If you must see something on stage this month, it has to be Expelled. This witty new drama by How Now Brown Cow (the team who gave us A Marry Little Christmas in December 2023) with an important commentary on the deeper extent of social media. Writer Rosalind Butler delivered a local, topical, powerful, and incredibly relevant work for the South African stage.
Expelled just finished its local premiere in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre, and opens at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg from 7 to 31 March 2024.
What is Expelled about?
Can a few minutes of bad judgment online ruin a life? Expelled is a play about social media’s power to connect and its power to destroy.
The family drama focuses on the largely ungoverned world of social media. Alex Bolton is a Matric pupil at an elite school who gets caught up in a viral scandal and is suspended. Once shared, lives alter in seconds, what’s seen cannot be unseen and the ramifications for his family are profound.
‘It is a pertinent play for our social media obsessed world, and we believe its critical impact will resonate loudly for years to come,’ explains Julie-Anne McDowell, founder of and producer at How Now Brown Cow. ‘We all need to witness this valuable story.’
Director Craig Freimond leads the cast and crew to unfold this family drama starring Nicolas Hattingh as Alex Bolton. Expelled sees Charmaine Weir-Smith switch from her usual role as director to take the role of Lou alongside Antony Coleman. The rest of the cast features Graham Hopkins and Amelia Smith. Keep an eye out for the ingenious set design and lighting by Kieran McGregor and Daniel Rutland Manners.
Special performances for school outings
This production is a must-see theatre show for all high school learners who are on social media, as well as for their parents on how to navigate through the minefield. School performances run every Thursday at 11am until 31 March. The recommended age is 14+, and parental or teacher guidance is advised.
The Market Theatre is offering special school learner discounts on offer via Anthony Ezeoke on anthonye@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950. Tickets for high school teens are priced at R160pp. For school groups of 10 or more, tickets will be at R100 per learner.
Gather your colleagues for an insightful corporate experience
Looking for a fresh way to connect with your colleagues or work contacts? An outing to one of Johannebsurg’s leading independent theatres is always bound to give you some of the best South African stories and creativity.
The Market Theatre is offering special discounted block bookings for corporate packages or larger groups to see Expelled. To take advantage of block bookings and save with discounts, please contact Anthony Ezeoke at anthonye@markettheatre.co.za or call 011 832 1641 or 083 246 4950.
More about How Now Brown Cow’s Writer’s Collective
‘The topicality of Expelled immediately appealed to How Now Brown Cow and we are proud to have nurtured its development through The Writers’ Collective,’ says Julie-Anne McDowell, founder of and producer at How Now Brown Cow.
As with A Marry Little Christmas which premiered in December last year, Expelled is one of several submissions from How Now Brown Cow’s Writer’s Collective that ran during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Rosalind Butler wrote the play. The Writers’ Collective came as a positive glimmer of hope at a time when the arts community battled for support.
Cost: Tickets range from R230pp, and bookings are at Webtickets or at Pick ‘n Pay outlets. Discounts for groups of 10 or more apply
When: Running from 7 to 31 March. Wednesday to Saturday at 7pm, and matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm
Where: Mannie Manim Theatre at The Market Theatre, 56 Margaret Mcingana St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Website: markettheatre.co.za
Email: info@markettheatre.co.za
Tel: 011 832 164
Facebook: @themarkettheatre
Instagram: @markettheatre
