Breaking the Closet showcasing celebrated local performers as they share enthralling coming out stories, returns to the stage as part of this year’s Cape Town Pride lineup.
Once again, the production promises powerful storytelling by familiar faces and special guests from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or sometimes questioning) and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community.
The show features legendary comedian and host Eugene Mathews, who is no stranger to the stage, having etched himself into the concrete of South Africa’s comedy scene. His work as co-presenter and producer of Bush Radio’s LGBTQ show, The Salon, was awarded an EvH Pink Award in the Media category; the annual Cape Town Pride LGBTQ comedy show that he curates is always a successful affair; his ‘beat ignorance with excellence’ approach to homophobia has yielded positive results; and his debut one-person comedy special, The Relaunch of Gina, has garnered rave reviews.
Joining him on stage is co-producer and comic Nicola Date and Cape Town’s radio journalist Saya Pierce-Jones. Hailing from Johannesburg, Date is a jack of all trades and lover of creative exploration.
Her extensive experience spans events, theatre performance, design, public relations and copy-writing.
Date recently launched her new business Compass Rose Collection, a lifestyle brand, with co-owner Heine J van As.
Pierce-Jones is another familiar face and voice in the Cape Town media scene and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and gender-based violence prevention. When she’s not seeking the truth, she can be found on stage as a hilarious stand-up comedian.
Special guests for this performance are second-year Fine Arts student Zach Steward, recent Northlink College graduate and actress Lisa-Mari van Wyk, and performing artist, theatre and filmmaker, and activist Siyanda Yokwana.
Breaking the Closet is the brainchild of Date and Mathews, who felt that it was essential to create a platform for LGBTQIA+ performers to share their stories and connect with audiences from all walks of life. Every show has been an incredible, safe, and poignant space, allowing communities to heal and celebrate. Whether identifying as heterosexual or member of the LGBTQIA+ community, the stories are bound to be engaging, exciting, and sometimes hilarious.
The Cape Town Pride edition of Breaking the Closet will be taking place on Thursday 17 February at Zero21 Castle Hotel, at 19:30. Tickets cost just R50 and can be bought at Quicket.co.za.
All covid protocols will be adhered to. For more information, send an email to bymenicola@gmail.com or call 083 714 6974.
