A celebration of sound, movement and collaboration in Cape Town’s performing arts scene

Tarryn Lamb will perform at the variety gala this coming weekend. Opening with acelebrationof stagecraft and heritage, the 2026 Variety Gala at Artscape Theatre Centre honours decades of performance history. Audiences can expect performances from organisations such asCape TownOpera, Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart Dance Theatre and Zip Zap Circus, alongside vocalists, choirs and solo artists including Jimmy Nevis, Craig Lucas, Sasha-Lee Davids, Tarryn Lamb and Anna Davel.

The Tygerberg Children’s Choir also joins the line-up, adding a youthful ensemble element. Conducted by Brandon Phillips, the gala blends orchestral arrangements with crossover performances, highlighting the diversity of South African talent in a shared theatrical space. “Another One Bites the Dust” pulses through the imagination as Killer Queen celebrates the larger-than-life spirit of Queen through movement, music and theatrical flair.

The production leans into themes of identity, rebellion and self-expression, reflecting how the band broke boundaries in sound and style. At its core, the show explores fame and performance as both armour and vulnerability, echoing Freddie Mercury’s magnetic stage persona. Choreography drives the storytelling, turning iconic songs into physical expressions of power, freedom and emotion.

[paywall]

It’s less a tribute concert and more a reimagining of legacy, where music becomes a language for transformation, unity and unapologetic individuality. Audiences can expect a fast-paced, two-act performance featuring young local talent bringing Freddie Mercury’s theatrical spirit back to life on stage.

[/paywall]