The Multi-Award-Winning Afropocalypse Returns To The Market Theatre

Imaginative Play – “Afropocalypse” Returns to The Market Theatre Before Touring to Sweden

The multi-award-winning ensemble from The Market Theatre Laboratory is geared up for a return season of Afropocalypse at The Market Theatre, after setting the stage on fire with energetic performances in 2025 with their professional debut. The play will show from 7 – 23 May 2026 in the Mannie Manim Theatre, promising renewed energy and exciting storytelling that has proved to be a joy for audiences of all ages.

This electric and hugely imaginative production follows the journey of a group of storytellers in an apocalyptic setting as they share their fables of hope and resilience.

In 2026, Afropocalypse scored six Naledi Theatre Awards nominations, winning Best Ensemble.

At the 2025 National Arts Festival in Makhanda, the production won the Festival’s highest Fringe accolade: the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award.
Following its return run this Africa Month, the critically acclaimed production will head to Sweden for a showcase at the bibu biennial festival in May. The bibu biennial festival is renowned for being a cultural melting pot in Sweden’s arts scene, bringing together a careful selection of Swedish and international performances for young audiences.

Cherae Halley, Head of The Market Theatre Laboratory, says that Afropocalypse being one of only four international productions at this year’s festival, selected from nearly 600 applications, is a notable milestone that speaks to the excellence of the production and the institution behind it.

Halley remarks:

“The Market Theatre Laboratory continues to build its reputation as a leading incubator for the development of skilled theatre-makers, while also producing bold, cutting-edge work. This international recognition is a testament to our brand and legacy. For most of the cast, which is made up of 14 graduates from The Lab’s full-time two-year programme, this marks their first international debut, and I could not be more thrilled for this ensemble.”

Directed by Daniel Buckland, Afropocalypse was originally produced by The Market Theatre Laboratory as their student production in 2024, and has now grown into an award-winning professional production. The brilliantly entertaining work uses physical comedy and tragic magic realism to paint a vivid and vibrant picture of the past, present and speculative future. The stories they tell are inspired by a myriad of South African voices, from Credo Mutwa to Jan Rabie, to our shared collection of modern South African myths and fables, all interwoven in a comical tapestry of catastrophe and release.

Director Daniel Buckland says:

“This is a mischievous and vibrant look at South African society through the lens of all the weird and wonderful ways it could come to an end. The show uses dynamic and joyous ensemble storytelling, with bucket loads of physical comedy, puppetry and storytelling, to paint a vivid picture of the fallibility of humankind, as well as the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. The story leans into joy and tragedy. The idea of an apocalypse is a dark subject matter and framing, the story itself is not only about that. It’s a fun, silly platform to poke fun at contemporary society and take all the delicate bits of South Africa and satirise them.”

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, adds:

“This is a show young and old should look forward to watching. Its youthful energy combined with imaginative storytelling make for an entertaining tonic best enjoyed with loved ones and in groups. It’s a wonderful work, with an impressive balance of dark moments mixed in with pure joy, hope, and theatricality.”

Don’t miss this imaginative play as it returns for an unmissable set of performances before its international tour. By attending the production, you will also be helping this formidable ensemble with the costs of taking the show to other parts of the world.

Show Information:
Afropocalypse

Venue:
Mannie Manim at The Market Theatre

Dates & Times:
7 – 23 May 2026
Wednesday – Friday at 19h00
Saturday at 15h00 & 19h00
Sunday at 15h00

Tickets:
Priced from R110 – R220

Bookings:
Can be made through Webtickets

Age Restriction:
All ages

Duration:
TBC