Broadway Quality Meets Local Excellence: Joburg Theatre bringing world-class productions to South African stages.
Imagine the weight of preserving your family’s legacy while chasing the promise of a brighter future.
Land or Legacy? It’s a timeless question that confronts us all: do we honour our past or embrace the opportunities that lie ahead? This dilemma lies at the heart of August Wilson’s iconic play, The Piano Lesson, now coming to life on the Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre. Directed by James Ngcobo, this powerful production runs from February 26 to March 16, 2025.
No latecomers will be allowed into the production.
Download your complementary programme here
At the center of The Piano Lesson is a poignant family conflict over an heirloom – a piano intricately carved with the history of their ancestors. Bernice, determined to preserve the piano as a symbol of their painful history under slavery, clashes with Boy Willie, whose vision for the future involves selling it to buy land and secure financial freedom. This emotional tug-of-war encapsulates a broader, universal struggle between holding on to the past and embracing the future.
With Wilson’s evocative dialogue and a haunting ghost that symbolizes the weight of history, the production delves into themes of heritage, identity, and the legacies we inherit. James Ngcobo, Artistic Director of Joburg City Theatres, shares: “The Piano Lesson is not only a celebration of Wilson’s extraordinary storytelling but also a poignant reflection on issues that remain relevant in South Africa today. Wilson’s exploration of heritage, conflict, and identity speaks directly to our own experiences of historical injustices and their enduring impact on our society.”
This year, we are proud to announce that the role of Maretha, a character representing the next generation caught between the past and the future, will be played by the exceptionally talented Kaiyah Newbern. Maretha’s character is central to the emotional heart of the play, and Kaiyah’s performance promises to bring a fresh, dynamic energy to this pivotal role.
What makes this collaboration even more exciting is that Kaiyah is an alumna of the prestigious National School of the Arts (NSA). NSA has long been a beacon of artistic excellence in South Africa, nurturing future generations of talent, and Joburg Theatre is excited to continue its partnership with this renowned institution. The Piano Lesson marks the second time in a row that a graduate from NSA has been cast in one of our in-house productions, further cementing the growing relationship between Joburg Theatre and NSA.
This collaboration is a testament to the thriving arts scene in Johannesburg and underscores the importance of institutions like NSA in shaping the careers of tomorrow’s stars. By working together, Joburg Theatre and NSA are not just telling stories; they are creating opportunities for young, emerging talent to shine on one of the country’s most prestigious stages.
Kaiyah joins a stellar cast, including Boitumelo Lesejane as Grace, Pakamisa Zwedala as Doaker Charles, Katlego Chale as Boy Willie, Lerato Mvelase as Berniece, Thokozani Nzima as Reverend/Avery, Vaneshran Arumugam as Wining Boy, and Warren Masemola as Lymon.
Tickets are now on sale, with preview performances on February 26 and 27, 2025. Follow Joburg Theatre on social media at @joburgtheatre and join the conversation with #ThePianoLesson.
To download the programme CLICK HERE
