Festival Enterprise Catalyst supports new theatre works at the 2026 Suidoosterfees
A powerful lineup of original South African theatre takes centre stage at this year’s Suidoosterfees, with five new works supported by the Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC) — a national initiative investing in the creation and touring of new festival work.
From sharp social comedies to haunting dramas, these productions represent the next wave of South African storytelling — rooted in community, language, and lived experience.
The 2026 FEC-Supported Productions at Suidoosterfees are:
Die Een Wat Bly
A moving exploration of resilience and belonging, Die Een Wat Bly asks what it means to hold onto home — and to history — in a world of constant change. Told through poetic dialogue and striking visuals, it’s a work about endurance, identity, and love that won’t let go.
Kompoun
Set against the backdrop of Cape Town’s forgotten yards and shared spaces, Kompoun captures the rhythm, humour, and unspoken hierarchies of communal life. It’s an ensemble-driven piece that balances sharp observation with heartfelt humanity.
Laaitie Mettie Biscuits
Funny, fast, and full of heart, Laaitie Mettie Biscuits follows a young dreamer with a knack for getting into trouble — and finding unlikely wisdom along the way. This coming-of-age story celebrates small victories, family, and the sweetness of survival.
Sonde met die spoke
A ghost story with a conscience, Sonde met die spoke delves into the past that refuses to rest. Blending humour and the supernatural, the play examines guilt, forgiveness, and the echoes that linger in our communities long after the truth is buried.
Stinkhout
In Stinkhout, a finely tuned domestic drama, secrets and silences grow thick as the titular tree. The play unearths the tensions between generations, progress and tradition — and the things that continue to bind us, even when we try to break free.
Investing in the Future of South African Theatre
Through the Festival Enterprise Catalyst, these productions are not only being staged at Suidoosterfees, but are also being given the opportunity to tour and reach new audiences at other major festivals. The initiative — a collaboration between leading South African festivals and partners — provides funding, mentorship, and development support for emerging and mid-career artists to take their work further.
“These productions are bold, beautifully crafted and deeply local — the kind of work that reminds us why festivals matter,” says an FEC spokesperson. “The Festival Enterprise Catalyst is helping us give artists the room to take risks and tell stories that speak directly to South Africans.”