Muizenberg's Bizo Maxegwana, David Muller, and Fred Abrahamse present two compelling one-man shows at The Baxter

Three theatre-makers from Muizenberg are behind two one-man productions opening at The Baxter Masambe Theatre this July.

Fred Abrahamse, David Muller and Bizo Maxegwana have collaborated on Blood & Silver and Adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman, both of which will have their premieres at The Baxter.

Blood & Silver, adapted from the memoir of environmental lawyer Jan Glazewski, runs from Tuesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 12.

It is directed by Mr Abrahamse and performed by Mr Muller.

The story follows Glazewski’s journey to fulfil a promise to his late father by locating a family treasure buried in a Polish forest before World War II.

“Adapting Blood and Silver for the stage has been both a challenge and a privilege,” said Mr Abrahamse.

“Theatrical adaptation always walks a fine line: staying faithful to the spirit of the original while embracing the creative freedom that theatre allows. Condensing an entire book into a 90-minute, one-person show meant making tough decisions, but we aimed to retain the emotional heart of Jan’s story."

Mr Muller described the process as “creatively tough fun” and said more than ten drafts were written before reaching the final version.

“To be the protagonist of someone who is still alive is a daunting, humbling task,” he said.

“Never before have I felt so deeply about the material as what we found in Blood and Silver."

The second production, Adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman, runs from Tuesday, July 15 to  Saturday, July 19 and stars Mr Maxegwana as Thabo Kani, a parliament secretary whose dream of becoming South Africa’s next leader spirals into delusion.

Mr Muller co-created and directed the adaptation.

“Last year I asked Bizo if he would like to be on stage and this is the result,” said Mr Muller.

“He has a great presence and confidence that will bode well in his theatrical career and has done an excellent job in bringing the writer’s work closer to home, right to our doorstep here in our beloved mother city.”

Mr Maxegwana said the experience of adapting Gogol’s 1835 short story into a South African context was both joyful and challenging.

“I love stories which are raw and South African, which is the main reason we chose to adapt Diary of a Madman into a South African story,” he said.

“It’s been a privilege to be given the opportunity to write this script. I didn’t want to ruin the core theme of the original piece, which is the identity of one’s self.”

Mr Abrahamse said Blood & Silver would resonate with South African audiences because it speaks to universal themes of identity, belonging and legacy.

“Jan’s life—marked by illness, displacement, resilience, and ultimately triumph—is interwoven with South Africa’s complex and turbulent history,” he said. “In a country where so many people are still reconnecting with lost heritage, this story will find deep echoes.”

Mr Muller said the play shows how one person can stay the distance.

“Jan Glazewski never gives up, regardless of the numerous challenges placed in his path,” he said.

On Diary of a Madman, Mr Muller said it reflects the lived experiences of many rural South Africans who move to big cities in search of a better life.

“Bizo takes his audience deep into the psyche of such a man who has done just that,” he said.

Mr Maxegwana added that the play highlights issues currently affecting the country.

“This piece highlights issues of mental health, corruption and a sense of belonging—things which affect our country at this very moment,” he said.

“We live in a country where we are told there are many opportunities, but we have a high rate of unemployment. The protagonist is caught in that lie and tries to find his way out.”

All three creatives hope audiences will walk away feeling seen and inspired.

“At its core, Blood and Silver is about the power of personal quests,” said Mr Abrahamse.

“Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, perseverance can lead to peace and understanding.”

Mr Muller said he hopes the audience will go home with “a great South African story” and feel strengthened by the resilience shown in both productions.

Mr Maxegwana said he hopes audiences come to understand Thabo Kani’s story on a human level.

“He’s just a person like everyone. All he wants is to be appreciated and seen… Don’t forget to tell your loved ones you love and appreciate them. A simple good morning could mean the whole world to someone going through difficulties.”

Blood & Silver performances run from Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with additional shows on Tuesday at 10am, and Thursday and Saturday at 3pm. Tickets cost between R140 and R180, with concessions available. Bookings can be made via Webtickets.

Adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 3pm. Tickets also range from R140 to R180 and are available through Webtickets.