Theatre on the Square presents a new production titled 'Words and Nightmares,' which focuses on war, journalism, and the emotional impact of narratives about human conflicts.
This new theatrical work, dedicated to the emotional impact of conflicts and storytelling, premieres at Theatre on the Square in Sandton at the end of this month. 'Words and Nightmares' is written and performed by the highly acclaimed South African theatre artist Sephemo Motsiviri.
The play follows the journey of a journalist who gathers material for a book about geopolitical clashes. The director, Tembeka Mkhoma, a recognized specialist in theatre, explores what happens when a journalist deeply immerses themselves in the experiences of the people whose stories they document.
The play depicts how the journalist encounters key moments and personal testimonies of war victims, forcing them to confront the harsh reality of violence, death, and human suffering. As they attempt to emotionally distance themselves from the events they cover, they also face issues of external censorship restrictions and difficulties in conveying complex truths.
The production is a joint project between Theatre on the Square and African Tree Productions—a theatre company from Soweto that uses theatre as a tool for transformation and education. African Tree Productions has previously staged works such as The System, Be A Better Dog, A Gift from God/The Pilgrimage, Oresteia Ubuntu, Magadi – The Bride’s Price, and Little Voice from the Grave. Furthermore, the company runs a talent development program that trains people with disabilities in performing arts.
The musical score for 'Words and Nightmares' was created by award-winning Keni Rakotsoane. The play will run for a limited season at Theatre on the Square in Sandton from July 21 to July 26, 2026, with performances from Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets are available through Theatre on the Square and Webtickets, and special discounts are available for groups and schools. Theatre on the Square is located on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.
This overview of historical events that occurred on July 21 presents various moments related to destructions, scientific discoveries, and significant milestones in world history.
In 356 BCE, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was burned down. Of the original seven wonders, only the Great Pyramids of Giza remain today, unlike the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
In 365 BCE, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Crete raised the island and triggered tsunamis along the coasts of Libya and Egypt. Thousands of people died as a result of this disaster, and in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, the destruction was so massive that the event has been called the 'day of terror' for centuries.
In 1816, Baron Paul Julius von Reuters, founder of the Reuters news agency, was born in Germany under the name Israel Ber Yosephat. In 1853, Central Park was created in New York after over 300 hectares of land were allocated on Manhattan Island.
In 1901, Cape Town registered three cases of bubonic plague. In 2025, an investigation into the alleged assassination of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former ANC president Chief Albert Luthuli in Grootville in 1967 concluded that he was killed by the police.
In 1973, Israeli agents mistakenly killed a Moroccan waiter, believing him to be involved in the Munich Olympic Games attacks. In 1978, the world's strongest dog, an 80 kg German Shepherd, demonstrated the ability to pull 2909 kg over a distance of 27 meters.
The world record for the lowest temperature, recorded at -89.2°C, was set in Vostok, Antarctica, in 1983. In 1999, gold medalist Sergio Mosouaneng admitted to cheating, allowing his brother to run part of the Komrades Marathon for him.
In 2005, four suicide bombers attacked London's public transport system two weeks after the July 7th attacks; however, none of the four bombs detonated. In 2021, China unveiled the world's fastest train, capable of reaching speeds of 600 km/h, in the city of Qingdao.
In 2023, a two-thousand-year-old stone slab used for grinding spices was discovered in Southern Vietnam. This find is the earliest evidence of the appearance of curry in Southeast Asia and still retains the scent of nutmeg.
In 2025, 28 countries, including the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the Israeli war in Gaza, noting that civilian suffering has reached 'new depths.'
Illegal renovation work was halted at the well-known 'Blue Domes' cafe in Tashkent. Information about the repairs at this establishment, located in the Yakkasaray district, caused significant public outcry because the building is a cultural heritage site and is protected by the state.
According to the Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the building is included in the National Register of Cultural Heritage Real Estate of Uzbekistan under number 308 and is classified as a protected architectural monument. This status was officially confirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers decree No. 846 dated October 4, 2019.
