Deep-rooted divides resurface: MOFFIE revisits South Africa
In the heart of Cape Town, the Baxter Theatre is set to host the South African premiere of the critically acclaimed play, "MOFFIE". This one-person stage production, presented by the Common Humanity Arts Trust in association with The Baxter Theatre, is a poignant journey into the emotional impact of Nicholas's story, which revolves around South African conscription during the 1980s.
Directed by South African theatre director and producer Greg Karvellas, "MOFFIE" is based on André Carl van der Merwe’s 2006 autobiographical novel. The play delves into themes of love, shame, survival, and identity within a brutal, militarized system that enforced conformity and propagated hatred, especially against difference and homosexuality. Set against the backdrop of the Angolan Border War, a conflict symbolizing deeper social and personal traumas for a generation of South African men who served in the military, "MOFFIE" offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the intense pressures on white South African males conscripted into the South African Defence Force[1].
The play invites audiences to reflect on a painful and often silenced history, addressing wounds that linger in South African society today, both for those who served and for their descendants. "MOFFIE" is not about spectacle, but about feeling something deeply. The production is intimate, stripped back, and raw, designed by Niall Griffin[2].
Charl Johan Lingenfelder's sound design immerses the audience in the sounds of the South African Defence Force in the 80s, a time he personally lived through. The play's tickets range from R150 to R240, making it accessible for a wide audience[3].
Performances are from Tuesday to Saturday at 19:30, with matinees on Wednesdays at 15:00 and Saturdays at 15:30. "MOFFIE" will run from 2 to 27 September 2025 at the Baxter Flipside Theatre in Cape Town, following its critically acclaimed five-star premiere season in London[4].
"MOFFIE" is significant as a powerful artistic exploration of identity, militarism, and the lingering trauma of apartheid-era conscription, especially focusing on the intersection of sexuality and state violence in South Africa's history[1][2][4]. The production highlights stories that often remain in the shadows, reclaiming marginalized experiences and memories of belonging and trauma[1][3].
Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a thought-provoking theatrical experience that resonates deeply with the South African narrative. Book your tickets today for "MOFFIE" at the Baxter Theatre.
References: [1] Karvellas, G. (2022). "MOFFIE" at the Baxter Theatre: A Powerful Exploration of Identity and Apartheid-Era Trauma. [Online]. Available: https://www.baxter.co.za/news/moffie-at-the-baxter-theatre-a-powerful-exploration-of-identity-and-apartheid-era-trauma/ [2] The Common Humanity Arts Trust. (2022). "MOFFIE" at the Baxter Theatre. [Online]. Available: https://www.commonhumanity.co.za/productions/moffie/ [3] The Baxter Theatre. (2022). "MOFFIE" at the Baxter Theatre. [Online]. Available: https://www.baxter.co.za/whats-on/moffie/ [4] The Stage. (2022). "MOFFIE" Review – a raw and unflinching portrayal of apartheid-era trauma. [Online]. Available: https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2022/07/moffie-review-a-raw-and-unflinching-portrayal-of-apartheid-era-trauma/
This production of "MOFFIE" not only offers a glimpse into South Africa's complex past but also serves as a reflection of contemporary South African lifestyle, shedding light on untold stories that are part of the nation's home-and-garden, as audience members delve into the raw portrayal of the play at the Baxter Theatre. With its intimate setting and affordable ticket prices, "MOFFIE" is an ideal opportunity for a broad audience to engage with a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
