Bitter Winter at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre and Studio

Paul Slabolepszy’s Bitter Winter Premieres at Montecasino’s Pieter Toerien Studio Theatre – A poignant Tribute to South African Theatre

Johannesburg, South Africa – Audiences are in for a treat as Bitter Winter, the latest play by acclaimed South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy, makes its debut at The Studio, Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre. This topical and timely production will run from February 20 to March 16, 2025, with tickets priced between R150 and R220.

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The Sheriff in the American Western film Six Guns at Sesriem is not the role a classically-trained actor in his mid-70s would typically aspire to—yet for Jean-Louis Lourens, this casting could be his lifeline. As Jean-Louis waits at a high-stakes audition for the arrival of the American movie director, he encounters Prosper Mangane, an up-and-coming television and film star. Prosper’s youthful energy and adventurous spirit offer Jean-Louis a new perspective on their shared profession—a career both rewarding and unforgiving.

With slick and efficient casting director, Felicia Willemse, keeping the actors updated on the impending arrival of the hot-shot director, Jean-Louis and Prosper are left alone to reflect on their journeys in the cold, barren audition room. Their dialogue takes audiences through the struggles and triumphs of actors who remain deeply committed to their craft despite the challenges they face.

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Bitter Winter offers a heartfelt exploration of the artist’s life. It celebrates the legends of South African theatre while shining a light on the new generation of rising stars making their mark on the global stage. This tender tale takes audiences along the winding, sometimes rocky road that many artists feel compelled to travel in pursuit of their dreams.

The production boasts a stellar cast, with André Odendaal as Jean-Louis Lourens. Odendaal, who won a Naledi Award for Best Actor for his role in DOP, is also well-known for his TV roles in Binnelanders, Getroud Met Rugby, and Dwaalster. Oarabile Ditsele, fresh from a sold-out run of Rapela and Kill Move Paradise, as well as the acclaimed production of Woza Albert at the Baxter Theatre, takes on the role of Prosper Mangane. Chantal Stanfield, best known for her work in 7de Laan, Getroud Met Rugby, and her one-woman show From Koe’siestes to Kneidlach, recently starred as The Widow in the sold-out musical Mamma Mia!, and now plays casting director Felicia Willemse. Directed by award-winning director Lesedi Job, whose notable credits include When Swallows Cry, Brutal Legacy and Kill Move Paradise, among others and produced by Weslee Lauder, this production promises to deliver a powerful and moving theatrical experience.

Venue: The Studio at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre

Dates: February 20 – March 16, 2025

Ticket Prices: R150 - R220

Language Mix: 75% English, 25% Afrikaans

Duration: Approximately 80 minutes, with no interval

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Bitter Winter is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power of storytelling and the magic of live theatre. This production pays homage to the resilience, dedication, and passion of South African artists who continue to inspire and entertain.

Tickets are available through Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1550796719

or at Pieter Toerien’s Box Office.

Paul Slabolepszy, recent recipient of a NALEDI Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Theatre, is one of South Africa's most revered playwrights, known for his character-driven stories that speak to the human condition, with a body of work that resonates both locally and internationally.