UJ Arts & Culture, working with The 3rd Theatre Collective, brings you Peeling Shadows, directed by Joël Leonard and Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi. The production uses a carefully controlled visual style, combining live illustration, shadow theatre, and physical performance. These elements come together to create scenes that shift and change in real time. Each moment is put together with care, focusing not only on the story itself but also on how it unfolds on stage.
At the centre of the story is Pamela Jack, a former detective whose career has fallen apart. She is dealing with the loss of her professional reputation while trying to investigate a corruption case linked to the well-known Gumede family. This wealthy family has avoided justice for years, always staying just out of Pamela’s reach.
On the day she resigns from the South African Police Force, she meets Boang, a quiet and mysterious child. Boang’s presence changes everything. The child brings unexpected insight that goes beyond Pamela’s experience, shifting the direction of the investigation. Together, they are drawn into a shadowy world inside the abandoned Gumede home, where the full truth about the family’s crimes is revealed. With Boang’s help, Pamela is finally able to track down the criminals who have long escaped justice.
The story reflects real issues in South Africa today. It touches on accountability, failure within institutions, and questions around ethics. These themes connect with ongoing conversations about law enforcement and the justice system in the country.
While the production does not present itself as direct advocacy, it still connects with wider efforts to promote justice, transparency, and awareness. It speaks to the need for accountability and healing in communities affected by corruption. Through a mix of slapstick, shadow theatre, comedy, and illustration, the show aims to entertain while also encouraging audiences to think more deeply about these issues.
Presented in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, the show forms part of an ongoing effort to grow theatre programmes and build strong audiences for live performance. The UJ Bunting Theatre, which seats 180 people, creates an intimate space where the audience can fully engage with the performance and experience its details up close.
The team behind Peeling Shadows first came together through the Kwasha! Theatre Company incubation programme in 2020. The original production was created and performed by Wonder Ndlovu, Sboniso Thombeni, Mosehlana M'amaregane, Upile Bongco, Dintshitile Mashile, and Joël Leonard, under the guidance of Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi. Since then, the collective has continued to grow its work, performing both locally and internationally, including at the National Arts Festival. Now, with a new cast and a refreshed approach, Peeling Shadows continues this journey, bringing an award-winning production into a focused and intimate theatre space.
Performance Details
Dates & Times
19–23 May 2026 (Week 1)
Tue–Fri | 19:00
Sat | 15:00 & 19:00
26–30 May 2026 (Week 2)
Tue–Fri | 19:00
Sat | 15:00 & 19:00
For any queries, please contact [email protected]
Tickets are available via Quicket
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Venue: UJ Bunting Theatre, Bunting Road Campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Languages: English, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi
Age Restriction: 12+
Genre: Comedy
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