Following a successful run at The Baxter Theatre we are proud to host The Year Of The Bicycle.  After almost ten years, Joanna Evans’ hit play ‘The Year of the Bicycle’ returns to South African stages, with a fresh take under new direction and with new performers.  

In this restaging of Joanna Evan’ play we see Amelia and Andile, children from very different backgrounds, befriend one another over a garden wall. Ten years later, they have become estranged, and, in separate accidents, fall into a concussion at the same moment. They meet again in each other’s confused minds. Their bodies are broken but their thoughts are very loud as they reach out for contact. While piecing together fragments of self, their memories draw them back to 1997; the year of Ninja Turtles, bicycles, and tazos. And the year when their friendship was shattered by a place in which it is impossible for even a child to feel at ease.

Directed by Dara Beth, ‘The Year of the Bicycle’ stars Kamogelo Mhlantla and Samantha Carlisle in a story just as relevant in 2022 as when it debuted in 2013 (and certainly for years to come).

Photo Credits: Elysee Balogun

Dara Beth: Dara Beth is a short, angry, Jewish feminist with a desire to tell stories. Their main focus is to provide an audience with a language and vocabulary to explore new worlds. Dara has written and staged multiple original works for various festivals and theatres such as Nasty Womxn, Just A Song And A Dance, and Lolly to name a few. Dara has been nominated for Fleur du Cap, BroadwayWorld, and Kanna awards.

Kamogelo Mhlantla: Kamogelo Mhlantla, born and raised in Qgeberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth) is an actor currently based in Johannesburg. He has acted in various films and television series such as Poppie Nongena(2018), Pinky Pinky(2019) and Signal High Season 2(2020) and stage managed three plays: Curl Up and Dye directed by Wynne Bredenkamp, The Mother of All Eating written by Zakes Mda and directed by Chris Weare, He Had it Coming written by Mike van Graan, which went to The National Arts Festival in Makhanda.

Samantha Carlisle: Samantha Carlisle is an actress and makeup artist from Makhanda in the Eastern Cape. After living in Makhanda for 18 years—which, if you’ve ever been to Makhanda, you’ll know is far too long—she moved to Cape Town where she studied a BA in Live Performance at AFDA. In 2018 she acted in a production of Curl Up and Dye, directed by Wynne Bredenkamp, which enjoyed a successful run in Cape Town and at The National Arts Festival. In 2019 she took part in a monologue slam at The Baxter Theatre where she performed Ms South Africa (6) by Barney Simons. Before covid struck, she worked in various capacities at The Fugard Theatre. After The Fugard sadly closed its doors, she found work on the set of Some Mothers’ Sons, the film adaptation of Mike van Graan’s renowned play. Some Mothers’ Sons is currently travelling to film festivals in South Africa, Europe, and America. S

Audience Responses

Enthralling production, sensitively directed and performed. Thank you, Drama Factory, for hosting shows like this, where other theatres might hesitate. Raymond R.

I'm trying to click 5 stars, but it keeps giving me 4 1/2. I thought it was excellent - the performers were so committed and well practised that I was sucked in completely. What a heart-wrenching but typically SA view on childhood and coming of age. All three of us were very moved and impressed. Thank you for a wonderful performance. Can definitely be recommended for everyone.

Very thought provoking drama

Great show. Really well choreographed. And great use of set. Actors were great. Storyline was intriguing and raised interesting questions about our connection to people interwoven through our conscious and unconscious minds. Also a stark reminder of our racially biased past that seems important in understanding the South Africa of today. All in all, I’m really pleased to have experienced it.

Great show. Really well choreographed. And great use of set. Actors were great. Storyline was intriguing and raised interesting questions about our connection to people interwoven through our conscious and unconscious minds. Also a stark reminder of our racially biased past that seems important in understanding the South Africa of today. All in all, I’m really pleased to have experienced it.

Great show. Really well choreographed. And great use of set. Actors were great. Storyline was intriguing and raised interesting questions about our connection to people interwoven through our conscious and unconscious minds. Also a stark reminder of our racially biased past that seems important in understanding the South Africa of today. All in all, I’m really pleased to have experienced it.