AWARD-WINNING actress Bo Petersen returns to the Cape Town stage in her first full run in seven years at The Baxter next month. Her internationally acclaimed autobiographical work Pieces Of Me will be performed at the Baxter Studio from 10 July until 27 July.
Presented by ASSITEJ SA, Pieces Of Me is written and performed by Petersen, with music by Chris Petersen, who was one of the founders of The Jazz Yard Academy in Bonteheuwel. The production is directed by actor, musician and director, Royston Stoffels.
Pieces Of Me is a profoundly moving personal story of the unspoken histories many people carry within them. An exploration of family secrets, with resonances that still echo today. It explores questions about identity: “Who are you, if you can no longer be who you are?”
Petersen grew up in a white family in Apartheid South Africa. When she was 19 she uncovered her father’s secret. He was not white and had married the love of his life, who was. From the age of 28 he lived as a white man. When Petersen found out about her father’s hidden life, his secret, nearly 40 years ago, her life changed in a profound way. She became the custodian of his secret. She began writing “pieces” as a way of trying to understand her father, his “passing” and in turn, her “passing”. They were collaborators in their knowledge and silence.
What began as a solo show has now excitingly been expanded, with Petersen’s cousin, musician Christopher Petersen, joining her on stage. This is a wonderful opportunity for Cape audiences to catch Petersen before she returns to the US.
Bookings can be made at Webtickets.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ingrid Fadnes
