Award-winning legal drama Prima Facie heads to South African stages

Tony and Olivier Award-winning legal drama Prima Facie is set to make its South African premiere when it opens at The Baxter Studio in Cape Town this August before transferring to Johannesburg’s Market Theatre in September.

Presented by How Now Brown Cow, the acclaimed production is written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller and directed by award-winning South African theatre-maker Neil Coppen. Actress Danica De La Rey Jones takes on the demanding lead role of Tessa, a brilliant young barrister whose faith in the justice system is shattered after she becomes the victim of sexual violence.

A courtroom drama with a powerful message

Tessa has worked tirelessly to rise from working-class beginnings to the top of the legal profession, where she excels at defending clients, cross-examining witnesses and winning cases.

Her world changes after a brutal attack forces her to navigate the same legal system she once believed in. As she endures the courtroom process from the other side, she begins questioning the very foundations of justice.

The play examines how the burden of proof and rules of evidence often work against survivors of sexual violence, raising challenging questions about power, justice and equality before the law.

Neil Coppen: “The play asks difficult questions”

Director Neil Coppen says the production offers more than compelling theatre.

“Beyond merely presenting a gripping staging of Prima Facie on South African stages, I’m excited by the opportunity this creates to use the production strategically to deepen the discussion around its concerns and themes with our audiences.”

He says the play challenges audiences to think about the legal systems designed to protect society.

“Miller’s play poses some tough and provocative questions around the law and legal systems that are supposedly put in place to protect us all. I think the play really asks the questions around who created the law in the first place and Tessa’s journey reveals how it’s clearly been constructed to serve and protect a select and powerful few.”

Coppen adds that he is looking forward to collaborating with De La Rey Jones on the production.

“I’m always inspired by complex and contemporary texts that speak to the world we are navigating and I’m very much looking forward to working with Danica on this.”

Danica De La Rey Jones takes centre stage

Known for her performances in Hunting Jessica Brok, Netflix’s Unseen Season 2 and the stage production For Colored Girls, Danica De La Rey Jones brings more than a decade of acting experience to the role.

Producer Julie-Anne McDowell believes audiences are in for something special.

“Prima Facie is a compelling, incisive theatrical drama. Danica is known for her magnetic, powerful presence on screen and we can’t wait to see her transfer that to thrill theatre audiences in Prima Facie.”

International award-winning success

Prima Facie has earned worldwide acclaim since its debut.

The 2022 London production received five Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning Best New Play and Best Actress for Jodie Comer. Comer later reprised the role on Broadway, earning the Tony Award for Best Actress.

The South African production features lighting design by Tina Le Roux, set design by Patrick Curtis and sound design by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Performance dates

Cape Town

• Venue: The Baxter Studio
• Dates: 4 to 29 August 2026
• Bookings: Webtickets

Johannesburg

• Venue: The Market Theatre (Barney Simon Theatre)
• Dates: 17 September to 4 October 2026
• Bookings: Webtickets

The production is expected to be one of the country’s most talked-about theatre events of the year, combining powerful performances with a timely examination of justice, gender and the law.

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