Samson is an apocalyptic dance-music-theatre piece, based on the popular Old Testament hero myth of loss, betrayal and rage and interpreted on a rich visual canvas, with haunting choreography, soaring vocals and live electronica. In era of intolerance and polarization, a young man with a mission channels the fury of his oppressed people and inflicts terror on the population that he holds accountable for their subjugation. As the body count mounts and war surges, Delilah – an ambivalent enemy agent – seduces and ritually castrates him. His brutal punishment in the detention facilities of the authorities spurs him to an act of suicidal devastation.

Production Details

National Arts Festival: 27 – 29 June 2019

Produced by the Third World Bunfight.

Book and lyrics: Brett Baily. Music: Shane Cooper.

Producers: Third World Bunfight, co-produced by Woordfees and the National Arts Fetival. Producer and General Manager: Barbara Mathers. Created with the support of The National Lotteries Commission South Africa and Insitut Francaise d’Afrique du Sud.

Director: Brett Bailey. Choreographer: Vincent Mantsoe. Design: Brett Bailey. Lighting Designer: Wolz Britz. Art Work: Brett Bailey and Tanya P Johnson. Video Animation: Kirsti Cumming. Sound Engineer and Design: Marcel Bezuidenhout. Technical Production Manager: Kobus Rossouw. Stage Manager: Namhla Kalipa.

Musical Director: Shane Cooper.

Reviews: None filed. Overall Review Score: TBC.

Marketing Materials and Photographs

Back to Samson

Something missing? Want to add or correct information? Please email the South African Musical Theatre Archive with the details, using the contact details at the top of the page