Cape Town singer-songwriter Jimmy Nevis is preparing to bring his music to the stage in a completely new format with the premiere of Roses & Thorns.

The theatrical concert experience will take place at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town on 30 July 2026.

Combining live music, theatre and storytelling, the production will feature songs from across Nevis’ career alongside original stories exploring love, loss, resilience, community and hope.

Music Meets Theatre

Rather than following the structure of a traditional concert, Roses & Thorns will move between musical performances and theatrical scenes.

Award-winning actor Dean Smith will take centre stage to perform four interconnected stories woven throughout the production.

Nevis said the show would give audiences a new look at the experiences and emotions behind his music.

“Over the years I’ve written songs about relationships, family, identity and community. Roses & Thorns is an opportunity to explore the stories behind those songs in a completely new way,” he said.

Fans can expect to hear music from across his career, including tracks such as Heartboxing, Elephant Shoes, In Love With You, FBA and 7764.

A New Chapter for Jimmy Nevis

Originally from Athlone, Nevis has spent more than a decade building his place in South African pop music.

He first gained national attention through Elephant Shoes before releasing several successful singles and albums.

His fourth studio album, Things We Don’t Talk About, was released in 2023 and explored personal and often avoided conversations. The project earned two South African Music Award nominations and received more than one million streams during its first year.

Nevis later completed his first United Kingdom tour in 2025 and has performed at major venues and festivals across Southern Africa.

Throughout his career, he has worked with artists including Kwesta, Karen Zoid, Mi Casa, Pascal & Pearce and Sketchy Bongo. He has also opened for international performers Pharrell Williams, Tevin Campbell and Joe Thomas.

The Creative Team

Roses & Thorns is produced by Nevis and musical director Darren Petersen.

Kim Blanché Adonis serves as the production’s director and scriptwriter, while Mpilo May Richards is the associate producer and scriptwriter.

Tickets for the 30 July performance are available through Quicket.