Breaking the Closet: Coming Out Stories

ABOUT

Breaking the Closet is proud to present our third collection of comics, personalities, and all-around awesome LGBTQIA+ folk. As we listen to heartwarming (and often hilarious) stories from ‘behind the closet doors’ as well as sizzling anecdotes from life on the queer scene in Cape Town. This production is a collaboration between Nicola Date and Eugene Mathews through their respective production companies; Compass Rose Collection and Comedy R Us SA. Breaking the Closet seeks to inspire, uplift, and encourage those in the LGBTQIA+ community - as well as demystifying the coming out process for those who aren’t a part of the community themselves.

Our host for the evening is Nicola Date. Hailing from Johannesburg, Nicola is a jack of all trades and lover of creative exploration. Her extensive experience spans events, theatre performance, design, PR, and copywriting. Nicola recently launched her new business, Compass Rose Collection, a lifestyle brand, with co-owner Heine J.van As and is content production manager for a digital marketing company.

Joining her is an icon of gay comedy in the Mother City, Eugene Mathews. Eugene is no stranger to the stage, having etched himself into the concrete of South Africa's comedy scene. His work as co-presenter/producer of Bush Radio's LGBTQIA+ show, The Salon, was awarded an EvH Pink Award in the Media category; the annual Cape Town Pride LGBTQIA+ Comedy Show that he curates is always a successful affair; his 'beat ignorance with excellence' approach to homophobia has yielded positive results; and his debut one-person comedy special, The Relaunch of Gina, has garnered rave reviews.

Saya Pierce-Jones, is a familiar face and voice in the Cape Town media scene and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Saya is a passionate advocate for woman's rights and GBV prevention. When she's not seeking the truth, she can be found on stage as a hilarious stand-up comedian.

Candace Neilson is a mother, a recovering addict, a skilled performer, lover of kaas, comedy, storytelling, and laughing at her own indiscretions. Join Candace as she shares her own uncomfortable truths and gives us permission to laugh at our own questionable life choices as she claims her own so hilariously.

George Rose or ‘Just George’ is 63 and hails from Kensington. Involved in public speaking at GBV workshops as a means of stepping into the light through poetry and prose. Akhona is introverted but not shy and a lover of all things eccentric and beautiful. “The public should come through and see me because they may be able to resonate, considering the space & discussion at hand, resonance is nothing short of reassuring and comforting.”

Finally, Nicolas Henshilwood. A leftist Rottweiler to some and a lovable charmer to others; on the heels of his comedic debut, Nicolas spares no detail in sharing his experiences as a queer student, language fanatic, and proudly practicing-Jew in the gay community (and dating pool).

Breaking the Closet is the brainchild of Nicola Date and Eugene Mathews, who felt that it was essential to create a platform for LGBTQIA+ performers to share their stories and connect with audiences from all walks of life. Every show has been an incredible, safe, and poignant space, allowing our community to heal and celebrate. Whether you identify as heterosexual or you're a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, the stories are bound to be engaging, exciting, and sometimes hilarious.

This edition of Breaking the Closet will be taking place on Friday, 3 June 2022 at 7:00 pm, at The Two Eves coffee shop. Tickets cost just R60 and can be bought at Quicket.co.za.

All COVID protocols shall be in place. No mask, no entry.

For more information, feel free to email [email protected] or call 0837146974.