Well Worn Theatre Company

20/08/2026

HEY Hillbrow let's dlala is always the lekkerest of jols 🥰Thank you to Shade and The Windybrow Arts Centre for including us again this year! |Great pics Johannesburg In Your Pocket City Guide!

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! 2026 brought music, dance, theatre and colourful bird costumes to Hillbrow in a joyful celebration of community and freedom.

11/08/2026

Interlude: 'The Sentinel'

While performing 'The Herald' at AfrikaBurn 2026, we had the great pleasure of interacting with 'The Sentinel', a magnificent artwork by Leonardo Viti Teodoro Viti and Federico Gangemi

In their words 'The Sentinel was built to hold space for what we don't like to look at. Your fears. Your doubts. The things you carry alone.'

It was an auspicious meeting. You could even call it fate...

'The Herald' was:

Conceived & Directed by Kyla Davis
Co-directed by Daniel Buckland zygoatboy
Produced by Well Worn Theatre Company
Masks by JHB Mask And Movement Theatre

Cast:
Aminos Jaca Aminos
Tumelo Phofi Quinton Tumelo Phofi
Noluthando Khumalo Zamantungwa Khumalo
Muzi Trust Muzi Trust
Pulane Mafatshe Pulane Nomzamo Mafatshe
Thabiso Rammala Thabiso T Rammala
Philani Tensso Mhlanga Philani Tensso
Sandile Matsheni Sandile Matsheni
Phumlani Ngobese Donda
Wongama Bazi Mdange ka Tshiwo
Yangintsikelelo Klaas Yangintsikelelo Klaas
Lumka Dumezweni Lumka Dumezweni.
Brooklyn Lottering Brooklyn Lottering
Nokuthula Mabuza Fleabag
Lwazi Mdluli - Lwazilwenkosi Mdluli. 🇿🇦
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Percussion:
Tebogo Machaba Tebogo Jomo Machaba
Luke Buckland Luke Buckland
Abongile Matyutyu Abongile Maurice Matyutyu

Costumes:
Tamzyn Botha limb
Sinenhlanhla Zwane Sinenhlanhla Q. Zwane
Elliot Jaudz Elliot Jaudz
Jabulile Mangqangwane Jabulile JayBoo Sithole
Happy Simelane Happy Gladness

Ships by David Gara David Gara

Huge thanks to the support crew:
Bafana Zembe Bafana-Zembe 🧰
Metja Ledwaba Metja Phillipine Meme Ledwaba
Philani Masedi Philani Masedi
Melusi Masike Melusi Masike
Ayanda Dludla exotically Divine pulse
Maude Sandham Maude Sandham
Sindisiwe Mjali Sindisiwe Mjali
Lerato Sefoloshe Lerato Sefoloshe
Mia Snyman M I A
Kganyapa Fortune Kganyapa Kganyapa Kganyapa
Justin Ngozo Justin Ngozo
Hilda Ntshudisane
Sisonke Yafele
Nox Donyeli
Efese Betela
Nonie
Aviwe
Tyota

Incredible photos by:
Alastair Mclachlan: slides 2, 4, 5, 7
Federico Gangemi: slides 1, 3, 6, 8, 9

This project was made possible by generous support from an Afrika Burn art grant.

30/07/2026

ACT 2: THE MESSAGE

In any Tragedy worth its salt, the Herald or Messenger Archetype appears when the story calls for a profound shift toward another direction. The Herald is a signifier that tells us (the audience) that the story is about to change dramatically; the characters about to undergo a transformation; and that nothing in the world of the play will be the same after this point.

So too, 'The Herald' arrives at this particularly mad moment of our Earthly story.

