Reviews

"Werner is notably unafraid of asking (via his characters) brutally difficult questions or stating perspectives that go directly against the societal grain..." - Bruce Dennill Theatre Review: Spanish Steps – Beyond Basement Banter, Or A Bit Of How’s Your Father? FEBRUARY 17, 2024 By BRUCE DENNILL Spanish Steps / Directed by Caroline Midgley / Theatre On The Square, Sandton, Johannesburg There is a common trope, seen regularly both in theatre and in television and film, where two people who don’t know each other or who do know each other but don’t like each other are forced into each other’s company for a period due to some quirk of circumstances. In something like the Saw films, that works out in a rather gory, gruesome way, but in any number of less hacksaw-y and more circumspect scenarios, and particularly if the people are a man and a woman, the situation allows for the development of more depth and meaning than they would ever have been able to achieve in a less pressured or unique setting. Gavin Werner’s Spanish Steps seems, initially, to be simply one of those stories, in which his character, Barry, is a lonely middle-aged back-room software developer who finds his, er, companionship online. His colleague, the company’s HR manager Maureen (Dianne Simpson) seems to be much more certain of herself and makes it clear that she views his behaviour in a rather dim light – and not only because they’re having a conversation in a messy basement. But in the course of the narrative unfolding, the piece becomes much more than that. Werner is notably unafraid of asking (via his characters) brutally difficult questions or stating perspectives that go directly against the societal grain while also verbalising, for many audience members, feelings they may not have been able to express before. Barry, in this context, is more than just a socially awkward employee. He is a father, an ex-husband, and possessed of talents that his workplace behaviour might have obscured. Maureen, likewise, is a daughter, currently single, who might be looking for validation in places she’ll never receive it. And once the audience has been taken into this space and begun to relate to either Barry or Maureen or both on a personal level, Spanish Steps becomes more than entertaining. It’s important. Werner and Simpson honour this with their performances, showing that there is profundity in being normal and troubled and uncertain and flawed and broken – as we all are. It’s not glossy stuff (and a set built of boxes with rubbish strewn between them reflects that), but it is a journey that reveals as much about the characters as it does about those sitting in the seats and noting that some of the scripted conversation applies to them. Thematically, Werner’s writing explores father relationships – fathers to their children and children to their fathers – but in doing that he covers a number of other areas relating to how we as men and women behave, privately and in community. He manages to do that with sensitivity and humour, which greatly adds to the accessibility of the story and makes watching this piece enormously satisfying.

"I was utterly delighted at just how good it actually is. Far better than good, it is excellent." - Dayle Littlefield Spanish Steps is a new play so I didn't know what to expect this afternoon. I knew it would be good because Daphne Kuhn would not be involved with anything mediocre but I was utterly delighted at just how good it actually is. Far better than good, it is excellent. The script is fresh, original and pertinent. It deals deeply with many social issues from loneliness to abandonment to neglected dreams and broken hearts.by pitting two work colleagues against each other in a confined space with no escape. Together they discover themselves and each other and reach resolution of past problems. Gavin's writing is funny, ironic and uncomfortably apt and he and Dianne are so honest and endearing in their portrayal of Barry and Maureen that we felt all their pain, joy, relief and disbelief with them.

"Layering humor with deep emotion, there are laugh-out-loud moments and moments of raw vulnerability and audience discomfort, all held together by the superb acting of Gavin Werner and Dianne Simpson" - Sam Nupen Two characters that are so familiar. We know these people, or at least we know people just like them! We pass them in the corridors at work and never think about why they are the way they are. Determined, career driven, focused, successful, power-suited…..alone, lonely, angry, guilty, broken. Stuck, bored, underachieving, marking time, beige, simple….alone, lonely, angry, guilty, broken. This beautifully written, insightful and deeply resonating play does not just pass them in the corridor. Instead we get to know Maureen and Barry and we begin to understand them too. Layering humor with deep emotion, there are laugh-out-loud moments and moments of raw vulnerability and audience discomfort, all held together by the superb acting of Gavin Werner and Dianne Simpson. Excellent direction by Caroline Midgely brings Gavin Werner’s superb script to life. And it’s not always in the words. There are some moments of silence which convey more than words ever could. The audience was completely engaged. Loved this. No under 16.

