Meet the star bringing Constellations to life at the Hilton Arts Festival

If you've been planning your Hilton Arts Festival itinerary, this is one show you'll want to book for!

Constellations, the internationally acclaimed play by Nick Payne, is making its way to the festival from 7 to 9 August, bringing with it a stellar cast led by acclaimed actress Mwenya Kabwe and Mark Elderkin. Directed by renowned choreographer and theatre-maker Jay Pather, the production promises to be one of this year's standout performances.

As part of our Women's Month series celebrating inspiring women in the arts, we caught up with Kabwe to chat about her journey to the stage, why theatre still matters, and what audiences can expect from this beautifully unpredictable love story.

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From Zambia to South Africa's stages

Although South African audiences know her from acclaimed productions such as Hold Still, Yellowman and mAnJE! MaNje (an epic), Kabwe's story began in Zambia before eventually bringing her to South Africa in 2004. 

Her acting career, however, started much earlier at boarding school in the United Kingdom.

"I got into acting when I was about 11," she laughs. "I think I played a lot of boys, villains and old people at school!"

After studying theatre in Boston, she performed one-woman productions based on the lives of trailblazers Wilma Rudolph and Harriet Tubman, experiences she says shaped her as a performer before building an acclaimed career on South African stages.

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A love story... with a quantum twist

So, what exactly is Constellations?

Without giving too much away, it's unlike your typical romance. The story follows Marianne, a physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper, whose relationship unfolds across multiple possible realities, exploring how tiny decisions can completely change the course of our lives.

"It's a love story between two wonderfully complex people at the edge of their desires," says Kabwe. "Audiences can expect a story about loss, surviving loss, the secret lives of bees and the wonders of parallel universes."

Look forward to moments that are funny, moving, surprising and thought-provoking…all packed into a gripping 75-minute performance.

A message for women chasing creative dreams

As we celebrate Women's Month, Kabwe also has a refreshing dose of honesty for women hoping to build careers in the performing arts.

"It takes an incredible amount of consistent physical and emotional work to do it well, and that is often overlooked," she says. "It can also be very unglamorous at times. But if you have the courage, stamina and endless curiosity about what makes us who we are, then maybe it's for you."

In an age dominated by streaming platforms and endless scrolling, Kabwe believes live theatre has never been more important. She says South Africa consistently produces world-class productions, but hopes local theatre will continue receiving the recognition and support it deserves.

“We do still produce excellent theatre regularly. There's so much more opportunity for local and international recognition so theatre artists can genuinely build sustainable careers.”

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What you need to know

Constellations at the Hilton Arts Festival

• Dates: 7–9 August 2026
• Starring: Mwenya Kabwe and Mark Elderkin
• Director: Jay Pather
• Running time: 75 minutes (no interval)
• Age restriction: 13+
• Book: Tickets through Webtickets | Festival vehicle entry is R100 per vehicle, valid for all three days
• More Information: Check out the full Hilton Arts Festival programme.

Constellations promises an unforgettable evening of brilliant performances, clever writing and heartfelt storytelling. After all, how often do you get to watch a romance unfold across multiple universes?

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