‘Boet & Sus’ calls attention to drag culture

MICHAEL KAYUNDE WINDHOEK Written and directed by multidisciplinary artist Lize Ehlers, Boet & Sus is a combination of a talk show and drag show. The production will be streamed online until 28 February.In an interview with tjil, Ehlers said the theatre production connects the similarities and differences between a Coloured or Baster person - feeling somewhere in the middle - versus a drag queen - who knows exactly what they want to achieve with the art, namely entertainment, escape and comfort. Describing the experience of working on her first online production and how it impacted the overall final production, the director said performing for a live audience is always the epitome of any theatre experience. ‘Challenging metamorphosis’“The production itself was initially written to incorporate audience interaction and response.“During the process, the National Theatre of Namibia challenged me to adapt the script to incorporate filming the production for online view.“We were simply responding to the pandemic. This formed part of the challenging metamorphosis that this production went through during the pandemic,” she said.Ehlers added that they went on a rollercoaster of emotions to make the show come to life. Full circle“It has come full circle with the streaming, with responses including ‘I had the best laugh of my life’, or ‘it was so authentic and real, I felt you were telling my story’,” she shared.Ehlers stars as Sus, a Coloured woman from Mariental who has experienced various racist incidents but maintains that life is full of colour and possibility. Adriano Visagie stars as Alaska, a mature drag queen with an attitude and many dreams. “It also stars Rodelio Lewis and Roberto Meneguzzo, who in the production take on the characters of Miss Mavis andGigi Has Arrived,” the director said.To stream ‘Boet & Sus’, ntn.org.na, purchase a ticket and follow the instructions.

‘Boet & Sus’ calls attention to drag culture

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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‘Boet & Sus’ calls attention to drag culture

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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