“A fabulous, witty and astute original script from Gavin Werner makes SPANISH STEPS an absorbing piece of theatre." - Janice Leibowitz “A fabulous, witty and astute original script from Gavin Werner makes SPANISH STEPS an absorbing piece of theatre. Opening night last night saw Gavin take to the stage with Dianne Simpson as their characters 'Barry' and 'Maureen', both bearing the baggage that comes with reaching a 'certain age', are forced into overcoming the rather unfortunate situation they find themselves in. Gavin's performance as the rather woeful Barry, who's been pushed to his limit is quite endearing. Dianne as the initially overbearing, officious HR Manager shows her versatility as she seamlessly traverses a range of emotions - I wanted to give her an enormous hug! Suffice to say that they're not exactly fond of each other and as the story unfolds to its conclusion, amidst the many laughs and moments of recognition for our shared, flawed humanity, the audience is left with much to ponder. Can past hurts ever be truly healed? Can the damage our parents caused us, or that we ourselves inflict on our own children ever be repaired? Are we able to acknowledge that we often make entirely incorrect judgements and assumptions about others when we barely know them? Fine direction by Caroline Midgely and as always, a warm, welcoming theatre haven thanks to Daphne Kuhn and her marvelous, magical team at the Theatre on the Square, Sandton! “ SPANISH STEPS is on until 24 February and I highly recommend it for a great night out!

"[SPANISH STEPS] offers powerful and delightful insights into human dynamics … a lovely real work, which will keep you focused and laughing throughout." - Robyn Sassen Father, dear Father BY ROBYN SASSEN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2024 • ( 1 COMMENT ) THE ugly faces of office politics in a job that wasn’t anyone’s dream: Barry (Gavin Werner) and Maureen (Dianne Simpson) in Spanish Steps at Theatre on the Square in Sandton, until 24 February. THERE’S NOTHING QUITE like being holed in an uncomfortable situation, for an indefinite period, with a colleague you barely know for an ice-breaker to manifest. This is what happens when Maureen from HR (Caroline Midgley) comes to deliver a message to her IT colleague, Barry (Gavin Werner) in Spanish Steps, at Theatre on the Square in Sandton, until 24 February. Building on very old tropes that have seen murder mysteries develop under the pen of writers of the ilk of Agatha Christie, this charming play doesn’t promise to break new ground theatrically. But in doing so, and in focusing on what it is about, it offers powerful and delightful insights into human dynamics, and the kind of soil where love might take root and actually flourish. On the one hand, it’s a tale, which like that in Michelle Douglas’s play Home Affairs, which featured at this theatre last year, enables both protagonists to tell their story, and in fact, the one story is an inversion of the other. It’s about humanity roughly being on the different sides of the same coin, if only we are to look. On the other hand, it’s a story of absent fathers, or fathers who don’t often get to spread their personal wings, because of being inveigled into domestic responsibilities too young, or for whatever other reason. It’s about loss and making peace but also about seeing more than just superficial detail. More than all of this, Spanish Steps it’s a bubbly and highly watchable piece of writing that suffers no plateaux in its telling. With a bit of the romance of freelance portrait artists in Rome and a lot of prickly office politics and pretences, it’s a lovely real work, which will keep you focused and laughing throughout. Spanish Steps is written by Gavin Werner and directed by Caroline Midgley. It is produced by Daphne Kuhn, stage managed by Regina Dube assisted by Melidah Thakadu and technically managed by Loftus Mohale assisted by Reggie Mathebe and performed by Dianne Simpson and Gavin Werner at Theatre on the Square in Sandton, until 24 February 2024.

