CELEB FEATURE local films manage. Many English-speaking learners have even watched it as part of their school Afrikaans studies.
“ It feels like it’ s become a South African film now,” she says proudly.“ A real volksbesit.”
Now comes the next chapter. Taking the production to the Teatro means a larger stage, expanded dance numbers, more costumes, and a chance to dream on a much larger scale.
“ This is the stage every performer dreams about,” says Alexander.“ And yes, I’ m sweating bricks!”
As one of the show’ s creative producers, she’ s helped expand nearly every aspect of the production.“ We’ ve added new numbers and more dancers, more costumes, and more spectacular moments. It’ s really a case of: wait, there’ s more.”
Yet beneath all the glitz remains the same winning formula that made audiences fall in love with Jaci and JP, played by Bobby van Jaarsveld, all those years ago.
They’ re imperfect. They’ re ambitious. They make terrible decisions. And somehow, that’ s exactly why South Africans adore them.
For Alexander, the show’ s enduring popularity comes down to one simple thing: joy.
“ We live in a world where everyone is glued to screens,” she says.“ Theatre gives people two hours to escape, laugh, cry, and just feel better.”
And judging by audiences who leave the theatre grinning from ear to ear, that’ s exactly what Semi- Soet delivers.
And if last year’ s sold-out run is anything to go by, Jaci’ s return to the spotlight may just be the sweetest thing Mzansi sees this spring.
For Alexander, the return of Semi-Soet is more than just another run. It is proof that some characters do not fade when the curtain falls. The stilettos were never really gone. They were just waiting for the next entrance. IB
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