Christopher Jaftha for Pretty Woman: The Musical
As the iconic love story arrives on South African stages, the actor brings emotional depth, restraint and modern perspective to one of theatre’s most recognisable roles.
By: Leon Haasbroek
Some stories remain timeless. Pretty Woman is one of them.
First introduced to audiences through the iconic 1990 film, the story has since evolved into a global stage production, bringing its mix of romance, transformation and glamour to theatres around the world. Now, South African audiences have the opportunity to experience the musical live, now on at Artscape, Cape Town before heading to Montecasino, Johannesburg in April.
At the centre of the production is Christopher Jaftha, stepping into the role of Edward Lewis. Known for a career that has moved fluidly between film, television, presenting and fashion, Jaftha approaches the character with a deliberate shift in energy.
“Edward is controlled. Strategic. Economical with emotion,” he explains. “I’m expressive by nature. I love people and I feed off connection, so when I step into Edward, I quiet that part of myself. I strip things back.”
It is a discipline that sits at the heart of how he builds the character. Edward’s world is defined by precision and restraint, a stark contrast to Jaftha’s own openness. The challenge, he says, lies in communicating through stillness rather than charm.
“Edward measures his words, his movements, his power. That restraint is fascinating to play because it forces me to communicate through stillness. The journey of the character is really about rediscovering vulnerability.”
That emotional complexity is also what makes the stage adaptation feel relevant to modern audiences. While the original film captured the fantasy of a particular era, the musical offers space to explore the story through a more contemporary lens.
“For me, it was about grounding it in truth rather than nostalgia,” Jaftha says. “Modern audiences are sharper. They ask better questions about power, gender dynamics and choice.”
On a South African stage, that authenticity becomes even more important. Rather than attempting to recreate what audiences already know, the production embraces the cultural nuance and emotional depth that local performers bring to the material.
“It’s not about copying what was done before,” he explains. “It’s about honouring the spirit of the story while allowing the characters to breathe in a way that resonates here and now.”
Jaftha’s approach to the role is also shaped by the work he does beyond entertainment. His career has long been connected to humanitarian and community initiatives, experiences that influence how he views the emotional lives of the characters he portrays.
“Purpose keeps me honest,” he says. “When you work in spaces that deal with real struggle and real stories, you can’t afford to play characters superficially. You look for humanity first.”
For Edward Lewis, that means looking beyond the polished exterior of a powerful businessman and exploring the vulnerability beneath it. Jaftha sees the character as someone shaped by emotional distance and learned detachment.
“I’m interested in his emotional wounds,” he explains. “His fear of intimacy. His learned detachment. Behaviour is often a defence mechanism, and when you humanise him, the transformation becomes believable.”
Costume and physicality play an equally important role in shaping the character. Known for his own sense of style, Jaftha views fashion as an extension of character psychology.
“Clothing is psychology,” he says. “A tailored suit changes your spine. It shifts how you enter a room.”
Edward’s immaculate wardrobe becomes more than just visual detail. It informs posture, movement and presence on stage, reinforcing the character’s controlled world of power and status. As the story unfolds and the character begins to soften, that physical language evolves as well.
“Fashion is never just aesthetic,” Jaftha reflects. “It’s armour. It’s language.”
Opening the production at the Artscape holds particular significance for the actor. Although the venue has long been a creative home for him, this marks his first time performing on its stage since 2015.
“There’s something powerful about telling a global story with South African talent, heart and excellence,” he says. “We are not importing magic. We are creating it.”
With an all-South African cast bringing the musical to life, the production stands as a celebration of the country’s performing talent and the depth of its theatre industry.
“There is a richness in our performers that comes from resilience and diversity,” Jaftha says. “To open here first is a statement. It says we trust our audiences. We trust our artists. We trust our ability to carry a production of this scale at a world-class standard.”
For audiences stepping into the theatre, Pretty Woman: The Musical promises more than nostalgia. It offers a familiar story told with renewed emotional depth, live music and the electricity that only theatre can deliver.
And for Christopher Jaftha, the role of Edward Lewis becomes a journey not only of romance and transformation, but of rediscovering vulnerability in the most unexpected places.
Show Information
CAPE TOWN
Artscape Opera House
Wednesday, 18 March to Sunday, 19 April 2026
JOHANNESBURG
Montecasino’s Teatro
Friday, 24 April to Sunday, 24 May 2026
Show Times
Weekdays
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays – 19h30
Weekends
Saturdays – 15h00 and 19h30
Sundays – 14h00 and 18h00
Bookings
Tickets available via [http://www.ticketmaster.co.za%20/]www.ticketmaster.co.za
Only valid tickets purchased from Ticketmaster, the exclusive ticketing agent, may be presented.
