Acclaimed theatre production makes its South African debut in Cape Town this November

The internationally acclaimed stage production, Far Gone, is set to make its South African debut this November.

The one-man show, written and performed by Ugandan-born actor and writer John Rwothomack, will be staged at The Baxter Theatre Centre (The Lessor) from Tuesday, November 11 to Saturday, November 15, before moving to the Joburg Theatre from Wednesday, November 19 to Saturday, November 22 as part of a tour spanning four continents.

The tour began in September with a run at Sheffield Theatres’ Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, followed by performances at The Lowry in Manchester, the Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Arts Festival, Feng Dance International Gala, and National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan.

It now heads to South Africa before concluding in London and Kansas City, in America, next spring.

Renowned for its raw storytelling and powerful solo performance, Far Gone tells the heartbreaking story of a young boy’s journey from childhood innocence to being forcibly recruited as a child soldier in Northern Uganda.

The production combines humour, poetry, and physical theatre to explore the lasting trauma of conflict and the resilience of the human spirit.

“As an artist, it’s one thing to work internationally. To tour your own work globally feels incredibly special. We are humbled to take this important piece of work across four continents. I hope the heartbreaking story will resonate with South African audiences and those around the world,” said Mr Rwothomack.

Produced by Roots Mbili Theatre of Sheffield, England, a company founded to amplify African and diaspora voices, the show is directed by Nigerian theatre-maker Mojisola Kareem and was originally co-produced with Sheffield Theatres.

Mr Rwothomack drew inspiration from his own childhood experience of nearly being kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) at the age of eight.

“I made a promise to myself that I would tell this story one day,” he said. “These guerrilla groups and child kidnappings are still a reality around the world — we have to show that in a truthful way.”

"When I finished training as an actor, I thought the theatre scene was not set up to represent my voice, nor that of many others. So I knew if I wanted to be truly heard, I would have to build a space to do it. At Roots Mbili Theatre, we are dedicated to pinpointing views and stories that are not on the radar of theatre to give them the platform they deserve.”

Tickets are available via Webtickets, priced between R150 and R200.