"This relatable struggle unfolds like a therapy session witnessed through laughter and tears" - Georg Knoke A most intriguing South African play ! Forget spreadsheets, HR's Maureen and Barry find themselves locked in what it feels- a real-life drama at the Theater on the Square- Sandton. Forget the fluorescent lights, 'Spanish Steps' plunges into their shadowed past, exposing raw wounds hidden beneath office facades! Gavin Werner - who also wrote the play- and Dianne Simpson deliver captivating performances, with Barry's awkward vulnerability contrasting Maureen's sharp wit! The elephant in the room - can we forgive our fathers for their 'sins' and the lifelong emotional turbulence this has on adults! It's not just about 'forgiving Dad', it's about forgiving ourselves! This relatable struggle unfolds like a therapy session witnessed through laughter and tears 😢! An emotional rollercoaster that keeps the audience enthralled! A MUST-SEE for anyone who has ever wondered 'What if my relationship with my Dad or Mum was different, more smoothly' ? If we forgive our Fathers, what is left?

"Compelling theatre at it best ... a masterpiece in triggering emotional understanding" - Devon Koen Compelling theatre at it best awaits audiences watching Spanish Steps, on show at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. Littered with quirky moments while delving deep into the human condition, Spanish Steps is a masterpiece in triggering emotional understanding. Directed by Caroline Midgley and written by Gavin Werner, the play sees two unlikely companions triggering each other to deal with deep-rooted issues as they spend time together unwittingly trapped in a basement. Maureen, played by Dianne Simpson, a uptight human resources exec with daddy issues, eventually comes to terms with her unhappy life, while Barry, played by Werner, an IT developer, confronts his angst created by an unhappy marriage and messy divorce. The two eventually connect after tensions run high and each other’s nerves are tested, becoming almost mirrors of each other. Spanish Steps is a must-see as it gives hope to those who have endured all the hardships life has to throw at a person.

Opening Times

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Last entry at 5:30 PM 

Closed on Saturdays

Unlimited tickets available for purchase at the door.

"[SPANISH STEPS] does what art is supposed to do, by reflecting the human condition" - Peter Terry People of Chwannispek, you only have a couple of days left to go to see SPANISH STEPS at the Sandton Theatre on the Square. Two utterly believable, pleasing performances in a really fine play by Gavin Werner, (who is also in it) which does what art is supposed to do, by reflecting the human condition. You'll see yourself in there: failing in some ways, succeeding in others, flawed, frail, and yet loveable. Well done to Dianne Simpson and this fresh new voice, Gavin Werner. Go. I urge you. What I found most appealing about your (brilliantly performed) SPANISH STEPS is that the two characters - and the story - are people we know, people we work with, people we live with, functioning in ways that we all recognise, either in ourselves or others, or, more probably both. We live it forwards and understand it backwards, to coin an old cliche, and succeed and fail in equal measure on a daily basis, probably. Your characters, and how they respond to the situations that crop up in this play, ring so totally true. I've side-tracked myself. What I find so appealing about the play is that you have written two characters with so much gentle affection. We laugh at them, yes, but the laughter is cocooned in empathy. These two hapless souls are all of us, and you are never cruel. Just very, very perceptive.

"What a delicious chunk of naughty, introspective theatre. Thoroughly enjoyed the piece, as did a packed audience." - Chet Diepraam SPANISH STEPS opens. What a delicious chunk of naughty, introspective theatre. Thoroughly enjoyed the piece, as did a packed audience. Gavin Werner and Dianne Simpson feature in an engrossing, original tale.. some great humour and a tear or two. Examines relationships with fathers, nogal. Take yourself through to Sandton for a finely crafted experience. On till 24th only. Thank you Daphne Kuhn, Regina Dube, Bronwen Kerry and your Teams.

"a clever thought-provoking South African play … that brought tons of laughter and gave us food for thought. " - Jocelyn Broderick So lovely to see a clever thought-provoking South African play, Spanish Steps, at Theatre on the Square, Sandton that brought tons of laughter and gave us food for thought. Kudos to Capetonian Gavin Werner (who both wrote and starred in it) and Dianne Simpson. Great rapport between these two talented actors. Catch it while its here. Thanks to Daphne Kuhne

"A theatrical treat!" - Janet De Kretser Excellent social commentary on the corporate world, and the workplace - funny, sad, so true to life. Clever script and wonderful acting from Gavin Werner and Dianne Simpson - it was a theatrical treat!

Opening Times

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Last entry at 5:30 PM 

Closed on Saturdays

Unlimited tickets available for purchase at the door.