This theatrical storytelling traces the life of Saartjie Baartman, an Indigenous South African woman taken into slavery and brought to London, where she was cruelly displayed as a “savage curiosity.” History remembers her as a symbol of exploitation —but her story is far more layered, resilient, and human.
The performance unfolds in five chapters, each told through the voice of a fictional female character who, in some way—spiritually or physically—intersects with Saartjie’s journey. Each perspective reveals a different truth, creating a five-dimensional portrait of a woman whose life embodied both suffering and courage.
Through movement, song, gesture, and spoken word, the voices of these women bring Saartjie’s story to life, challenging the audience to reflect on the ongoing realities of colonization, exploitation, and the erasure of Indigenous voices.
About the Artist
Jacqui Du Toit is a South African Indigenous storyteller, actor, and playwright, now residing in Ottawa. Drawing on her experiences travelling with an African circus—where she and fellow performers endured harsh conditions—Jacqui weaves theatre, oral tradition, and movement into stories that reclaim and uplift Indigenous heritage.
With The Life and Death of Saartjie Baartman, Jacqui channels her heritage and artistry to honour Saartjie’s legacy, while also shining light on the continued struggles and triumphs of Indigenous peoples worldwide.
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-hottentot-venus-untold-tickets-1657846225689?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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