Andrew Buckland is back at the Baxter Flipside with his latest, award-winning The Fool’s Guide… To Living and Dying, from 4 to 15 August 2026 at 19:30 with Saturday matinees at 14:30.

Written by Andrew and Janet Buckland, with Janet directing the hilarious and highly physical journey through the world of contemporary tech, ably navigated with the virtuoso skill of an actor at the peak of his powers.

The production explores the human condition in the age of social media and AI, with Buckland unleashing this fast-paced comic thriller filled with surreal characters, twists and surprises as Milton Yonaire (played by Buckland) races to save his son Billy from the TechBro Overlords.

Along the way, a devoted fan, a vulnerable Teacup Yorkie and mysterious robot vacuum cleaner add to the chaos that ensues. Funny, strange and thought-provoking, the production blends raucous comedy, poignant storytelling and Buckland’s signature clowning to deliver a wildly theatrical adventure.

“Will Milton Yonaire be able to save his son Billy, before the TechBro Overlords do their worst?” Buckland probes. “Can TechBro Billy survive the exploitation of a corrupt social media platform? Can his greatest fan, The FaNarrator protect her Teacup Yorkie, called Porky, from the assassination plot by Chad, the head of the TechBro Overlords? What is the secret carried by the Home Robot Vacuum Cleaner?”

The production is widely celebrated by critics as a brilliant and timely theatrical triumph. The Critter called it “… probably the most superbly performed modern-day cautionary tale you are likely to witness by a solo storyteller, driven by “tech bros” as the malevolent force.”

The Cape Robyn echoed this, describing the show as “a wacky, wry, hilarious, and clever wild car ride through the AI-influenced landscape of ours, in which humans are being disintermediated.”

Broadway World emphasised that “the exquisite contrast between the subject and the method is itself a statement, and a very funny one at that.” The Daily Maverick highlighted the profound emotional core of the piece, noting that “Buckland does not merely transport you, he raises your spirit, creates magic in the room, makes you remember how cool it is to be a living, breathing, feeling human being capable of thought, imagination and original ideas.”

The Fool’s Guide was nominated for three Kannas – best debut production drama, best director and it won best actor. At the National Arts Festival, it won an ovation, with Janet winning the Standing Ovation for her direction of Fool’s Guide. 

Since 1980, Andrew, in collaboration with his partner, Janet Buckland, has been consistently producing a world class series of performances based very firmly on physicality and the power of the whole body of the performer to interrogate universal questions. Each performance has been focussed on satirical and parodic investigations of the human condition, which engaged with politics, and issues of social justice, yet these investigations have been always in the world of the Clown, the Fool and steeped in the belief of the redemptive and transcendent power of laughter.

Buckland describes himself as addicted to the sound of the laughter of people. His shows include The Mime, Touchstones, No Easy Walk, The Ugly Noo Noo, Between the Teeth, Bloodstream, (with Lionel Newton) Feedback (with Lionel Newton), The Water Juggler, The Well Being (with Lionel Newton and Lara Foot), Laugh the Buffalo, Crazy in Love with Rob Murray), Firefly (with Sylvaine Strike), The Fool’s Guide…to living and dying…

The Fool’s Guide… to living and dying is presented by Mouthpeace and was commissioned by the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees 2026. The production runs at the Baxter Flipside for a limited season from 4 to 15 August 2026. There is an age restriction of 12 years.

Booking is now open via Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores. For discounted block bookings, fundraisers and charities, e-mail Mark Dobson at mark.dobson@uct.ac.za or call him on 021 680 3972.

For further media enquiries, interviews, or image requests, please contact Shireen Fisher on 021 680 3963 or via e-mail at shireen.fisher@uct.ac.za, or Fahiem Stellenboom on 021 680 3971 or via e-mail at fahiem.stellenboom@uct.ac.za.

Fahiem Stellenboom
fahiem.stellenboom@uct.ac.za
072 265 6023
Baxter Theatre
http://www.baxter.co.za