Written and Directed by Cailyb Prinsloo
Beatrice - Samantha Carlisle 
Jojo - Shannon Hendry 

Cailyb Prinsloo
Cailyb Prinsloo is a writer, director, and producer. Originally from the Eastern Cape, Cailyb studied at Rhodes University where she obtained her Master’s degree in Drama, and has since moved to Cape Town in search of fame and fortune. If you have any leads as to where to find it, please let her know. Cailyb’s previous accolades include a Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award for an earlier, less polished version of What Do You Think the Birds are Doing? in 2022. Since then, Cailyb has obtained a Master's degree, and spends her days writing plays, producing independent theatre, and looking for paying work. Cailyb works as a producer and social media manager for Spark in the Dark and is part of the team that brings Play Things to live audiences on a monthly basis. Did we mention that Cailyb has a Master’s degree?  When not faffing about with Play Things, Cailyb is a regular attendee of Clown Town (Cape Town’s latest clowning troupe), enjoys performing in clowning showcases, and wrangling the uber-driver-cum-comedian Ricky Strazz. If there is any free time left after all this, Cailyb occasionally dabbles in oil painting, specialising in portraits of tin cans. 

Samantha Carlisle
Samantha Carlisle wants to be a Love Island contestant but until that happens she is a full-time actress, writer, and producer. While she was born in the Makhanda, her work has travelled to places with far fewer potholes and maybe also fewer donkeys (she doesn’t currently have the research to back up that claim). Most notably she played the role of Renee in Some Mothers’ Sons, the film adaptation of Mike van Graan’s renowned play by the same name. Some Mothers’ Sons travelled to film festivals all over Africa, America, the UK, and Europe, and is currently available to watch on Showmax. She then went on to play Amelia in Joanna Evans’ hit play The Year of the Bicycle, a piece she produced alongside her co-star Kamogelo Mhlantla. Most recently, she had a role in an Afrikaans TV series called Wyfie, despite her inability to praat die taal. When she is not partaking in the anxiety-inducing, debilitating, Sisyphean task of writing and performing her solo show Messy, she can be found working on a myriad of projects that aim to rejuvenate the South African theatre scene and make it more accessible for women and gender-diverse theatre-makers. She works as a producer for Spark in the Dark and also oversees daily operations and communications for Kgokelo, a sustainable network for women and gender-diverse playwrights in South Africa.

Shannon Hendry

Shannon Hendry is from Kwa-Zulu Natal, and believes that makes her special.  Is it an ego or is it self-love? The question remains unanswered but at least she’s self-aware. Shannon studied drama and theatre at AFDA and Stellenbosch University, and is currently finishing her honours specialising in cabaret. She has been dabbling in stand-up comedy around Cape Town. In 2024 Shannon co-created a production called Öh which she stars in alongside another actor. The production was for a competition called Première in which it won a few awards and was chosen to perform at the 2025 KKNK. Öh is heading to Vryfees as well as another production Shannon co-wrote, co-directed and is playing in called The Fogo in the Mecrura Maison. The Fogo in the Mecrura Maison was performed at Theatre Arts as a part of their youth programme in April 2025. Öh will also be performing at Theatre Arts in August 2025. During 2024, Shannon had the opportunity to perform in a production written by Dr Andrè Gerber titled The Candidate. Shannon hates running so please don’t start chasing her. She has regular conversations with herself and thinks she’s great company. Did we mention she’s from Kwa-Zulu Natal?