That Boy Has No Shoes, an ‘immersive and emotional’ performance about Apartheid, comes to Upstairs at the Gatehouse as part of Voila! Theatre Festival.
Following on from a four-star run at Camden Fringe 2024, this performance reflects on the horrors of Apartheid from the perspective of Lara, a young South African who was born in the democracy.
On four illuminated plinths appear an axe, an eviction notice, a passbook, and a camera who each take their turn with the microphone. Onstage, they become the repositories for the Apartheid struggle and tell stories of who they saw, what they did and where they were left behind. Lara silently works in the background and facilitates the space.
Intermixing folksong with narrative storytelling, this 'poignant production' highlights riots, forced removals and protests that shaped the cultural and economic landscapes of democratic South Africa. The result is “compelling” and “powerful”.
**** 'Thought-provoking' -
Reviews Hub**** 'Instructive, moving and horrific' -
Everything Theatre**** 'An excellent work of art' -
A Young(ish) PerspectiveDate: 11th November 2024
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Show listing: here Tickets: here Age recommendation: 16+
Duration: 60 mins
Price: £16
Languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu
Show accessibility: This show is performed in English and only features South African languages through song.
Content warnings: A prolonged blackout, strobe lights, loud noises and audio descriptions of racism, violence & death. Viewers may be disturbed by sensitive imagery.
Cast & CreativesCreator & performer: Lara van Huyssteen
Featuring the voices of Stellenbosch University drama students.
Lara van Huyssteen I
Voila! Theatre Festival I
Upstairs at the Gatehouse I
Website