SCHLENTER & CHAFF

Schlenter & Chaff is a South African theatrical satire brought to you by the newly formed “Vigilante Theatre” group spearheaded by young maverick creators Martin Grendele, Oliver Ché, and Themba Dlamini. Directed by Grendele and performed by Ché and Dlamini, the three have collaborated to tell an important yet equally ridiculous and absurd story. It is a 60-minute 2-hander physical comedy piece, operating within a historical South African context and inspired by the creators’ upbringing in colorful Jozi and its surroundings, with a focus on the gang violence and politics of the East Rand and the South. 

Having met each other at the Wits School of the Arts and previously performed together in many published productions, this original piece is based on an original concept by Grendele, co-written with Ché and devised by the full trio in 2025. This venture from the three young, accomplished, and experienced theatre-makers, is a true collaborative passion project showcasing the kind of theatre they want to see more of in this country.

Schlenter & Chaff had its debut at POPArt Theatre in June 2025. The opening run consisted of four shows that opened to a warm (despite the cold weather) audience of theatre and comedy lovers alike. After the success of the opening, Vigilante Theatre plans on touring the show across South Africa, with Cape Town being one of its premiere destinations.

Creative Team: 

Director: 

Martin Grendele is a multi-Naledi Theatre Award nominee, WITS Drama graduate, and educator. He is an innovative artist who can seamlessly transfer his skillset between performance, directing, and education. 

Cast: 

Themba Dlamini is best known for his commercial work for major brands and vast theatrical experience. Also a WITS Drama graduate, Themba is a versatile performer with breathtaking physicality and energy. 

Oliver Ché is an accomplished theatre actor and voice artist. His comedic ability, sharp insight, and passion for performance make him incredibly captivating and engaging on stage.

Blurb

The South of Joburg, the 21st century. Brad Schlenter and Brian Chaff are notorious criminal lawyers. In that they criminally defend other criminals. If someone has committed a crime, be that gang-related, affiliated, or concerned, then you bet our boys were the ones to defend them in court and get those fine upstanding gangsters acquitted of all charges. Or as much as they can bribe the judge to allow. Growing up together on the ‘mean’ streets of Glenvista, these two cousins and godbrothers were raised in the diverse culture of their family of gangsters. Schlenter and Chaff (South African slang words for manipulating and flirting, respectively) took their dream of becoming the greatest lawyers the South has ever known and built a law firm with their own two hands… and a generous loan from their dads. They spent hours dedicating themselves to learning the subtle and masterful world of South African legal loopholes. But after a career made up of defending some of the greatest gangsters… in their neighborhood, the boys have to deal with their most difficult client yet: an innocent man.