Getting Real with Samantha Carlisle: On her new solo show, Messy

Monday morning on Morning Cruise on Bush Radio 89.5FM, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Samantha Carlisle—writer, sexworker, performer, and all-round force of nature—to talk about her bold new solo show Messy, premiering May 6 and 7 at Theatre Arts in Observatory.

Directed by feminist theatre powerhouse Dara Beth, Messy traces the tangled web of Carlyle’s past romantic encounters—“although perhaps lovers is too generous a word,” she laughs. At its core, the play is a deeply personal chronicle of how her relationship with love, intimacy, and sex has evolved from teenage years to adulthood.

Born and raised in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, Carlyle grew up steeped in South African independent theatre. Regular visits to the National Arts Festival from a young age left a lasting impact: “I sort of grew up watching some amazing independent South African theatre and a lot of stand-up comedy,” she says. That comedic influence is clearly present in Messy, where she fuses the raw confessional tone of stand-up with theatrical storytelling.

Although she always knew she wanted to be a performer, it wasn’t until meeting Dara Beth and joining the non-profit organisation Hokaei Loll that she began to take her writing seriously. Carlyle is also a part of Spark in the Dark, a theatre production company that provided the first spark for Messy. After reading a funny story about losing her virginity at one of their Play Things events and receiving roaring laughter and encouragement, she realised the potential for something bigger.

“I just thought, okay, let me see if I can weave these stories together into something enjoyable for everyone,” she explains. The result is a tightly woven, often hilarious piece of theatre that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable.

A central thread of Messy is Carlyle’s experience as an online sex worker. “I actually have an OnlyFans account,” she shares openly, while noting that she’s careful not to generalize or glamourize the industry. “It is a very difficult job, and it comes with a lot of violence and hatred—as well as joy and humour.” Through her own lens, she offers an unflinching, nuanced take on a line of work still largely stigmatized in South Africa.

She also tackles internalized misogyny—sometimes with biting satire, like in the portrayal of an old Afrikaans teacher who becomes the embodiment of internalized sexism. “Start unlearning it,” she urges. “Give yourself more grace.” She’s candid about her own struggles: “Even today, I find something pops in my head and I go, ‘Oh no, that’s awful, don’t think that.’

But writing and performing a solo show is no small feat. “It’s terrifying,” she admits. “It’s like giving birth.” The vulnerability of sharing such intimate stories on stage has been one of the biggest challenges—but it’s one she’s met with the support of her director and collaborators. “Dara Beth brings such a sharp eye to performance, but also so much empathy. They’re incredibly devoted—not just to the craft, but to making sure the performer isn’t retraumatized.”

With her biting wit and open-hearted storytelling, Samantha Carlyle is a fresh and fearless voice in South African theatre. And if Messy is any indication, she’s just getting started.

Catch Messy at Theatre Arts in Observatory on 6 & 7 May. Tickets and info via theatrearts.co.za. Trust us—you don’t want to miss this one.

Presenters: Khusi, Camille & Ryan
Written by Camille De Vos