Love, Lies, and the Messy Truths of ‘Closer’

A Conversation with Director Klara Robertson

Patrick Marber’s Closer is a play that doesn’t just explore love—it dissects it, lays its contradictions bare, and forces us to confront the ways we desire, deceive, and destroy.

Under the direction of Klara from KMMR Productions, this Cape Town production breathes new life into the text, reinterpreting its raw emotional core for contemporary audiences.

But as much as the play is about relationships, the making of it has been just as much about collaboration, with every member of the cast and crew shaping its evolution.

Image sourced from Instagram// Captured by [@a.j.ao][@lowaltitudemag]

A Collective Vision

From the beginning, Closer has been a deeply collaborative process. Klara credits Caroline from Theatre Arts, who has been supporting the production from proof of concept, as an integral part of its foundation.

The rehearsal space, far from a rigidly dictated environment, has evolved into an open dialogue with the cast bringing their own insights, questions, and interpretations to the text.

“There are moments where I see the play in a completely new light because of something the actors suggest,” Klara notes. “It’s been so rewarding to let the process be fluid and responsive to what everyone is bringing to the table.”

Jess Swartz, who plays Anna, describes the experience as transformative: “It’s been hugely beneficial. I haven’t acted before, so having a space that is so collaborative and open has taken the pressure off. Klara directs in a way that allows us to share in the vision, and it’s up to us to get there collectively. I’ve been able to lean on the cast, and it’s been amazing to learn from their experience.”

Mihir Soni, playing Larry, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the creative richness of working within such an engaged team. “It’s really interesting working in a young, creative, and collaborative team. We’ve had moments to reflect on our own love lives and how we relate to the story. It’s fascinating to see where we align with the characters and where we don’t.”

The cast of Closer - From left, Maya Boraine (Alice), Mihir Soni (Larry), Jess Swartz (Anna), Henu Baden (Dan)

The People Behind Closer

While Klara’s direction provides a guiding vision, the production is very much a sum of its parts. The cast bring an emotional depth and dynamism to their roles that challenge audience expectations.

Maya, reflecting on the emotional demands of the play, shares: “Working with this material is incredibly cathartic. As a cast, we’ve had open discussions about our own experiences and how they intersect with the story, which has been healing in many ways. At the same time, we’ve also used techniques to ensure we separate ourselves from our characters in a healthy way.”

Beyond the performers, the creative team plays a vital role in shaping the experience. The set design, led by Chido Pie, crafts a visual language that mirrors the play’s themes of intimacy and estrangement,  

Image sourced from Instagram// Captured by [@a.j.ao][@lowaltitudemag]

A Story That Resonates

At its core, Closer remains deeply relevant. Its themes of love, betrayal, and longing resonate universally, and its raw honesty forces audiences to confront their own experiences with intimacy and deception. “It’s a play that doesn’t offer easy answers,” says Klara. “And that’s exactly why we’re drawn to it.”

As the cast and crew work towards opening night, what remains clear is that Closer is more than just a play - it’s a shared creation, a story told through many voices, each contributing something essential to its messy, beautiful truth.

“It’s so relevant to the modern relationship. The play even touches on how technology influences relationships - it's still such a modern text.”  

Cape Town's Theatre Landscape

When asked about the broader cultural landscape of Cape Town’s theatre scene, Klara is candid about the challenges.  

“There are incredible theatre makers here creating world-class work, but there’s a gap in audience engagement. There’s so much potential, but it often feels like people aren't willing to take the leap to see a play on a random Tuesday night. The only people missing out are the audiences.”  

Klara’s Closer is a testament to the passion, complexity, and collaboration driving Cape Town’s theatre community. It’s a production that seeks not just to present a story, but to provoke, to challenge, and to hold a mirror up to the messiness of modern love.  

Closer runs at Theatre Arts in Observatory from April 1st to 3rd. Do yourself a favor — go see it. You might find a little piece of yourself in the chaos.