Dolliwarie is a darkly comic physical theatre piece that explores a broken father-son relationship, emotional repression, and the fragile thread between innocence and despair. Through clowning, mime, and poetic stage imagery—including a paper bird and an upside-down world behind prison walls—Dolliwarie takes the audience on a surreal journey into the heart of a troubled man.
Inspired by the absurdist and existentialist tones of Franz Kafka—whose writings have long fascinated creator Sjaka S. Septembir—the piece delves into the absurdity of guilt, the repression of feeling, and the liberation that comes through embracing our inner clown.
Created and performed by Sjaka S. Septembir, the production is directed by Carlo Daniels, in collaboration with Aldo Brincat who directed the original version. The musical landscape is composed by Jacques du Plessis and Gertjie Besselsen, whose sound design weaves between melancholy, mischief, and moments of quiet grace.
Dolliwarie first premiered at the Vrystaat Kunstefees in 2022 to powerful emotional responses. Since then, it has evolved into a richer, more layered production, with its next iteration taking place at Theatre Arts in Cape Town in May 2025. This residency allows the creative team to further develop the work for both a Cape Town audience and a future runs.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Sjaka S. Septembir is a poet, playwright, clown and performer with over three decades of experience in the South African theatre and literary scene. His work blends physical theatre, breathwork, absurdist humour and philosophical inquiry. He holds a MA from UCT and is currently completing a PhD in Literary Studies.
Carlo Daniels is a multi-award winning Cape Town-based actor and director known for his nuanced performances and community engagement. His background in physical theatre and storytelling make him an ideal collaborator in developing the next evolution of Dolliwarie.
Aldo Brincat is an acclaimed performer, writer and director who has worked across borders and disciplines, bringing his own deep understanding of physical storytelling and visual theatre to the original direction of the piece.
Jacques du Plessis and Gertjie Besselsen are both well-known musicians and composers in South Africa, recognised for their genre-blending creativity. Their contribution to Dolliwarie brings a haunting, playful, and emotionally resonant soundscape to the work.
Dolliwarie is theatre at its most tactile, poetic and surprising—a piece that lingers in the mind, heart, and body long after the lights go down.