling narrative follows Nicholas van der Swart, a closeted conscript, as he grapples with societal expectations and his quest for self-identity amidst the oppressive backdrop of South Africa's 1980s border war. Esteemed actor David Viviers takes on the lead role, bringing to life Nicholas's harrowing journey with his rich and emotionally charged performance. "It is a huge honour and responsibility to bring Nicholas' journey to the South African stage," Viviers remarked. "Moffie holds up a mirror to our past in a way that is honest, relentless, and beautifully fragile." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ David Viviers Image: The Baxter Receiving rave reviews in London, with nominations for four Off West End Awards, critics have praised Moffie as a 'gripping one-man show' and a 'stunning' theatrical experience, solidifying its impact on audiences before it reaches home soil. The Guardian awarded it a notable five-star rating for its unflinching portrayal of a soldier's torment, while The Stage echoed similar sentiments, heralding it as a 'first-class' production. Lara Foot, CEO and Artistic Director of The Baxter, expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the production, stating, "We are delighted and honoured to present Moffie at The Baxter. It's a powerful, deeply affecting piece that speaks to our shared history and resonates profoundly with contemporary audiences.' The production is marked by its stark and stripped-down set, designed by Niall Griffin, with sound by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder enhancing the immersive experience. Director Greg Karvellas describes the one-man show as an intense exploration of a young soldier's internal battle. 'Every moment is charged with emotion,' he said, inviting audiences into a gripping solo performance that starkly illustrates the pain and beauty of one young man's survival. Set against the oppressive backdrop of 1979 apartheid, Nicholas's story is not just one of personal survival but a reflection on the toxic masculinity and trauma that shaped and scarred a nation. As South Africans grapple with the legacy of this past, Moffie serves as a cultural landmark, inviting audiences to engage with the realities of their shared history. The production runs for a limited season, with performances at 19:30 and Saturday matinees at 15:30. There will also be a special Wednesday matinee performance at 15:00 beginning 10 September, offering discounted tickets for seniors and students. Ticket prices range from R150 to R240, and advanced bookings can be made via Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores. As Moffie prepares to take the Baxter stage, audiences are urged to witness this extraordinary theatrical event that promises to be both entertaining and enlightening—a homecoming for a story that has long lingered in the shadows.
