Directed by Lara Foot Newton
Scenography by Gerhard Marx
Starring Mncedisi Shabangu and Constance Didi
Co-presented by Lara Foot Newton and Maurice Podbrey

Motivated by the story of baby Tshepang and twenty thousand true stories. The town and its characters are fictional.

In 2001 South Africa was devastated by the news of a brutal rape of a nine-month-old child by the name of baby Tshepang. It was thought that she had been gang-raped by a group of six men. Later it was discovered that the men had been wrongly accused and that the infant had indeed been raped and sodomised by the boyfriend of the infant's mother. Once the story of baby Tshepang hit the headlines, the scab was torn off a festering wound, and hundreds of similar stories followed. Each story was equally horrific. "A five-month-old baby," "A two-year-old little girl," and so the list grew.

South Africa is clearly experiencing an epidemic of child rape. With statistics showing twenty thousand child rapes a year, one has to do something! Theatre is always a good place to start.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID:

"“If you only see one show this year, Tshepang demands to be the one ... superbly written and performed" - Sunday Independent

"a rich and rewarding theatrical experience ... stunning scenography ... I had to wipe away the tears before I could make any critical assessment" - Pretoria News

"This searing and compassionate, powerfully acted play ... is a committed act of remembrance" - The Stage, London

"The acting has a massive sculptural simplicity. That, and Gerhard Marx's set, with its toy village and basic props, suggests both the earthy vigour of Barney Simon's Market Theatre and the visionary realistic style of Peter Brook. This is a wonderful debut." - John Peter, The Sunday Times

"There's a richness and subtlety in Lara Foot Newton's script that has not been seen in South African new writing in recent years." - Jane Edwardes, Critics' Choice, Time Out, London

"Deeply moving" - **** John Thaxter, What's On, London

"a vivid portrait of a town cut off by poverty from its own heart ... a world where powerless people are trying slowly and painfully to take responsibility and learn to love again" - Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Dates and Times:
Opens on 20 January at 20:15
Thereafter Tuesday–Saturday at 20:15
Schools performances on 21, 22, 26, 27 and 28 January at 11:00

Prices:
Tuesday–Thursday R100
Friday–Saturday R110

Discounts: (Monday–Thursday only)
UCT staff, senior citizens, students and Baxter Club members R65
Special student discount on Fridays and Saturdays: 30 minutes before performance all available seats at R75 on production of valid student card at Baxter box office

School block bookings R30 – please contact Sharon Alexander on 021 680 3962.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Baxter box office hours: Monday – Saturday 09:00 to start of performances.
Credit Card Bookings: Telephone the Baxter box office, 021 680 3989 or 021 685 7880, during office hours, or Computicket call centre 083 915 8100, 011 340 8000 or 083 131 Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 20:00.

For block booking discounts phone the Baxter Sales Department at 021 680 3962 (subject to availability).

HOW TO FIND US

Directions from the N2

Take the N2 towards Cape Town.

As you are driving up towards the mountain, the road has 3 lanes, which divide, with the left-hand one going towards Muizenberg, and the other two towards Cape Town. Take the Muizenberg one.

Stay in the same lane. Pass the first exit (to Mowbray), with Mostert's Mill (an old windmill) next to it, and you will automatically be taken off at the next exit (Exit 7 to Rosebank and the University of Cape Town).

At the traffic lights, turn left into Woolsack Drive.

Before you get to the next traffic lights, at the Main Road, a bridge crosses Woolsack Drive. Peel off to the left before it and turn right over the bridge. The Baxter is the building on your left.

Directions from the N1

Take the N1 towards Cape Town.

At the Koeberg interchange, take the Muizenberg exit onto the M5.

Follow the M5 until you reach the exit for the N2 to Cape Town, and take this. Then follow the directions above.

Directions from the Southern Suburbs

Take the M3 towards Cape Town.

Just after you pass the University of Cape Town, take the exit to Woolsack Drive. Go straight through the traffic lights under the bridge.

Before you get to the next traffic lights, at the Main Road, a bridge crosses Woolsack Drive. Peel off to the left before it and turn right over the bridge. The Baxter is the building on your left.

BAXTER PATRONS PLEASE NOTE:

• Patrons cannot be admitted after start of performances. Latecomers may be seated at the discretion of the Front of House Manager at an appropriate interval in the performance. TV monitors are available for latecomers.
• Secure parking is available in the Baxter's parking area and nearby parking, patrolled by Carwatch for your peace of mind.
• Smoking policy: The Baxter Theatre Centre is a smoke-free building.

BAXTER RESTAURANT AND BAR

• Open daily 09:00 until late - except Sundays
• Value in a glass - and on a plate
• For all your promotions, functions, product launches, weddings, garden parties

Phone Jessica Lyon 021 689 5351 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

No event is too big or too small
No place is too difficult or too different

BAXTER TERRACE: Hot or cold buffets, lunches, dinners
LA FONTAINE: Available for private functions

BOOKSTALL

The Baxter's new bookstall, situated in the main foyer, offers a selection of plays and books related to current productions, as well as others covering a wide range of theatrical and South African interests. It is open before and after performances, as well as during interval.

For more information or queries please phone the Baxter on 021 685 7880 or Ahmien van der Walt on 072 077 1371.

FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

Hard of hearing?

Our Main Theatre is equipped with THE SENNHEISER SYSTEM for people with impaired hearing. Hearing aids with a T-switch can be linked to the system without headphones. Reserve your headphone or hearing-aid attachment by contacting the Front of House Manager at 021 680 3967.

Wheelchair facilities

Wheelchair positions are located in the Theatre, Concert Hall and Sanlam Studio Theatre. Please inform Computicket at the time of booking if you need a wheelchair space. Toilets for patrons with wheelchairs are located in the public toilets at the far end of the Main Foyer. Parking for people with wheelchairs is located at the Baxter Road and Burg Road entrances. A lift for wheelchairs in the Main Foyer allows access to the restaurant. Please contact the Front of House Manager on 021 680 3967 if you need assistance.

Further information about the Baxter's services to people with disabilities is contained in a special brochure available from the Baxter's Marketing Department.