On the Boards

As Ever, Bessie: Written and directed by Bobbie Fitchen, this play provides insight into writer Bessie Head: her work, relationships and struggles with mental health. It is at the Arena programme, Glennie Hall: Tuesday (11am and 7.30pm); Wednesday (3pm, 8.30pm) and Thursday (3pm). It stars Denise Newman and Ntombi Makhutshi. Tickets are R65. Scorched: Jade Bowers, the 2016 Young Artist winner for theatre, is presenting Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad at the Rhodes Box Theatre on the Main on Friday (at 8pm); Saturday (at noon, 8pm) and Sunday (at noon, 8pm). Scorched follows the journey of twins through the war-torn Middle East as they excavate through the rubble of their mother’s journey and learn about their own roots. It is a play about the physical and emotional ravages of war and how it changes us and shapes us. Tickets are R75. Ruth First:117 Days: Jackie Rens stars in this drama, adapted by Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer from First’s 1995 book 117 Days. It is at The Hangar – today at 10am; tomorrow at 1pm; Monday at 7pm and Tuesday at 4pm. Tickets are R65. – Robyn Cohen Twitter: @TheCapeRobyn Book at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za