Beautiful World is a powerful, original South African musical that follows five strangers on a journey of healing, connection, and rediscovery. Each character faces a personal storm—but when their paths unexpectedly intertwine, a deeper story unfolds. Can a girl with cancer, a broken artist, a weary businessman, a hopeful doctor, and a man living under a bridge really help each other build something beautiful?
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A Beautiful World debuts at Drostdy Theatre this Heritage Day 24 September 2025 Stellenbosch, South Africa– On Heritage Day, 24 September 2025, Beautiful World, a new South African musical, will light up the stage at the historic Drostdy Theatre with two performances at 15:00. This moving production features five exceptional performers—sourced directly from the community—who are ready to take their place on the world stage.
The Bosch Heritage Project challenged creatives to find local talent and create sustainable jobs in the arts. The result: a powerhouse cast that not only sings and acts but has also been workshopped in business planning, marketing, and independent music careers.
The musical’s cornerstone anthem is inspired by 45-second Grammy speeches—distilled dreams from global stars, turned into one powerful song. Rooted in the universal hero’s journey and crafted through a recent cross-country musical theatre collaboration (Cabaret and Beyond), Beautiful World blends heartfelt storytelling with original South African flair.
Creator Marthie Nel, a participant in the groundbreaking Music Business Lab supported by SAMRO, brings deep insight into an evolving industry. “We are at the beginning of a seismic shift,” she says. “South Africa’s music landscape is opening up, and it’s time for new voices to rise. My dream has always been to make Stellenbosch the Nashville of South African music.”
CAST:
• Nina - Owam Doro: a brave, spirited teenager battling cancer who longs to leave a legacy of joy.
• Dr. Sam - Ethan Pieterse: a young doctor with a heart for healing the world but who wrestles with his own sense of purpose.
• Maya – Talitha Qwala: a gifted painter who only paints in black, stuck in grief until a surprising burst of colour arrives.
• Paul – Given Nqampi: a successful businessman facing the end of the road—until a mysterious call summons him to something new.
• Joe – Theo van der Westhuizen: a soulful guitarist who lives under a bridge, hiding a painful past and a heart full of music.
With unforgettable original songs, this story explores how ordinary people—through music, art, and vulnerability—can move from isolation to community. Anchored by a show-stopping finale inspired by Grammy Award speeches, Beautiful World is a celebration of courage, second chances, and South African creativity.
This is how we built Beautiful World: by believing in our communities, creating platforms for raw voices, and connecting stories that need to be told. From isolated individuals to a united ensemble, our vision became reality through the power of collaboration and the shared heartbeat of Stellenbosch.
The Drostdy Theatre has recently also introduced the Loop System, a technology designed to assist people with hearing aids or cochlear implants in public spaces, including theatres. It transmits sound directly to the user's hearing device, reducing background noise and improving sound clarity. Three rows of seats at the back of the theatre have been dedicated to this which can be booked beforehand(ROW J - L).
