A new solo production dedicated to the public career and private life of Albie Sachs, an anti-apartheid activist who survived trauma and a Constitutional Court judge, opens at Baxter Theatre in Cape Town from October 13 to October 31, 2026.
The play, titled 'Albie Sachs: Fathers, Sons and Gentle Revenge,' is written by Gail Lowe and directed by Fiona Ramsay, with Graham Hopkins in the lead role.
The production is described as 'poetic, intimate, and deeply human,' offering 'a portrait of an idealistic young activist, a survivor, a devoted father, and a philosophical elder.'
Sachs' commitment to justice began at the age of seventeen when he joined demonstrations against apartheid. His activism eventually led to exile and an assassination attempt in Maputo, Mozambique, in 1988. There, a bomb planted by apartheid-era security forces inflicted serious injuries upon him, including the loss of an arm and vision in one eye.
The play explores his journey of physical recovery alongside his core belief in the concept of 'gentle revenge.' This philosophy is presented in the production as 'the idea that achieving a free and democratic society based on human rights and justice represents a victory over oppression,' thereby 'replacing the desire for bitter retribution.'
Director Fiona Ramsay noted that staging his story provides the creative team with a 'rich emotional and dramatic field.' Ramsay emphasized: 'His story is simultaneously epic and intimate—encompassing resistance, loss, recovery, and fatherhood.' She added that the production reflects not only Sachs' events and actions but also his personality: 'his moral vision, emotional resilience, and unwavering idealism.'
Ramsay also stated that Sachs remains an 'inspiring figure who overcame immense adversity,' predicting that 'audiences will leave not only with knowledge but also feeling transformed by this experience.' Performances run Monday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinee shows available on Saturdays at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available online via Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores.