Local actor shines on Joburg stage

Francois Jacobs lives in Westdene and is an actor, director and producer who is taking the performing arts world by storm.

“I produced and co-directed my first theatre show in 2019 at the Innibos Arts Festival with a piece called Betroudag which was a sellout,” he said.

From there it has been nothing but good fortune for the actor who now graces the stage at the Joburg Theatre in Saturday Night at the Palace.

The show is about two working-class whites during apartheid navigating a tense situation which highlights prejudice and anger.

“South Africa is a constant struggle with sometimes clashing cultures. The play is a glimpse of how things were ‘back then’ and shows the similarities of current experiences today.”

The multi-award-winning play was written in 1982 by award-winning playwright and actor Paul Slabolepszy and produced to acclaim the following year.

Joburg Theatre artistic director James Ngcobo said, “While apartheid no longer exists as a political system, the existence of entrenched racism, not only in our society but globally, still inflicts ugly wounds that need to be healed and deep scars that need to be exposed.”

Jacobs added the performing arts have always been his passion since childhood. He received his performing arts degree from Stellenbosch University but has since made Johannesburg his home where he has lived for 12 years. “I love this city and Westdene is an amazing place to live with its great vibe and amazing people.”

00When asked what advice he would give inspiring actors, he said, “Be prepared to work hard and don’t take no for an answer. Work at your skills and your craft and make yourself a better actor than your peers.
“Love what you do, and you’ll do what you love.”

Saturday Night at the Palace opened last week. To book tickets visit www.joburgtheatre.com

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