The Unlikely Secret Agent

The Unlikely Secret Agent is a play by Paul du Toit (1974-).

The original text

Based on Ronnie Kasrils' Alan Paton Award-winning book of the same name (Jacana Media, 2013), the production follows the remarkable journey of Eleanor Kasrils. Set in 1963 Durban amidst apartheid’s turmoil, Eleanor, an unassuming bookstore worker and single mother, becomes a clandestine operative for the ANC. When her lover, Ronnie Kasrils, a wanted "terrorist", is pursued by authorities, Eleanor confronts the brutality of the Apartheid government's so-called Special Branch. Arrested, interrogated, and targeted by the Security Police, Eleanor must summon all her strength to protect her comrades and plan her escape.

Adapted for the stage by Paul du Toit, the play was originally scheduled to be staged at The Drama Factory from 10 to 20 June, but eventually opened in August. During this initial run, there was a Q&A session after one of the first-run opening performances, inter alia attended by Ronnie Kasrils, the author of the book.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2021: Produced by Unlikely Productions, first performed at The Drama Factory in Somerset West from 17-22 August, produced by Erika Marais and directed by Paul du Toit with Erika Marais, Paul du Toit, Gideon Lombard, Ntlanhla Morgan Kutu and Sanda Shandu. Lighting design is by Daniel Galloway with sound design by Jahn Beukes.

2022: Produced by Unlikely Productions, directed by Paul du Toit with Erika Marais, Wessel Pretorius , Gideon Lombard, Ntlanhla Morgan Kutu and Sanda Shandu and performed at the Arena Theatre on 4, 5, 6 and 9 August, as part of the Artscape Women Humanity Arts Festival.

2022: Produced by Unlikely Productions in the Bloemhof School Hall at the US Toyota Woordfees in Stellenbosch on 13, 15 and 16 October. Directed by Paul du Toit, with Erika Marais as Eleanor Kasrils, and an ensemble cast that includes Gideon Lombard, Wessel Pretorius, Carlo Daniels and Ntlanhla Kutu. Stage manager Salene Bekker, lighting design Daniel Galloway, music and sound design Jahn Beukes and technical direction Lize van Rooyen.

2024: Produced by Unlikely Productions and the Baxter Theatre and performed at the Market Theatre from 16 May to 2 June 2024. Directed by Paul du Toit, with Erika Breytenbach-Marais as Eleanor Kasrils, and an ensemble cast that includes De Klerk Oelofse, Wessel Pretorius, Sanda Shandu and Ntlanhla Kutu. Lighting design by Lize-Marie Wait, sound scape and design by Jahn Beukes and AV Design by Paul du Toit and Salene Bekker.

2024: Performed by the same company at London's Marlybone Theatre 28 August to 1 September.

Awards

The play garnered a number of awards and nominations in 2022-2023, including Best Production and Best Director at the 2022 US Toyota Woordfees, a Fleur Du Cap Award for Best Director for Paul du Toit and a Fleur Du Cap Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play for Carlo Daniels.