Colour is too Sweet

“Enny: Three women walked hand in hand.

Celia: I see now how young we were, only just out of girlhood but a head full of dreams.

Enny: They weren’t dreams, it was revolution. Dreams are naïve by nature.

Celia: We dreamt of revolution then?

Enny: No, we fought for change…

Amahle: We three women walked hand in hand…”


It’s 1976, we meet three women from very different backgrounds, who, together with their husbands, are comrades in the African National Congress (ANC). The audience are taken through the events in the weeks before the Soweto Uprising and see the physical and emotional scars they bear from fighting against the brutal Apartheid Regime. 'Colour Is Too Sweet' explores the strength of relationships between these resilient women and their unyielding devotion to the movement they sacrifice so much for.

Now Panic Theatre are delighted to be producing Maya Pillay's debut play - “This is a story inspired by reality. This is not a history play. I grew up with stories of South Africa, of my dad’s memories of prison, of the murder of one of his best friends, of my Mother’s part in the movement here, of my Aunt’s sacrifice, of my Uncle’s bravery. This play is a homage to them, particularly my dad, who began writing a book about his experiences before becoming unwell. He’s helped me with Colour is too Sweet where he can and continues to remind me to ‘talk about the women. They’re braver than people know’.”

'Colour Is Too Sweet' will be part of the Playmill Festival curated by the Kings Head Theatre, London. Performed on 8th & 9th July at 20:00.