Far Gone, a war drama depicting a young boy’s experience with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda, is set to arrive in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre and at the Joburg Theatre in November, captivating South Africans.
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The play delves into themes of childhood, innocence, child soldiery, and trauma through the narrative of a boy named Okumu, whose life is irrevocably altered following an attack on his village. This critically acclaimed war drama, Far Gone, is a fictionalised account inspired by the real-life experiences of John Rwothomack, who co-produced the play.
If I invited you to come with me on a journey, a story, will you come with me?
When the LRA attacks Okumu’s village, the lives of him and his brother are irrevocably altered. Drawing inspiration from John Rwothomack’s own harrowing experience of nearly being abducted by the LRA, Far Gone presents a deeply poignant narrative of a young boy’s transformation from innocent childhood to that of a child soldier. This tale is conveyed through a blend of humour, poetry, and striking physical theatre, with Okumu’s journey resonating deeply through a compelling one-man performance.
This play is not about me, the kid who was lucky enough to escape. This play is for the hundred of thousands who did not. For the future generations who will continue to suffer the traum the LRA has imprined on them, for many years to come – John Rwothomack
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Renowned for its authentic storytelling and impactful performances, Far Gone has enchanted theatre enthusiasts worldwide, and now South Africa, particularly Cape Town and Johannesburg, will experience it firsthand for the very first time.
The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town is set to host the production from November 11–15, after which it will transfer to Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg from November 19–22, as part of an ambitious new tour that spans four continents.
In an exclusive with Main News, Rwothomack stated, “As an artist, it’s one thing to work internationally. To tour your own work globally feels incredibly special. We are humbled to take this important piece of work across four continents. I hope the heartbreaking story will resonate with South African audiences and those around the world.”
Directed by Nigerian theatre-maker Mojisola Kareem and originally co-produced with Sheffield Theatres, Far Gone combines humour, poetry, and physical theatre to delve into the tragic consequences of child abductions by LRA which forcibly recruited tens of thousands of children throughout Central and East Africa.
The production received widespread critical acclaim during its UK tour in 2022, achieving five-star ratings. The ongoing international tour commenced in September, starting with a series of performances at Sheffield Theatres’ Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, followed by shows at The Lowry in Manchester, the Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Arts Festival, the Feng Dance International Gala, and National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan.
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Established in 2021 by John Rwothomack, creative producer Sam Holland, and digital director Smart Banda, Roots Mbili Theatre is dedicated to highlighting narratives from Africa and the African diaspora. The company’s latest production, Lines, concluded its tour in 2024, culminating at New York’s La Mama Theatre.
Rwothomack’s motivation is deeply personal, “I made a promise to myself that I would tell this story one day. These guerrilla groups and child kidnappings are still a reality around the world; we have to show that in a truthful way. When I finished training as an actor, I thought the theatre scene was not set up to represent my voice, nor that of many others. So I knew if I wanted to be truly heard, I would have to build a space to do it. At Roots Mbili Theatre, we are dedicated to pinpointing views and stories that are not on the radar of theatre to give them the platform they deserve.”
Event Details
Cape Town
Venue: The Baxter Theatre Centre – The Lessor
Dates: 11–15 November 2025
Time: 20:00
Price: R150 – R200
Direct Cape Town booking link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1564776573
Johannesburg
Venue: The Lesedi Theatre, Joburg Theatre
Dates: 19–22 November 2025
Time: 19:30
Price: R150
Direct Joburg booking link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1574483304