Past Event

Jan 31—Feb 09, 2025

Life & Times of Michael K

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“SIMPLY NOT TO BE MISSED”

— Chicago Tribune





Life & Times of Michael K Media Partner

Intricate marionettes come alive to depict the trials and tribulations faced by Michael K and his mother as they seek to escape political turmoil.

Life & Times of Michael K is the celebrated adaptation of J.M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel from South Africa’s Baxter Theatre. Through Handspring Puppet Company’s inventive, stunning creations, the incredible, poignant journey of Michael K is brought to life in ways that have made critics and audiences alike call this show an absolute must-see.

This hauntingly beautiful story follows Michael K, a simple man who embarks on a journey through South Africa, ravaged by civil war, to return his mother to die on the farm where she was born. He finds strength in his own humanity, his profound connection to the earth, and his unique path, which, as it unfolds, reveals to him his reason for living.

Info

Venue

Emerson Paramount Center, Robert J. Orchard Stage
559 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111



Dates

Jan 31, 2025 - Feb 09, 2025


Post-Show Talk Back

Join us for a conversation with guest speakers following the performance on FEB 1 @ 8PM

Details

115 minutes (no intermission)

Ages 12+

Group Sales available now

Access

Audio Described Performance
Sun, Feb 02 2:00 pm

All Performances Feature Open Captioning




Tickets


Artists

Company

A Baxter Theatre Centre and Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus


The Baxter Theatre Centre is a vibrant, multicultural entertainment hub in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Nestled under the striking Devil’s Peak mountain and at the foot of the University of Cape Town, the Baxter boasts a world-class theatre and concert hall, as well as a studio stage, rehearsal rooms, offices, a restaurant and bars and an impressive spacious foyer.

Built in 1976, the Baxter was a pillar of hope during the apartheid era. By leveraging its strong relationship with UCT, the theatre was able to present multiracial, progressive work at a time when all other non-racial interactivity was banned or censored. The first interracial kiss ever on a South African stage took place during the Baxter’s first production of Miss Julie in 1985, while today our version of Mies Julie storms theatres all around the world.

Adapted and directed by

Lara Foot


In collaboration with

Handspring Puppet Company


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Related Events




Jan 22-Feb 15 2025
Play Reading Book Club:
Life & Times of Michael K

Expand your theater experience through group dialogue and behind the scenes access to Life & Times of Michael K. Over the course of four weeks, we will read the play out loud, discuss the context, see the live performance, and be treated to a private reception with a creative producer for this production at ArtsEmerson.

Registration is free!

Learn More

JAN 23, 2025
The Point: Pulling at the Strings

At ArtsEmerson, the art is the provocation; conversation is the point. The Point is a conversation series that invites audiences to explore big questions in intimate settings. Hosted by a member of the ArtsEmerson team, local and national luminaries will offer their points of view on the urgent questions surfaced by the artists on our stages.

Free Event!

Learn More

FEB 1, 2025 @ 8PM
Post-show Talk-Back

For Talk Back performances, immediately after the conclusion of the show, a moderator and special guests will talk about the production and field questions from the audience as well. Free for all ticket holders!

JAN 31—FEB 09, 2025

Read the Michael K Program booklet during the show.

Life & Times of Michael K Program book