03/07/2026
A children's story written by local authors Marga and Keila van Vuuren is making the leap from the page to the stage as Gary the Grasshopper has a Secret returns as a puppet theatre production in Bloemfontein this July!
The production tells the story of Gary, a small grasshopper who dreams of singing with his friends but is burdened by a secret that he fears could cost him their friendship. Determined to overcome his challenge, Gary embarks on an adventure where he meets a variety of farm animals, including Henry the sheepdog and Mirabela the Cow.
The initial run of the production has taken place in March as part of a community outreach programme made possible through support from the National Arts Council, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. The tour visited local schools and libraries, introducing young audiences to the story and its characters.
According to the creators, the production aims to encourage children to reconnect with literature by bringing stories to life in an engaging and interactive way. Alongside promoting reading, the show explores themes of friendship, trust, adventure and embracing differences. Performances will take place at The Rabbit Theatre Studio, located at 20 Jock Meiring Street, Bloemfontein, on:
7 July: 09:00 and 11:00
8 July: 09:30 and 11:00
9 July: 12:30
The cast and crew feature local talent who studied Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State, including Keila van Vuuren, Naledi Moalusi, Mosa Nyelele, Anke Malan and Jené Heymans. The book 'Gary the Grasshopper has a Secret' is available in Afrikaans, English and Sesotho through local bookstores and as an e-book on Amazon, with an audiobook also in development.
