Beauty in the Broken: Gaynor Young returns to the stage

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This article has been updated since it has been published.

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The beloved South African actress, Gaynor Young, whose life took a dramatic turn after a tragic 18 meters fall during a performance in 1989, has returned to the spotlight with her powerful new production, Beauty in the Broken.

The performance took place at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton from 29 September to 5 October. George Herald caught up with Young following her return from Johannesburg.

This was her first performance in more than two decades, following her acclaimed plays My Plunge to Fame and Gaynor Rising.

The new production was directed by Maralin Vanrenen, who skilfully created a space for Young's essence to come to life.

Beauty in the Broken is rooted in the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with real gold to reveal beauty through imperfection.

Gaynor in her beautiful home with her beloved companion, Leah.

In this performance, Young shares the next chapter of her extraordinary journey, a story of resilience, grace and healing. Once left deaf and shattered, she rebuilt her life through the fierce love from her mother and the quiet strength of hope.

The performance transcends the boundaries of the stage, inviting the audience into conversation. Young, who is unable to memorise words due to her accident, is supported by the caring presence of 'an angel' in the wings.

Much like her beloved parents, who stood steadfastly behind her through immense suffering, this angel symbolises the unwavering support that made Young's healing possible.

This is more than a story of survival and grace, it is an evolution. Young brings with her a message of hope. Like gold, her light shimmers with the kind of divine beauty found only in those who have walked through darkness and emerged transformed, using their pain to create something extraordinary.

The poster for Beauty in the Broken.

In his review, Barry Morisse, founder of Artists & Soldiers, wrote that watching Young perform felt like witnessing an ancient art in living form.

Much to our delight, Young shared that she is eager to bring Beauty in the Broken to George and plans to connect with the local arts community to explore this possibility.

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She also shared how she experienced life as a deaf person before receiving a cochlear implant, and how this disability affects one's ability to connect with the outside world.