*What will their message to us be?*

Conceived & Directed by Kyla Davis
Co-directed by Daniel Buckland zygoatboy
Produced by Well Worn Theatre Company
Masks by JHB Mask And Movement Theatre

Cast:
Aminos Jaca Aminos
Tumelo Phofi Quinton Tumelo Phofi
Noluthando Khumalo Zamantungwa Khumalo
Muzi Trust Muzi Trust
Pulane Mafatshe Pulane Nomzamo Mafatshe
Thabiso Rammala Thabiso T Rammala
Philani Tensso Mhlanga Tensso
Sandile Matsheni Sandile Matsheni
Phumlani Ngobese Donda
Wongama Bazi uWongama ka Ludwe Bazi
Yangintsikelelo Klaas Yangintsikelelo Klaas
Lumka Dumezweni Lumka Dumezweni.
Brooklyn Lottering Brooklyn Lottering
Nokuthula Mabuza Fleabag
Lwazi Mdluli - Lwazilwenkosi Mdluli. 🇿🇦
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Percussion:
Tebogo Machaba Tebogo Jomo Machaba
Luke Buckland Luke Buckland
Abongile Matyutyu Abongile Maurice Matyutyu

Costumes:
Tamzyn Botha limb
Sinenhlanhla Zwane Sinenhlanhla Q. Zwane
Elliot Jaudz Elliot Jaudz
Jabulile Mangqangwane Jabulile JayBoo Sithole
Happy Simelane Happy Gladness

Ships by David Gara David Gara

Huge thanks to the support crew:

Bafana Zembe Bafana-Zembe 🧰
Metja Ledwaba Metja Phillipine Meme Ledwaba
Philani Masedi Philani Masedi
Melusi Masike Melusi Masike
Ayanda Dludla exotically Divine pulse
Maude Sandham Maude Sandham
Sindisiwe Mjali Sindisiwe Mjali
Lerato Sefoloshe Lerato Sefoloshe
Mia Snyman M I A
Kganyapa Fortune Kganyapa Kganyapa Kganyapa
Justin Ngozo Justin Ngozo
Duncan Shelwell Duncan Shelwell
Hilda Ntshudisane

Incredible photos by:

Alastair Mclachlan: slides 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14
Tumisho Ramokonyana: slides 1, 2, 4, 7, 13
Ed, Edd And Eddie- Smoothninja: slides 3, 11, 12

This project was made possible by generous support from an Afrika Burn art grant.

15/07/2026

ACT 1: THE ARRIVAL

A mysterious envoy arrives. Strangers in a strange land. Whether they landed by accident or design is unclear. One thing is certain, however: they are amazed, awestruck, astonished by what they find...

'The Herald' is a large-scale choral mask performance, first unfolded over five days at AfrikaBurn 2026. A cast of 19 performer-devisors built their own masks and created the story over a period of three months in Jo'burg.

Inspired by Sophocles' chorus of ancient Greek theatre, a device used by philosophers and playwrights to show humanity to itself, 'The Herald' is likewise a mirror for us to see the best and the worst of ourselves.

As they see us, so we see ourselves.

Conceived & Directed by Kyla Davis
Co-directed by Daniel Buckland zygoatboy
Produced by Well Worn Theatre Company
Masks by JHB Mask And Movement Theatre

Cast:
Aminos Jaca Aminos
Tumelo Phofi Quinton Tumelo Phofi
Noluthando Khumalo Zamantungwa Khumalo
Muzi Trust Muzi Trust
Pulane Mafatshe Pulane Nomzamo Mafatshe
Thabiso Rammala Thabiso T Rammala
Philani Tensso Mhlanga Tensso
Sandile Matsheni Sandile Matsheni
Phumlani Ngobese
Wongama Bazi uWongama ka Ludwe Bazi
Yangintsikelelo Klaas Yangintsikelelo Klaas
Lumka Dumezweni Lumka Dumezweni.
Brooklyn Lottering Brooklyn Lottering
Nokuthula Mabuza Fleabag
Lwazi Mdluli - Lwazilwenkosi Mdluli. 🇿🇦
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Percussion:
Tebogo Machaba Tebogo Jomo Machaba
Luke Buckland Luke Buckland
Abongile Matyutyu Abongile Maurice Matyutyu

Costumes:
Tamzyn Botha limb
Sinenhlanhla Zwane Sinenhlanhla Q. Zwane
Elliot Jaudz Elliot Jaudz
Jabulile Mangqangwane
Happy Simelane Happy Gladness

Ships by David Gara David Gara

Huge thanks to the support crew:
Bafana Zembe Bafana-Zembe 🧰
Edward Choeu Ed, Edd And Eddie- Smoothninja
Metja Ledwaba Metja Phillipine Meme Ledwaba
Philani Masedi Philani Masedi
Melusi Masike Melusi Masike
Ayanda Dludla exotically Divine pulse
Maude Sandham Maude Sandham
Sindisiwe Mjali Sindisiwe Mjali
Mia Snyman
Hilda Ntshudisane
Kganyapa Fortune Kganyapa

Incredible photos by:
Alastair Mclachlan: slides 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15
Tumisho Ramokonyana: slides 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 12

This project was made possible by support from an Afrika Burn art grant.

