Solo plays are a singular delight

itics. Politicians can destroy the individual – and humanity. That’s always there.”

The play won four 2011 kykNET Fiëstas – best actress, production, design, and best solo show.

Graham Weir’s Dead Yellow Sands is on in the Golden Arrow Studio from October 31 to November 26.

After premiering at Alexander Upstairs, last April, the play nabbed Fleur du Cap Awards for best performance in a one person show and best lighting design. More acclaim followed with sold out performances on the main programme of this year’s National Arts Festival and rave reviews.

Written and performed by Weir, it is directed by Bo Petersen. It’s a compendium of stories – inspired by people and places that Weir has interacted with in his life. It’s like watching a series of paintings by Rembrandt, Leonardo or Vermeer come to life– with shadows and light shrouding and revealing Weir as story teller. The first story is set in Benoni where Weir grew up. Moving from childhood, he moves into “early adulthood and beyond”.

“In some ways the action of the play covers the seven ages of man as described by Shakespeare’s melancholy Jacques,” said Weir.

“Each character is a small spark of light that glows for a short moment in time and fades into the darkness once more and it is the bravery and resilience with which each character accepts this fading of the light, and the kindness that they experience from others at the time of this fading, that is the core of Dead Yellow Sands.”

Die Ontelbare 48 ( The Countless 48) is at the Flipside from Monday to Saturday.

Fiësta and Standard Bank Ovation-winner Wessel Pretorius performs and is in the directors seat of this “satirical drama” which is set in in a school hall in a rural town. The Sound of Music is being screened, but a murderer in the audience has his own ideas.

Tickets for As Die Broek Pas and Die Ontelbare 48 range from R80-R120, with a discounted price of R150 for patrons who attend both productions. The discounted R150 ticket is available only at the Baxter’s box office. Tickets for Dead Yellow Sands are R90-R110. Book for all the shows at Computicket