Naledi Theatre Award-winning musical Actress has Western Cape premiere at The Drama Factory
Western Cape audiences are in for a treat with the local premiere of multiple award-winning musical Actress.
Actress is a tale that anyone who has ever had to adjust to new expectations in life – their own or someone else’s – will relate to. With eight original, fabulous show tunes, it’s time to pack your dancing shoes, Theraband, passport and tissues and head to The Drama Factory.
Performed by Talia Kodesh, who co-wrote this fresh musical dramady with Bruce Dennill, composer of the unique, powerful and punchy songs, Actress won the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical as well as a Broadway World South Africa Award for Best New Musical. The creative dream team, including Sarah Roberts (set and costume design) and Denis Hutchinson (lighting design), also has multiple Naledi, Fleur Du Cap and Vita Awards between them.
The production is directed by Daniel Geddes and features the intriguing, reserved but pivotal role of Random Props Guy, performed by Stephen van Niekerk.
Actress is a funny, moving story of a woman trying to define and succeed in the different parts she plays (actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher) while juggling the demands of all of those roles.
It charts a journey through stress and success, anger and auditions, triumph and tears, dance and delirium and, perhaps, the possibility of peace.
“Actors are fundamentally storytellers. I’ve simply loved doing just that throughout my career. How exhilarating it has been for me to star in a production that I have also created, and to sing Bruce’s original songs has been an extremely special experience for me– a long-held dream come true. I cannot wait for a whole new audience to meet Actress – I’m certain they will relate to her!” says Talia.
“Bruce’s incredible original songs range from quiet, thoughtful, introspective musings to big, ballsy, belted showstoppers. As with the story, we wanted the music to help define and give colour to the many moods and spaces in the show,” she adds.
Sue Diepeveen, founder of The Drama Factory, says:
“We can all relate to the challenge, mayhem, drama and comedy that juggling multiple roles can bring, especially when things don’t go as we expect them to. We are delighted to be hosting the Cape premiere of this brilliant production.”
Talia has performed in productions such as Beauty and the Beast (for which she received a Naledi Nomination), REWe Will Rock YouNT and , among numerous others. Bruce is an award-winning arts writer who is also a singer-songwriter, performing with Johannesburg-based bands Forrest and Phringe, Memo and The Van Dyke Parks Board and as a solo artist. His music is regularly included on radio playlists as well as soundtracks of TV shows including Isidingo, Going Nowhere Slowly and Sober Companion.
Make a staycation of a visit to The Drama Factory, booking in with one of their wonderful accommodation partners. Spend the night at The Views Guesthouse, 185 on Beach or Majorca House to enjoy the beauty and many other activities on offer in the surrounding Helderberg region. Visit the website for further details.
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Show Information:
Actress
Dates:
8 to 12 April 2026
Times:
8 April at 17h00
9, 10 & 11 April at 19h30
11 & 12 April at 15h00
12 April at 18h00
Ticket Prices:
From R190 – R220 (including VAT)
Discounts for students and seniors, with group booking discounts available
Seating is unreserved
Bookings:
Available online here
Duration:
75 minutes (no interval)
Age Restriction:
PG
The Drama Factory
Established in 2017, The Drama Factory has become renowned as a prime destination for patrons to enjoy quality entertainment across a range of genres in a relaxed and welcoming environment. As well as showcasing mainstream productions, The Drama Factory offers creatives a venue to workshop performances, providing an affordable space for artists to bring their creative ideas to life.
The Drama Factory hosts a number of training initiatives, including a theatre lighting training programme. Through its relationship with organisations such as the Anna Foundation and Masikhule, The Drama Factory enables opportunities for young theatre goers to attend performances and workshops, assisting to build audiences and artists for tomorrow.
Committed to providing a platform to nurture original South African theatre productions, The Drama Factory also co-produces new work, such as the What Did The Fox Say? series, which was sponsored by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
The Drama Factory is situated at 10 Comprop Sq, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, Western Cape. Parking is available at the venue.
