Since its world premiere just three years ago at the Absa Aardklop Festival in Potchefstroom, the production has already scooped 15 major South African theatre awards, and it was highly praised by some of England’s most revered and feared theatre critics when it was performed at the Tricycle in London last year.

The cast who bring the story to life are Zoleka Helesi; Mdu Kweyama; Bongile Mantsai; Thami Mbongo; Chuma Sopotela; and Apollo Ntshoko. The actors each perform a key character and double up to play multiple additional characters adding to the magic of the story.

Patrick Curtis is responsible for set and lighting design, Bongile Mantshai is the musical director and lyricist, Mdu Kweyma is responsible for choreography and Koos Marais and Henning Lüdeke for props and costumes.

Performed in English with isiXhosa, the story takes place in a remote and impoverished village in the Karoo, where the inhabitants are struggling to survive. A young girl called Thozama ends up killing a moose. But what is the moose doing there, and how did it get there?

The play was originally written as a film entitled No Fathers. Writer and Director, Lara tackles the disintegration of the family unit and the violation of innocence endured by so many South African children. The play cleverly and creatively combines African story-telling and magical realism.

Lara explains, “The themes of the story for me were bound up in the idea that the children in the village needed some kind of magical event to free them from abuse, neglect and poverty. Something magical was needed to break the cycle of violence.”

At the Aardklop Festival in 2007 the production received the Aardvark Award for the Most Innovative Work and the cast collectively received the Best Actor Award. It was also nominated for Best Production. Theatre critic, Anton Krueger, described it as “a theatre for the senses,” while Arts Editor, Dianne de Beer, one of the Aardklop judges, called it "overwhelming" and “an exceptional work.” Herman van der Westhuizen, Chairman of the panel of judges, said: “the theatre-style is fresh – African storytelling; song; music; visual theatre; rituals; and healing theatre. It shifts the boundaries of traditional South African drama to a palette of magical realism; folk tale; story-telling; and musical theatre.”

Karoo Moose will be performed at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio for two weeks only from 27 July to 7 August. Booking is through on 083 915 8000, online at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Ticket prices range from R70 for the Baxter Monday special offer, which includes a light meal and show, to R130 at weekends. Book for Karoo Moose and Staceyann Chin in Border/Clash: A Litany of Desires, currently on in the same venue, and running until 24 July, and pay only R60 per show.

For discounted block; corporate or school bookings; charities; or fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962; email [email protected]; or Carmen on 021 680 3993 or email [email protected].