The English/Afrikaans cabaret Femme is Fatale opens on August 9 at The Market Theatre and runs until August 18.
In this contemporary cabaret written by Bruce J Little and directed by Eloise Clasen, stage veteran Elzabé Zietsman and pianist Tony Bentel use stories and songs to shine a spotlight on gender-based violence (GBV).
Most women are confronted with GBV, but not enough of us discuss it. Zietsman compels you to engage and listen in this cabaret about womanhood, dreams, love, friendship, acceptance and murder.
Marna, Lian and Khanyi are three women trying to ride out life’s challenges and realise their dreams of better lives.
However, like countless women, they are confronted with GBV. Marna feels old after Koos, her husband of 30 years, left her for someone younger. She adopts a dog and plans a visit to her daughters in Australia.
At a young age, Lian knew she was trapped in the wrong body. She saves every cent she makes to pay for hormone therapy and the necessary operations to be her true self.
Khanyi cleans houses and dreams of studying beauty therapy. She walks long distances to work and back to save enough money to break the domestic worker cycle of the woman in her family.
These women share chasing their dreams and are also confronted by the same monster.
Zietsman last performed at The Market Theatre in the late 80s. Since then, she has built a prolific career as one of SA’s leading cabaret artists, mastering this form of performance.
Early this year, the cabaret was nominated for a kykNET Fiësta for best music-driven production. Zietsman’s courageous and memorable performance in Femme is Fatale is a chance to see her at the top of her game.
She tackles a script which offers a blistering account of women’s lives and integrates songs that result in a heartfelt and moving show.
Tickets cost R250 (full price) or R125 (half price) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Book through Webtickets and Pick n Pay.
