When Gregory Maqoma declares that Genesis is his confrontation with time, its violence, its grace, and its invitation to begin again, you know you are not simply attending a performance. You are stepping into a reckoning.
From 18 to 21 February 2026, the Baxter Theatre becomes the birthplace of Genesis, a dance opera that fuses movement, music, and poetry into a visceral meditation on creation and transformation. This is not just another premiere; it is the unveiling of a new era in performance art, a work that dares to bend the boundaries of contemporary dance and opera into something audaciously alive.
A Visionary Returns Home
Internationally revered and decorated with accolades from Paris to Pretoria, Maqoma returns to the Baxter with a production commissioned by the theatre itself, a gesture of faith in his imagination and courage. For Maqoma, the Baxter is more than a venue; it is a partner in his becoming. And now, it is the stage where he redefines what South African performance can be.
Following the triumphs of Exit/Exist (2023) and Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Bolero (2024), Genesis continues Maqoma’s relentless pursuit of art that is both poetic and political, intimate yet universal.
A Constellation of Collaborators
At the heart of Genesis lies an ensemble of world-class creatives:
- Music: Mthwakazi Chosi, Annalyzer, Yogin Sulaphin, and Xolilisle Bongwana, under the musical direction of Nhlanhla Mahangu.
- Poetry: Anelisa Phewa, whose voice anchors the work in emotional depth.
- Libretto: Karthika Nair, weaving lyricism into the narrative fabric.
- Design: Jacques van der Watt (Black Coffee Fashion), Oliver Hauser (lighting), and Willy Cesar (set).
Together, they create a sensory landscape where dance collides with sound and text, demanding audiences not just to watch, but to feel.
The Vuyani Ensemble: Pushing Beyond Limits
Maqoma’s long-time collaborator Shannel Winlock-Pailman joins him in pushing the Vuyani Dance Theatre ensemble into new expressive territory. Expect physicality that borders on the impossible, performance excellence that redefines endurance, and choreography that speaks to the infinite cycle of existence.
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
After its limited five-performance run at the Baxter, Genesis transfers to the Joburg Theatre from 19 to 22 March 2026. Two cities, two stages, one groundbreaking work that insists on being witnessed.
Inside the Genesis Revolution
Maqoma is not simply staging a production; he is staging a philosophy. His work has always been about more than dance, it is about memory, identity, and the urgency of art in times of change. With Genesis, he offers audiences a chance to experience the beginning and end of time, compressed into a single, unforgettable performance.
Booking Details
Tickets are available via Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores. For discounted block bookings, fundraisers, and charities, contact Carmen Kearns at 021 680 3993 or email carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
