A new theatre 
production at the South African State Theatre is using satire, humour and physical performance to confront gender-based violence (GBV) and the exhausting precautions women take every day to stay safe.
Text Me When You Arrive, produced by POPArt Studios, tells the story of three women as they deal with the unwritten rules that society forces on them.
The title comes from the familiar message women send to friends and family after travelling or heading home after a night out. The production transforms this simple phrase “text me when you arrive” into a reflection on fear, care, survival and mutual support.
Through movement, humour, satire and direct engagement with the audience, the 55-minute play explores rape culture, social media activism and the emotional burden carried by women living under the constant threat of violence.
The play questions whether social media outrage and popular hashtags can truly change the conditions that allow violence against women to continue.
The production also raises difficult questions about accountability, masculinity, safety and the social structures that normalise violence against women. It encourages audiences to reflect on their own behaviour and consider how families, communities and institutions can help address GBV.
Directed by Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi, the play features performances by Aaliyah Matintela, Sibahle Mangena and Thulisile Ngcaweni.
The State Theatre promises audiences a gripping and unforgettable theatrical experience that is entertaining and socially relevant.
The play carries an age restriction of 14 years and older. It speaks directly to young people navigating questions about gender equality, freedom, justice and social responsibility in a fast-changing digital world.
“Text Me When You Arrive is more than a theatre production. It is a necessary conversation. A mirror to society. A call for reflection, empathy and action,” the Theatre said.
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