Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons
comedy drama
Written by Sam STEINER | Directed by Henu BADEN | Performed by Jessie DIEPEVEEN and Maxim DU TOIT
16+ L
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner is a thought-provoking play set in a world where people can only speak a limited number of words. In this society, the government imposes a strict restriction on language, allowing each person only 140 words per day. The play follows the relationship between two characters, Bernadette and Oliver, as they navigate this constraint. As their communication becomes increasingly fragmented, they must find new ways to express love, frustration, and their place in a society that stifles human connection. The play explores themes of language, freedom, and the power of communication, questioning how much of our humanity can survive when words are in short supply.
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, the critically acclaimed rom-com by Sam Steiner, made its South African debut at the Toneelhuis Theatre in Cape Town in December 2024.
Presented by Maxim du Toit and Jessie Diepeveen, both accomplished actors and theatre professionals, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a tender insight into the constraints of language, and the choices we make about what we say—or withhold—take on profound meaning. Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons follows Oliver and Bernadette, two people grappling with the limits of communication and the impact it has on their relationship. Hilarious yet poignant, the play explores what happens when we can no longer speak freely and how humans continue to communicate through actions, body language, and the spaces between words.
Originally premiering in 2015, Sam Steiner’s play has since gained international acclaim, including a major revival in London’s West End in 2023. It has been performed around the world and remains a favorite for its witty yet deep exploration of love, communication, and the human condition.