Scene It: 'Die Ontelbare 48', great Afrikaans satire!

Some amazing Afrikaans theatre productions are currently taking over the Baxter Theatre, one which includes the brilliant Die Ontelbare 48 by and starring the award-winning Wessel Pretorius. This show takes a micro look at the lives, loves and traumas of four protagonists who find themselves 'trapped' by small town mentality, with their only escape movie nights at the local church.

With 'The Sound of Music' as the backdrop and soundtrack to this cleverly constructed one man play, this tragicomedy links the four protagonists (a small ballerina, a young thespian, a retired actor, and mom of 5) as their realities unravel. One would not think that great character development could be found in a play that introduces four characters (along with their 'side-kicks') in but one hour. But you find depth here indeed, and it is particularly true of the retired actor persona. You find you get sucked into and invested in all of their lives... well knowing that a murderer lurks; their fates all but sealed. Well, sealed for all but one. However, in a way the end of the three also signifies the end of normal life for the one.

Die Ontelbare 48 plays hide and seek with your emotions, and challenges your perception of reality as any good satire should. It is witty, intelligent and creative. The text, minimalistic set design, lighting and the phenomenal acting all come together perfectly to bring a new dimension to the lyrical depth and meaning of the sound of 'music'.

A must for your theatre diary, catch Die Ontelbare 48 at the Baxter Theatre until 29 October 2016. Bookings at Computicket.