A powerful one-person play exploring the life, resilience, family and philosophy of South African human rights icon Albie Sachs.

The remarkable life and philosophy of Albie Sachs comes to the stage in Albie Sachs: Fathers, Sons and Soft Vengeance, presented at the Baxter Studio from 13 to 31 October 2026.

Written by Gail Louw, directed by Fiona Ramsay and performed by Graham Hopkins, this one-person play explores the public and private life of one of South Africa’s most influential human rights figures.

The story follows Sachs from his early commitment to the struggle against apartheid through exile, the 1988 car-bomb attack in Mozambique that left him without an arm and sight in one eye, and his remarkable journey of recovery.

But this is not simply a story about political history.

Told through Sachs’ own voice, the production also looks at his relationships as a son and father, including his relationship with his father, Solly Sachs, and his experience of becoming a father later in life to his youngest son, Oliver.

At the heart of the play is the idea of “soft vengeance”, Sachs’ belief that creating a free, democratic and humane South Africa founded on justice and human rights was a more meaningful response to oppression than seeking retribution.

The result is an intimate theatrical portrait of an idealistic young activist, survivor, constitutional architect, father and philosophical elder.

Following its earlier 2026 season at Theatre on the Square in Sandton, the production now comes to Cape Town for a limited Baxter Studio season.

EVENT DETAILS

Dates: Tuesday, 13 – Saturday, 31 October 2026
Evening Performances: 8:00 PM
Saturday Matinees: 3:00 PM
Venue: Baxter Studio, Baxter Theatre Centre
Location: Rondebosch, Cape Town
Production: Troupe Theatre Company and Baxter Theatre, in association with Daphne Kuhn
Written by: Gail Louw
Directed by: Fiona Ramsay
Starring: Graham Hopkins
Genre: Drama | Biography | South African Theatre

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Albie Sachs: Fathers, Sons and Soft Vengeance is a poetic theatrical biography that brings together the personal and political dimensions of Sachs’ life.

Rather than presenting only the public figure, the production explores the human experiences behind the history: family, trauma, recovery, fatherhood, forgiveness and the search for a more humane response to injustice.

The creative team includes Oliver Hauser on lighting design, Dean Pitman on sound design, with James Dee contributing the short-arm element and set design by Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins.

ABOUT ALBIE SACHS

Albie Sachs is a South African activist, lawyer and former Constitutional Court Justice whose life became closely associated with the country’s struggle against apartheid and its transition to democracy.

He joined the anti-apartheid struggle as a young man and spent years in exile before surviving a car-bomb attack in Mozambique in 1988.

Following the democratic transition, Sachs became one of the architects of South Africa’s new constitutional order and served on the Constitutional Court from 1994 until his retirement in 2009.

His philosophy of “soft vengeance” reflects his belief in achieving justice through democracy, human rights and a humane society rather than through retaliation.

WHY ATTEND

• Experience a new South African one-person play based on an extraordinary life.
• See Graham Hopkins take on the role of Albie Sachs.
• Explore an important part of South Africa’s political and constitutional history through theatre.
• Discover the personal story behind a nationally significant public figure.
• Experience the production in the intimate Baxter Studio.
• Consider Sachs’ ideas about justice, forgiveness and “soft vengeance” through live performance.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Tickets
Bookings are available through Webtickets, including selected Pick n Pay stores.

Book Tickets: Webtickets – Albie Sachs: Fathers, Sons and Soft Vengeance

Venue Information: Baxter Theatre Centre
Please check the ticketing page for current prices, performance dates and availability before booking.

VENUE

Baxter Theatre Centre, Rondebosch, Cape Town

The Baxter Theatre Centre is a major Cape Town performing arts venue located on the University of Cape Town’s Lower Campus in Rondebosch.

Since opening in 1977, the Baxter has played an important role in Cape Town’s theatre and performing arts landscape, presenting South African and international productions across its theatre spaces.