Two entertaining, thought-provoking plays at Drama Factory
Multiple award-winning writer Mike van Graan presents two new plays at The Drama Factory in February, including the world premiere of his latest production.
I can buy myself flowers is a comedy-drama that has its premiere run from Wednesday February 5 to Saturday February 15, featuring Best Actress nominee Erika Breytenbach.
From Friday February 28 to Sunday March 2, Cape Talk presenter, John Maytham, will perform To life, with love – hot off its run at Artscape and directed by Josh Lindberg.
Breytenbach was nominated for her performances in two productions that also premiered at The Drama Factory – The Unlikely Secret Agent and Die Goeie Pa.
She is directed in I can buy myself flowers by Toni Morkel, director of the award-winning Firefly starring theatre icons Sylvaine Strike and Andrew Buckland.
Taking its name from Miley Cyrus’ song that became an anthem for single women the world over, the performance features the character Natalie Jackson, an estate agent in her early fifties who reflects entertainingly – and sometimes, provocatively – on the ups and downs of relationships, parenting, professional life and friendships.
Old enough to be on their second or third marriages, young enough not to be blamed for apartheid and women enough for menopause, Natalie and her five friends – among them, a psychologist, a life coach and a lawyer – adopt Six-in-the-City as the name for their WhatsApp group.
John Maytham commissioned Van Graan to write him a play with a blank canvas regarding themes.
Inspired by Atul Gawande’s international bestseller, Being Mortal, he developed To Life, With Love, a poetic piece featuring the character, Thomas Michael Faulkner.
Thomas has known love, professional success, personal loss and social affirmation.
Then, in his sixties, Thomas has a life-changing encounter that encourages him to make choices about how he will live the many good years he believes he still has, in the most fulfilling way.
As part of the development of the script, the creative team hosted a few readings that were received generously by audiences with written comments such as ‘So many insights delivered in one sitting. A masterpiece...’ and ‘A play that all parents should see with their children to catalyse necessary but difficult conversations’.
“As an independent playwright and producer, I am delighted to be bringing two new works to Sue Diepeveen’s The Drama Factory. This is an important space in helping to launch and sustain independent theatre,” says Van Graan.
“Mike is an internationally acclaimed playwright and a national treasure. His plays are always entertaining and engaging. We are proud to be hosting the premiere of his latest play, as well as To Life, With Love,” says Diepeveen, founder of The Drama Factory.
With more than 40 plays under his belt, Mike van Graan has won numerous awards for his writing that deals with contemporary themes both in South Africa and across the globe.
Most recently, he won the Independent Theatre Award for Best Script for My fellow South Africans, which has toured the country for more than 15 months, while two of his plays continue to be prescribed by IEB Schools.
I can buy myself flowers will be performed on February 5, 6, 7,12, 13 and 14, at 7.30pm, and on February 8, 9 and 15, at 4pm.
To life, with love will be performed on Friday February 28, at 7.30pm, and on Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2, at 4pm.
Tickets for both shows cost R190, book at www.dramafactory.co.za