Social media users reported that during the renovation, a historical mosaic panel decorating the cafe was destroyed. Videos circulated online demonstrate the dismantling of this decorative element. The Agency emphasized that the 'Blue Domes' cafe possesses high historical and cultural value and serves as an example of modernist architecture.
After receiving reports of violations, representatives of the Agency went to the site for inspection around 10:00 PM on July 20. The inspection revealed that renovation work was being carried out on the building's roof without obtaining the necessary permit from authorized bodies. The illegal activities were immediately stopped. The management of the facility was informed that any construction, restoration, or repair interventions in cultural heritage sites are permitted only with an official authorization and in accordance with established legal procedures. Mandatory directives regarding compliance with legislative norms were also handed over to the owners.
The Agency's official statement did not specify whether a separate legal assessment would be conducted regarding the destruction of the mosaic or if there is a possibility of its restoration. Nevertheless, the agency stated its intention to continue strict control over the preservation of cultural heritage sites to prevent any attempts at unauthorized damage or alteration. Previously, this agency had commented on the situation with the Sergei Yesenin Memorial House-Museum, which was planned to be closed for renovations in the autumn of 2025.
The initiative known as 'Sugar House+', launched in 2022, aims to recover the latent potential of an old state-owned sugar refinery located in Yangshuo. This site underwent restoration between 2013 and 2017, led by architect Zhao Chongxin, while Dong Gong finalized the guest rooms and overall organization, establishing the spatial foundation of the hotel.
The project integrates smaller new structures that function as connection points for dispersed and underutilized spaces. Included elements are the Waterside Pavilion, the Hillside Pavilion, a DJ booth, and the Qushui Restaurant, which was added later.
The Waterside Pavilion is positioned next to the water, on the north side of the courtyard, featuring an extensive horizontal projection. This structure marks the historical entrance of the sugar refinery and provides a visual support for the mountains in the background. Its notable design has a large cantilever with only 6 cm thickness, allowing a balance between visual lightness and structural rigor, resulting in a delicate and agile appearance. When viewed along the central axis of the refinery, the horizontal extension of this pavilion establishes a dialogue with the mountains rising in the background plane.
Located at the southern base of the hill, beneath the climbing wall, the Hillside Pavilion, together with the Qushui Restaurant, the Rumu Fire Pit outdoor fireplace, and the pump house, forms a linear cluster along the slope. This structure was implemented on a platform surrounded by trees, including a type of cinnamon tree (*Cinnamomum japonicum*) at the rear right. The project follows the contour of the tree, embracing the terrain with a curved shape and using shade as natural protection, while a free resting area provides panoramic views toward the cliff. A semicircular window facing the main building directs the gaze towards the Karst Garden and the main edifice, echoing the limestone cave with a bamboo structure and creating a dialogue with the central architecture. The Hillside Pavilion serves to anchor the topographical continuity between the grassy area and the climbing zone in a specific way.
The DJ booth occupies the central interior space of Bar 1969, which was adapted from the old pressing workshop. Although the location retains three original floor levels, a glass platform covered the damaged areas, and the juice extraction pit was leveled, leading to the loss of much of the original industrial texture. Like the pavilions, the DJ booth is molded in monolithic concrete and suspended over the foundations of the pressing equipment, its dimensions adjusted to the width of the pressing channel. Taking advantage of internal level differences, the booth was conceived as a set of multiple floor levels to support various functions. While occupying the former space of the machinery, it maintains a subtle relationship between new furniture and industrial vestiges; its sculptural form seems to emerge from the ruins, conveying a feeling that is simultaneously historical and contemporary.
Through this discreet intervention with the structures, the 'Sugar House+' project managed to reveal the spatial potential of the site, consolidate the operational scenarios of the hotel, and intensify the spatial tension between the natural landscape and the industrial legacy, promoting spatial complementarity and improving the character of the existing structure.
