Smaar­ties (which takes place in both Afrikaans and English) is a pow­er­ful one-man show about Mr Lotz who finds him­self in a psy­chi­atric ward after the death of both of his par­ents. He still has a 12-year-old sis­ter he has to look after. The play looks at his daily life in the ward and how he is cop­ing and try­ing to word and explain what really hap­pened that night to him and his parents… "...Smaarties kan kompeteer met van die beste eenman stukke in die land!" Breytenbach (Die Reviewer)

"...hierdie is uitstekende teater, 'n ware lekerny!" Hurter (Artslink)

"...Erasmus se toneelspel is uitstekend!" Kusel (Grapevine)

After a hugely suc­cess­ful run at the South African State The­atre ear­lier on in the year, Smaarties has been invited to play at var­i­ous other the­atres in South Africa, includ­ing the­atres in Rusten­burg, Pre­to­ria, Cen­tu­rion, Potchefstroom and Johan­nes­burg. Now the time has come for Cape Town to wit­ness this great pro­duc­tion.

It is directed and designed by one of Mail&Gaurdian's Top 200 Young South Africans, Quintin Wils, who says that Smaar­ties is by far the most com­plex show that he has ever directed, but adds that “…it is by far the most excit­ing pro­duc­tion that I have directed thus far! A pro­duc­tion that makes you think twice about what schiz­o­phre­nia actu­ally is.”

Media & Reviews

Review by Steyn du Toit

Press Release

‘Smaarties’ nommerpas vir dié gehore

Review by Tayla-Paige van Sittert

Audience Responses

wat 'n fantastiese vertoning. die jong man, jannes, se talent in onbeskryfbaar. dit is wonderlik om ernstige toneel in so 'n klein en intieme teater raak te loop. doen so voort.

SMAARTIES (significance of extra "a"?) begs comparison with Wessel Pretorius's UNDONE. It comes off a very poor second in all departments. Prefer not to give rating. Thanks for opportunity, as always, to see Alexander shows. Also for free Smarties!

Hi Alexander I tried to log on to the website, but was told 'This page cannot be displayed'. My report-back about Smaarties, however, is negative. I thought it postured and pretentious. It was much ado about nothing. I could not wait for it to end. One should allow for the extreme youth of the playwright/performer and the fact that he hails from TUT (Tshwane University - sic - of Technology). I still don't understand why erstwhile technikons are called universities - and then with arts faculties? I think given time, plus guidance and experience (and honest opinion from experts), the guy has potential. This was peurile. Regards Henk

Jannes Erasmus was superb. Very talented. Set design also amazing. The script a bit "old", have seen many plays with that theme.

Smaarties is a really good example of physical theatre. The venue suited it well. Great general atmosphere.

The entire Drama was told in the first minutes of the piece - which left 50 minutes of repetition, little or no variation in dynamics - and ultimately an unsatisfying experience. That said - it is always commendable that new works are written / produced / staged; so congrats to all for that. (The director's note in the programme could have benefited from so proof reading and editing...as, no doubt, could my comments above!) x

Disturbing. I really enjoyed it

4

Phenomenal!

Jannes grabs your attention from the moment you enter the theatre and doesn't let go for a second. I sat with my glass of wine in my hand during the whole performance and barely took a sip... for those who know me, that's a BIG deal! Gripping. Intense. Brilliant. - The Show Guy

It was a very good theater production, cannot wait for the next one.