FREE FALL
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Thu Mar 27, 20:00 - Sat Apr 12, 22:00
The Outlore Base
ABOUT
FREE FALL
A daring fusion of immersive theatre, contemporary dance, and installation art
Step into the raw and electrifying world of FREE FALL, an immersive dance-theatre production that plunges audiences into the seductive chaos of nightlife. Opening on 27 March 2025 at The Outlore Base, this bold production strips back the glamour of club culture to reveal its darker truths—substance-fueled escapism, toxic social pressures, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Dates: 27 March - 12 April
Times: 19:00 Doors Open
20:00 Performance Begins
Location: The Outlore Base
Tickets: R150
How It Works:
Buy a ticket on Quicket
Arrive at The Outlore Base, a warehouse on Hout Street transformed into a fully immersive nightclub theatre space
Mingle, have a drink, and soak in the atmosphere—until suddenly, the performance begins. The characters enter the club, and the story unfolds around you.
This bold and visceral production challenges audiences to rethink romantic ideals, social expectations, and the hidden costs of nightlife culture.
Don’t just watch—experience it!
Witten, directed and choreographed by Lee van der Merwe, FREE FALL is more than just a performance—it’s an unfiltered look at nightlife as both an intoxicating escape and a harsh mirror of societal struggles.
"Clubbing is the ultimate catalyst that brings out the worst (but also sometimes the best) aspects of humanity. It also reveals how morally grey our society is," says Van der Merwe. "It is an opportunity for the depraved, a trap for the vulnerable, a cesspool of toxic masculinity, triggering for those suffering with their mental health, isolating for the lonely and grieving, and tempting beyond measure for the addicted."
Set inside a real nightclub, the audience doesn’t just watch the performance—they live it. From the moment you enter The Outlore Base, a transformed warehouse in the heart of Cape Town, the line between reality and performance begins to blur. Cassidy (Bethany Mclachlan-Evans), Olivia (Claudia House), and Luc (Nkosinathi Mazwai) pull you into their world, where peer pressure, desire, and social validation dictate the night’s trajectory.
FREE FALL seamlessly integrates cutting-edge interactive installations by artist Emma Strong with the visionary immersive theatre direction of Kimberly Buckle and Liam Gillespie of The Outlore. Conceived by choreographer and theatre-maker Lee van der Merwe, this production is a daring fusion of immersive theatre, contemporary dance, and installation art.
A critical look at toxic masculinity, mental health & social pressures
Perhaps most provocatively, FREE FALL scrutinizes the entrenched dynamics of toxic masculinity. It examines outdated attitudes that equate acts of service with entitlement to a woman’s time, body, or attention—a mindset that not only taints intimate relationships but also leaves its characters grappling with confusion and disrespect. The show challenges audiences to critically reassess what it means to interact with empathy and mutual respect.
Beyond the external pressures of nightlife, the performance also offers a deeply personal exploration of mental health and grief. Through the turbulent journey of a character struggling to regain her footing after a painful breakup, FREE FALL lays bare the emotional chaos that comes with loss. Her raw vulnerability underscores the impact of mental health challenges, while her path toward healing serves as a powerful testament to resilience and self-reconstruction.
Main cast:
Cassidy (Bethany Mclachlan-Evans)
Olivia (Claudia House)
Luc (Nkosinathi Mazwai)
Ensemble dancers:
Zoë Aldridge
Kiera Bryan
Shante Solomons
Caefus Tladi
Amy van Harte
Alice Viskat
Creative & Production Team:
• Lee van der Merwe – Director & Choreographer
• Emma Strong – Installation Artist & Set Designer
• Kimberley Buckle & Liam Gillespie (The Outlore) – Immersive Directors
• Alice Maybin – Rehearsal Director
• Tahira Keyser – Stage Manager
• Palesa Raba & Tamryn Grobler – Stagehands
• Juliette Rose Innes – Social Media Manager
• Robert van der Merwe – Poster & Logo Design
*Age Restriction: 18+ (Language, representations of alcohol and substance abuse)
*It is encouraged to not attend under the influence, as visuals may be over stimulating
Bar Facility:
While you're here, we invite you to arrive early and enjoy a drink at The Outlore Base bar. Though limited in size, we have all the usual favourites, plus a selection of special cocktails crafted just for the summer season. And don’t miss our hidden balcony with a quirky view of the city – it’s the perfect spot to relax before the show begins!
Parking:
Street Parking is available on Loop & Bree Street.
The Outlore Base is less than 100m from Heritage Square Parking Lot
Disability Access Disclaimer
Please note that our venue is located on the second floor and is only accessible via stairs. Unfortunately, there is no elevator or alternative access for individuals with mobility impairments. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.