THEATRE REVIEW: Can Themba’s Classic The Suit at The Hull Street Theatre, Kimberley

A Northern Cape cast breathes new life into Can Themba’s timeless tale of love, betrayal, and punishment.

By Chepape Makgato 

James Lee’s latest stage adaptation of Can Themba’s The Suit, which ran at the Hull Street Theatre in Kimberley from 30 October to 2 November 2025, is a stirring and heartfelt revival of one of South Africa’s most iconic short stories.

Ontlamentse Semmo as Matilda and Thabo Motlhabi as Philemon. Pic: Facebook 

Originally written in 1963 but set in the 1950s, The Suit remains one of the most widely read and frequently adapted works in South African literature. Set in Sophiatown during apartheid, the story follows Philemon, a devoted husband who discovers his wife, Matilda, in bed with another man. As punishment, he forces her to carry her lover’s abandoned suit wherever she goes, treating it as an ever-present reminder of her betrayal. The story’s themes of love, humiliation, and punishment continue to resonate across generations.

The Suit has inspired countless adaptations and reinterpretations. Zukiswa Wanner’s 2006 short story, The Dress That Fed the Suit, reimagines the narrative through Matilda’s inner world, while Siphiwo Mahala’s The Suit Continued (2002) and The Lost Suit (2011) expand and transform the original plot in inventive ways. Few South African stories have left such a profound mark on the country’s literary and theatrical imagination.

As a theatre connoisseur I have watched the varied adaptations of this production many times of the years. Although I never witnessed the seminal 1993 stage adaptation by Mothobi Motloatse and Barney Simon for the Market Theatre, I am familiar with its influence on South African theatre. I did, however, attend Motloatse’s 2023 revival at the Joburg Theatre, featuring Vusi Kunene as Philmone and Khutso Green as Matilda, a compelling production that underscored The Suit’s enduring relevance. James Lee’s Kimberley adaptation proudly carries that torch forward, distinguished by its cast of Northern Cape–based talent and its sincere, community-centred spirit.

Thabo Motlhabi delivers a commanding performance as Philemon, balancing dignity, pain, and cruelty with emotional depth. Ontlametse Semmo’s Matilda is graceful and vulnerable, her portrayal both tender and tragic. Thapelo Letshabo, as the old man Maphikela, lends warmth and humour, grounding the play’s emotional tension. The charismatic Tlotlo Moeng excels as the narrator; a dynamic, dashing presence whose storytelling flair evokes the very essence of Can Themba himself.

The production’s Kwela-inspired costumes, Sophiatown-era set, and Kofifi-infused soundtrack conjure the atmosphere of the Drum magazine years with irresistible authenticity. The music, movement, and visual style together create a vivid portrait of the world that shaped Themba’s pen; vibrant, proud, and full of aching humanity.

Lee’s direction is assured and heartfelt, blending reverence for the source material with the exuberance of youth. His Suit is not merely another adaptation but a cultural celebration and a reminder of how local voices continue to keep South Africa’s literary heritage alive.

In all, The Suit at The Hull Street Theatre stands as a triumph of regional creativity and collaboration: a moving, visually rich, and deeply human production that confirms Kimberley’s potential growth stature on the national theatre landscape.

SAMANTHOLE ART FOUNDATION Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

A soulful, locally grounded revival of a South African classic that continues to inspire across generations.

The last show is a matinee today 2 November 2025 at 15h00 and the ticket is R100.

Chepape Makgato is an independent visual artist, freelance arts writer and curator. He is a Chief Curator at William Humphreys Art Gallery. He is a chairperson of the South African Museums Association Central (Free State and Northern Cape). He serves on the panel of Acquisition Committee of ArtBank South Africa. He has a Master's Degree in Fine Art from University of Witwatersrand and is completing his PhD candidate in Art and Music at UNISA. He is a Research Fellow in Faculty of Humanities at Sol Plaatje University. He is 2026 Senior Artist Fellow of Leuphana Institute of Advance Studies at Leuphana University of Luneburg in Germany.