26/04/2026

A peek into the strange world of 'The Herald'. A new large-scale choral mask performance for 2026

Conceived & Directed by Kyla Davis
Co-Directed by Daniel Buckland
Produced by Well Worn Theatre Company
Masks by the Johannesburg School of Mask & Movement Theatre

Cast:
Aminos Jaca
Tumelo Phofi
Noluthando Khumalo
Muzi Trust
Pulane Mafatshe
Thabiso Rammala
Philani Tensso Mhlanga
Sandile Matsheni
Phumlani Ngobese
Wongama Bazi
Yangitsikelelo Klaas
Lumka Dumezweni
Brooklyn Lottering
Nokuthula Mabuza
Lwazi Mdluli
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi

Percussion:
Tebogo Machaba
Luke Buckland
Abongile Matyutyu

Costumes by Tamzyn Botha with Sinenhlanhla Zwane, Elliot Jaundz, Jabulile Mangqangwane, Happy Simelane & Hilda Ntshudisane

Ships by David Gara

Huge thanks to the support crew:
Bafana Zembe
Edward Choeu
Sindisiwe Mjali
Metja Ledwaba
Philani Masedi
Melusi Masike
Kganyapa Kganyapa
Ayanda Dludla
Mia Snyman
Andile Mgeyi


Pics by:
frames 1, 3, 8, 12, 15co.za frames 2,4,5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10

It is an unmatched joy to make theatre with people you love 🔥

Can't wait to watch this ship set sail 🛸

04/03/2026

For the last few weeks, I have had the immense privilege to witness the unfolding of a new work 'Isitha Sabantu'. The play is inspired by Henrik Ibsen's timeles play ‘An Enemy of the People’ as well as the courage and legacy of assassinated environmental defender Mam Fikile Ntshangase.

Opening at the Market Theatre this Sunday, the production features a cast of twelve, led by by Mpume Mthombeni, Tony Miyambo, Billy Langa, Minenhle Skhosana, Zesuliwe Hadebe and Sabelo Sekgoto.

Set in a rural Zululand village known as Hlanzeka, the school headmistress, Mam Nomsa, conducts the church choir whose hymns drift across the hills and intermingle with those sung by women out in the fields. However the bonds that knit the community begin to fray when residents discover that their lives and homes lie directly in the path of a planned new coal mine.

Soon the growl of machines reverberates across the same valley, poisoning the hearts and minds of the people of Hlanzeka along with the water and land. Mam Nomsa leads the charge against the land-hungry mine and fosters resistance to defend her home and people.

Churches, school halls, fields and kitchens become her battle grounds as she attempts to unite her community against the destructive “progress” that wears an all too familiar face.

The production features incredible music, song and puppets as well as a new script that will move you to tears and then, hopefully, stir you into action against the scourge of corrupt mining practice that threatens our country and our Earth!

Empatheatre will also host three Citizen Assemblies during the run of 'Isitha Sabantu'. The Assemblies, on the mornings of Monday 9, Friday 13 and Monday 16 March from 9am to 12.30pm, will allow time to collectively reflect on the play’s themes, to share testimonies, and to engage in public dialogue around the lived realities of environmental defenders.

Booking for the play and Citizen Assemblies is through Webtickets.

Do not miss!

19/02/2026

Behold! Something epic this way comes...

We are absolutely thrilled to be working on a new large-scale, choral mask project for 2026 along with and the most incredible cast of Jozi physical theatre performers.

'The Herald' is a chorus of other-wordly outsiders, come to bear witness to a Planet in turmoil. They are not here to judge or to save, but rather, to watch and see. They are wondering what the hell us Earthlings think we are gonna do next on this strange planet, exploding with hope and despair.

Can't wait to see what is unearthed over the next few months with such a super team.

Thanks to Afrika Burn for providing the support so that we can play, explore and experiment 💕

Watch this space 🍂🦗🪶🐦‍🔥