Market Theatre brings afropocalyptic magic to the stage

The award-winning production Afropocalypse returns after a critically acclaimed run at the 2025 National Arts Festival, where it received the festival’s highest Fringe accolade — the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award.

Running at The Market Theatre from 19 November to 7 December 2025, this energetic and hugely imaginative production follows a group of storytellers in an apocalyptic setting as they share fables of hope and resilience.

Directed by Daniel Buckland, Afropocalypse was originally produced by The Market Theatre Laboratory as their student production in 2024. It enjoyed sold-out performances at the Ramolao Makhene Theatre, becoming an instant favourite with audiences. The fourteen-strong ensemble now presents the work in their professional debut on the stage of the Mannie Manim Theatre at The Market Theatre.

The brilliantly entertaining work uses physical comedy and tragic magic realism to paint a vivid and vibrant picture of the past, present and speculative future. The stories are inspired by a myriad of South African voices — from Credo Mutwa to Jan Rabie — as well as our shared collection of modern South African myths and fables, all woven into a comical tapestry of catastrophe and release.

“This is a mischievous and vibrant look at South African society through the lens of all the weird and wonderful ways it could come to an end. The show uses dynamic and joyous ensemble performance, with bucketloads of physical comedy, puppetry and storytelling, to paint a vivid picture of the fallibility of humankind, as well as the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. The story leans into joy and tragedy. 

While the idea of an apocalypse is dark, the piece itself is not only about that. It’s a fun, playful platform to poke fun at contemporary society and satirise all the delicate bits of South Africa,” explained Buckland.

If you are craving theatre that’s out of this world, Afropocalypse is exactly that. Travel to a time yet to come and immerse yourself in stories untold.

Tickets are available on Webtickets from R110, with special discounts for the preview performance, group bookings of four or more, and all Wednesday performances at half-price.

This information was supplied by The Market Theatre, a division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

For more information, www/markettheatre.co.za