The Unlikely Secret Agent

Based on the Alan Paton Award winning book by Ronnie Kasrils and written and directed by award winning director and playwright Paul du Toit, THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT tells the true story of one woman’s bravery and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, in service of a better world for everyone.

“I am thrilled that the dramatic story of a young woman's courageous battle with the South African security police in the 1960's, is coming to the stage. This is a brilliant script about what led a single mother to join Umkhonto we Sizwe, and how she managed to defeat her interrogators. Erika Breytenbach-Marais has captured Eleanor, my girlfriend at the time, quite brilliantly. You will question yourself - could you have stood up against apartheid as this slender young woman did?“ - Ronnie Kasrils.

It’s 1963, South Africa. The country is on a knife edge. Political protest, sabotage and violence engulfs the country. The Apartheid government, under Hendrik Verwoerd, brutally suppresses resistance. Under the State of Emergency, the feared Special Branch of the police arrest anyone suspected of being involved in underground activities.

Eleanor, an unassuming, young single mother is arrested at Griggs Bookstore where she works in Durban and taken for questioning. The police are on the hunt for her lover, the notorious “terrorist”, Red Ronnie Kasrils. She finds herself detained under the 90-day detention act and brutally interrogated. They will “break her or hang her”.

Ronnie is wanted for his involvement in a string of sabotage bombings of electricity pylons, the Durban post office and the offices of the Special Branch. There is no point in her resisting, the police “know everything”.

But do they really? Eleanor is keeping a secret. She is a clandestine agent for the Underground ANC. But she must protect her comrades and Ronnie. She makes the daring decision to fake a nervous breakdown in order to be transferred to a psychiatric institution. From there, she begins to plot her escape

“Powerful performances…a gripping piece of theatre” – Cape Robyn

“Full of courage and heart.” – Broadway World

“In equal measures chilling and heart-warming…” – Broadway World

“Packed with adrenaline and excitement and danger.” – Daily Maverick

“…This is what the country needs to be reminded of…” – Scene It

‍Don’t miss this limited run. Book now for matinee and evening performances.

Others Details

Category: Arts | Performing Arts | Theatre

Artist: Erika Breytenbach-Marais De Klerk Oelofse Wessel Pretorius Sanda Shandu Ntlanhla Kutu