Award-winning one-woman production arrives in Sandton after acclaimed performances in Sri Lanka and at the Hilton Arts Festival
Jessica Haines’ critically acclaimed one-woman production, Once Upon a Teacup, is set to make its highly anticipated Johannesburg debut at Theatre on the Square in Sandton from 28 July to 1 August 2026. Following a celebrated world premiere in Sri Lanka and glowing reviews at the Hilton Arts Festival in KwaZulu-Natal, the production promises an unforgettable theatrical experience for Johannesburg audiences.
Written and performed by Haines and directed by acclaimed theatre-maker James Cuningham, Once Upon a Teacup is a 70-minute production that blends physical theatre, visual storytelling, shadow theatre and object puppetry into a powerful exploration of imagination, identity and growing up.
A Powerful Story of Childhood, Imagination and Mental Health
At the heart of the production is Violet, a young girl growing up in Africa whose vivid imagination slowly collides with the realities and expectations of adulthood.
Written entirely in rhyming couplets, the play combines movement, light, shadow, expressive performance and minimalist props to create a visually rich and emotionally moving story.
Haines says the production explores how modern pressures — including social media, pop culture and the challenges of growing up — can slowly erode creativity and impact mental wellbeing.
“Once Upon a Teacup begins on a farm in KwaZulu-Natal, and I hope audiences will recognise many of the familiar characters I bring to life,” says Haines.
She explains that Violet’s journey ultimately celebrates the healing power of childhood memories and the enduring idea of home.
“I hope the story reconnects people with the child within them — the ability to play, imagine and create without limitation,” she adds.
A Critically Acclaimed International Production
The production has already earned widespread praise from theatre critics both locally and internationally.
Following its performance at the Hilton Arts Festival, reviewers applauded Haines’ exceptional physical performance, emotional depth and inventive storytelling. Critics described the production as a magical theatrical experience that seamlessly combines humour, vulnerability and visual artistry.
Its 2024 world premiere in Colombo, Sri Lanka also received outstanding reviews, with critics praising Haines’ energetic performance and the imaginative use of shadow theatre, lighting and simple props to tell a deeply layered story.
A Collaboration Between Two Acclaimed Theatre Artists
Once Upon a Teacup was inspired by Haines’ studies in shadow theatre under Norbert Gotz and Theatre der Schatten in Bamberg, Germany.
To bring the production to life, she collaborated with award-winning director James Cuningham, whose international career spans more than 60 theatre, film and television productions across 15 countries.
The partnership combines Cuningham’s internationally recognised directing expertise with Haines’ unique performance style, creating a theatrical experience that is intimate, inventive and emotionally resonant.
Jessica Haines’ International Creative Journey
Many audiences will recognise Jessica Haines from her acclaimed performance opposite John Malkovich in the film adaptation of Disgrace, based on the novel by J.M. Coetzee.
A graduate of the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and trained through the UCT Ballet School, Haines has appeared in productions including Home Affairs, Isidingo, Gazlam and Reyke.
Having spent recent years living and creating in Sri Lanka, Kenya and Uganda, Haines says those diverse cultural influences helped shape the visual language and storytelling style of Once Upon a Teacup.
She describes Sri Lanka as a creative renaissance that inspired a fresh artistic perspective rooted in mythology, ritual, movement and nature.
Why You Should See Once Upon a Teacup
This limited Johannesburg season offers audiences the chance to experience a unique blend of physical theatre, shadow play, poetry and visual storytelling rarely seen on local stages.
With themes of imagination, resilience, identity and healing, Once Upon a Teacup is both deeply personal and universally relatable, making it one of the standout theatre productions on Johannesburg’s arts calendar this winter.
Performance Details
Production: Once Upon a Teacup
Written and Performed by: Jessica Haines
Directed by: James Cuningham
Venue: Theatre on the Square, West Street, Sandown, Sandton
Dates: 28 July – 1 August 2026
Running Time: 70 minutes
Tickets: Available through Webtickets
