GIG GUIDE | Top art shows to see in October - TimesLIVE
The Joburg Underground Film Festival is showing experimental, radical and unorthodox cinema from across the world, spanning Super 8mm and found archival photographs to GTA gameplay captures, printed digital stills annotated by hand and stop-motion animation.
William Kentridge's The Centre for the Less Good Idea returns with 'Between Ghosts & Shadows', a three-day programme of experimental work. Picture: Zivanai Matangi The Centre for the Less Good Idea presents a new programme this month, Between Ghosts & Shadows. The three-day mini-festival features exhibitions, installations, a pop-up market and performances in which artists and collaborators explore new short forms, and the idea of a perpetual performance conceptualised through filmed, projected shadows.
Kyla Davis, Lisa Derryn Overy and Roberto Pombo star in the sharply satirical 'The Agents'. Picture: Webtickets In this outrageously funny satire, Venter, Linda and Brenda are a trio of devious estate agents who will do anything for a sale. Taking aim at everyone from slick property influencers to clueless home buyers and neighbourhood watch groups, the production casts a baleful eye on the cut-throat world of property development, gentrification, luxury estate living and the capitalist dream itself.
Written and performed by Kyla Davis, Lisa Derryn Overy and Roberto Pombo, The Agents is directed by physical theatre legend Toni Morkel.
Danica De La Rey Jones in ‘Prima Facie’. Picture: Quaid Jones Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie, an Olivier- and Tony Award-winning play directed by Neil Coppen, stars Danica De La Rey Jones as Tessa, a brilliant young barrister forced to confront the patriarchal power of the law when her world is turned upside down.
Part of the Market Theatre’s inaugural Queer Festival, 'The Breasts of Tiresias' runs from October 15 to 25. Picture: Market Theatre Michael is a trans man obsessed with the Greek prophet Tiresias, who is cursed by the gods to change sex every seven years. To Michael, this isn’t a curse: he prays for the same fate, but the gods won’t listen. The production, directed by Malcolm Purkey, stars Gerard Bester and Sandi Dlangalala, with live music created by Carlo Mombelli. Some of the performances form part of the Market Theatre’s inaugural Queer Festival (October 21 to 25).
Joburg Ballet dancers Latoya Mokoena and Mario Gaglione perform in 'Carmen: The Ballet'. Picture: Lauge Sorensen Veronica Paeper’s staging of the ballet classic Carmen forms part of Joburg Ballet’s 25th anniversary season. Set to Georges Bizet’s unforgettable score, it follows the fiery, free-spirited Carmen and her dangerous descent into a world of obsession and betrayal.
The Roedean Art Fair brings emerging and established artists together with new creative spaces and student work. Picture: Roedean Art Fair The 2026 Roedean Art Fair presents emerging and established artists and new creative spaces alongside exceptional student work. At the booths and exhibitions, limited edition prints will be for sale by artists including Mary Sibande. Photography by Thero Mankepe will be on show and Maps Maponyane will do a collector’s art walk.
The Glenshiel Christmas Fair raises funds to support vital health care and first aid initiatives across the country. Picture: Glenshiel Held as always in the Glenshiel gardens, this year’s fair will have more than 90 booths selling fashion, jewellery, home décor and beauty products, and food vendors and lots of bubbly. Ticket sales support the Order of St John’s community work. Preview night on October 28.
The 70th International Festival of Contemporary Music is directed by Caterina Barbieri and features a fascinating collection of international soloists and ensembles.
The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees 2026 offers something for every theatre lover, even those who prefer their performances in English. Among the English pieces on show are Brett Bailey’s reinterpretation of Goethe’s Faust II, Alan Committie’s retelling of An Iliad and a multi-role performance by Carlo Daniels in I, Lord Hamlet, which transports Shakespeare’s prince to the Cape Flats. Remember to check out the authors’ talks.
Mozart’s notorious seducer takes centre stage in Opera UCT’s 'Don Giovanni' at The Baxter. Picture: Opera UCT Mozart’s Don Giovanni seduces and deceives women without conscience. But when one of his conquests results in a murder, a sinister force is unleashed. The production is staged by French-American director Talia Stern, with designs by Allegra Bernacchioni. The Opera UCT cast and chorus, joined by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, are conducted by Peggy Wu and Jeremy Silver.
