SELLO MAAKE KANCUBE FOUNDATION and DAPHNE KUHN
by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Ltd,
representing the rights of The Estate of Athol Fugard present

MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS
by Athol Fugard

First produced by the Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, Connecticut, on 1^st March 1982.
Directed by ATHOL FUGARD
Original cast: DANNY GLOVER as Sam, ZAKES MOKAE as Willie and LONNY PRICE as Hally

This searing one-act play is set in a 1950s Port Elizabeth tearoom and centres on a rainy afternoon shared by Hally, a white South African schoolboy, and two Black waiters, Sam and Willie. What begins as a gentle conversation about ballroom dancing and flying a kite unravels into a confrontation with the devastating realities of apartheid, power and betrayal.

Athol Fugard’s semi-autobiographical drama is a cornerstone of South African theatre and remains one of his most enduring and emotionally charged works. With humour, humanity and heartbreak, MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS examines the ties that bind us – and the divisions that break us.

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes (no interval)

About the Playwright
ATHOL FUGARD is one of South Africa’s most celebrated playwrights, known for his powerful and honest portrayals of life under apartheid. His works, including Boesman and Lena, The Road to Mecca and MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS, have earned international acclaim for their humanity and social impact. A recipient of numerous awards and honours, Fugard’s plays continue to be staged worldwide, resonating with audiences through their emotional depth and unflinching truth.

A Legacy Revisited

MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS holds a special place in the history of the Theatre on the Square. This marks the third time we are staging this iconic play – each production a powerful reminder of its emotional weight and enduring relevance.

For producer DAPHNE KUHN, this particular Fugard masterpiece has always resonated deeply: “It’s a story that speaks to the heart of South Africa – painful, poetic and profoundly human. No matter how many times we produce this production, it never loses its impact.”

This production is especially meaningful, as it follows the recent passing of ATHOL FUGARD, one of our greatest literary voices. We are proud to honour his legacy through this production – brought to life in collaboration with SELLO MAAKE KANCUBE.

“To step into this role and help produce a play that shaped the landscape of South African theatre is both a privilege and a responsibility. Fugard’s work reminds us of who we were, who we are, and who we still need to become.” – SELLO MAAKE KANCUBE

MEET THE TEAM

WARONA SEANE is a distinguished South African theatre director, actor, writer and dramaturg. She has directed acclaimed productions such as The Mountaintop (Naledi Award nomination for Best Director, 2013) and Danai Gurira’s Eclipsed at the Soweto Theatre. Her performance in For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf earned her a Fleur du Cap Award in 2002. Seane served as the first Artistic Manager of the Soweto Theatre (2013–2015), where she championed community engagement and innovative storytelling. She holds an MA in Dramaturgy from the University of Cape Town.

WILHELM DISBERGEN (set, lighting and costume designer) a renowned South African theatre designer, awarded multiple Naledi Theatre Awards and a Fleur du Cap for lighting design. His notable works include collaborations with Aubrey Sekhabi on The Rivonia Trial, Marikana – The Musical, and Freedom The Musical. Internationally, he has designed for Kampnagel, Hamburg, and worked extensively with Cape Town City Ballet and the National Arts Festival, bringing powerful stories to life through innovative design and lighting. His most recent work at Theatre on the Square include The Suit by Can Themba and the family musical, Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

MEET THE CAST

SELLO MAAKE KANCUBE (Co producer and Sam), a celebrated South African actor with a career spanning over 40 years, is thrilled to return to the Theatre on the Square in this special production. Born in Orlando East and raised in Atteridgeville, Maake kaNcube discovered his passion for acting as a child and made his professional debut under the guidance of the legendary Gibson Kente. Known for iconic roles such as Mufasa in The Lion King and his groundbreaking portrayal on Generations, Maake kaNcube has garnered numerous accolades, including the Men of Valour Award and GQ’s Industry Icon of the Year. His performances have captivated audiences worldwide, from South Africa to Europe and beyond. Alongside his acting career, he is dedicated to education through his performing arts academy, empowering young artists to make a meaningful impact in the arts industry. Sello has been in several productions at Theatre on the Square including House of Truth, Nothing But The Truth and most recently The Suit.

DANIEL ANDERSON (Hally) is 25 years old and has grown up on the theatre stage. Starting as a child Elvis Presley impersonator, he migrated to musical theatre in 2010, where his first experience of the craft was in the East London Guild Theatre production of Peter Pan, written by Steven Stead. He holds a BA degree in Film Production and an ATCL in Musical Theatre with the Trinity College of London. Daniel’s most recent theatre credits include Simeon/Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Writer/Director of Beat It – The Incredible Story of Michael Jackson, Daniel Beauxhomme in Once On This Island (EL, CPT), Kickstart’s Aladdin (DBN), The Emperor’s New Clothes The Musical (DBN), Boniface Bookworm in Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and The Beast. Daniel also has two one-man musicals on the show circuit – Mad About The Boys and Vincent – his quest to love and be loved, which have played locally and internationally, garnering critical acclaim and awards recognition. Most recently, Vincent was awarded three Naledi Theatre Awards, two of which were for Daniel’s performance in the categories Best Breakthrough Performance and Best Lead Actor in A Musical.

LEBOHANG MOTAUNG (Willie) is a seasoned actor and director with a background in Dramatic Arts from Wits University. He has portrayed lead roles in South African classics like Othello and The Taming of the Shrew and recently starred as Headmaster Marrow in Choirboy at the National Arts Festival. Lebohang’s television credits include Rhythm City, Diamond City and Gomora, and he currently appears in Slave Market, an international series produced in Cairo. A versatile talent, he is also a voice-over artist, puppeteer and percussionist. He was recently seen in The Suit at Theatre on the Square earlier this year.