Mary and the Conqueror is set against the backdrop of the life of Mary Renault, historical novelist of Ancient Greece, who lived and wrote in the seaside suburb of Camps Bay in Cape Town. Her novels during the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s became iconic works especially for gay people, dealing, as they did, with love and war, homosexuality and heroism during key periods in the history of Ancient Greece. Jenkin’s play imagines an encounter between Renault and her hero, Alexander the Great in which we meet Renault’s lifelong companion and lover, Julie Mullard, and one of Alexander’s lovers, Hephaistion.

Mary and the Conqueror explores the secret `landscape’ of this intriguing novelist in a celebratory entanglement of the lives and loves of Mary and Alexander, the greatest warrior of the Classical world. It is the story of two very different lives and their unlikely intersection.

The play is directed by distinguished director, Roy Sargeant. The role of Mary is played by award-winning, multi-talented actress, Diane Wilson, with another acclaimed South African actress, Adrienne Pearce portraying the role of Julie Mullard. Alexander the Great is played by Armand Aucamp with Francis Chouler in the role of Hephaistion.

Designs are by Alfred Rietmann with original music composed by Michael Tuffin.

The play has two low price previews on 29 and 30 September at 19:30 and runs from 1 to 15 October at 20:15, with matinee performances at 14:30 on Saturday, 8 and 15 October. Tickets at R60 and R80 and can be booked at Computicket or Artscape Dial-A-Seat, 021 471 7695.

The other plays in this year’s Spring Drama Season are The Beneficiary by Sinethemba Twani (20 October to 5 November); Hol by Nicola Hanekom (10 November to 2 December); Seashells by Rafiek Mammon (15 November to 3 December) and a showcase performance of Other People’s Lives by Amy Jephta on 16 and 17 December.