Under the Fig Tree at the Baxter

From the team that brought audiences the hit plays Is Ja! and Fourplay comes this story of sensual and prohibited love, written by Stephen Simm and directed by Gaerin Hauptfleish with set and production design by Leo Senekal. The original music score features live musicians Faizel Davids, Yazeed Williams and Gertjie Besselsen.

Producer and actress Lawrenson, well-known for her role as the inimitable Paula van der Leq in the popular soapie Sewende Laan, shows that the stage will always be her first love as she tackles the roles of Anna and Beth (Elizabeth). She cut her teeth in television programmes like Egoli, Speelding and Backstage and has received several awards and nominations for various performances. She last performed at the Baxter Studio in 2004 in the adult drama Fourplay and recently received the ATKV Media Veertjie for favourite soap actress.

Also a multiple-award-winning actor, singer and producer, Abrahams, who started out as Broertjie in David Kramer's District Six, plays Peter and Jake (Jacob). In 1999 he was a joint winner the prestigious Olivier Award as one of the cast in the hit musical Kat and the Kings and went on to receive a Tony nomination on Broadway. On television he has appeared in Fishy Fêshuns, Backstage, Hard Copy (for which he received a South African Film and Television award) and Sewende Laan. Most recently he performed the title role in Die Ballade van Koos Sas at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in Oudtshoorn.

Under the Fig Tree is an intimate modern-day story that may have happened a hundred years ago, even centuries ago, but which could still happen today. What happens when you fall in love with someone you can't have? In a world of tradition, a time of intrigue and with a history filled with secrets, there is only one thing you can trust - two young couples break the rules and trust their hearts.

Just one month before their wedding, Beth (played by Lawrenson) and Jake, (played by Abrahams) are having serious doubts about what is supposed to be a celebratory occasion for them. But it seems that the wedding is in jeopardy as their relationship turns into more of a battle and the young couple is overwhelmed by the interference of their families.

With the relationship at breaking point, Jake begins to read letters which Beth gave him and discovers the secret that links their two stories. The box contains old letters which turns out to be the passionate correspondence between Anna and Peter, also an interracial couple and lovers from a past century. Slowly he begins to understand that it is our internal obstacles and ghosts which threaten us the most.

“The characters in the play discover that forbidden love in all its different guises is not a contemporary dilemma. It has been around for centuries and they are forced to face the pasts that haunt their families,” explains Diaan.

“In a world that often is a terrifying place, it is still our internal demons that can be the most frightening,” says playwright Simm. “And never more frightening than when shared with a lover, because then you have two sets of demons on the playing field. And that delicate negotiation is where we find the most pain and the most joy.”

This is Stephen Simms' eighth play. For the past five years he has been writing for television (Scandal, Gaz'lam). In 2006 his satirical comedy went from stage to page to become his first published novel, Miss Kwa Kwa Traditional Weapon. It was short listed for an EU literary award and received great acclaim. A year later his follow-up novel, The Dark Side of the Braai, was published.

Director Gaerin Hauptfleish has directed over 50 stage productions and written 25 plays - of which 24 have been performed at theatres and arts festivals countrywide. Among them are Trek, Boetman is Bedônit and Die Keiser.

Set and production designer Leo Senekal has worked on productions such as The Mysteries, The Silver Lake and West Side Story. After his success in South Africa, he moved abroad where he was commissioned by London Broomhill Opera Company and the Urban Spaceman Company. While in the UK he designed various productions, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and Sweeney Todd.

Under the Fig Tree, produced by Jester Productions, previews at the Baxter Studio from May 5 and 6, opens on 7 and runs until 30th. Ticket prices range from R85 to R120 and the Baxter Monday special of R55 (light meal and show) applies.

Book through Computicket on 083 915 8000, on-line at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962 or Yandiswa on 021 680 3991 during office hours.

For further media and interview opportunities or photograph requests, contact Fahiem Stellenboom, Marketing Manager, Baxter Theatre Centre, on 021 680 3971, cell 072 2656 023 or email .