Local Theatre Culture

Cape Town’s vibrant performance art platforms stretch the length and breadth of the Mother City from sunrise views on the False Bay coast, at the Kalk Bay theatre to sunsets on the Atlantic Seaboard at the Theatre on the Bay. In addition to entertainment, local theatres provide an insight to the country’s national history.

The iconic multicultural hub, The Baxter is built on the grounds of the University of Cape Town and opened its doors on the 1st of August 1977. Despite the prevailing racial segregation and apartheid legislation it welcomed audiences of all races and an early production of Miss Julie in 1985 starring John Kani and Sandra Prinsloo provoked ire from some quarters. Today The Baxter continues to stage productions which reflect the diversity and splendour of South African culture.

Also of historical significance is the Artscape Theatre, renamed in March 2001, and previously called the Nico Malan Theatre Centre. It opened on the 19th of May 1971 and was built on the premises where the Alhambra Theatre had stood. Home to Cape Town Opera and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra the theatre stages international musicals, new playwrights and hosts the annual Suidoosterfees.

Not far from the Artscape, you will find the Home Coming Centre, a beautiful building in District 6 which is a national heritage-listed neo-Gothic Congregational Church Hall and was reimagined by Rennie Scurr Adendorff Architects to create the Fugard Theatre. The theatre, named after South Africa’s, most recognizable playwright, Athol Fugard, opened on the 12th of February 2010, with a gala presentation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo. After a decade of staging many memorable productions and hosting a multitude of international stars, the theatre sadly closed due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic but has been reinvigorated as a muti purpose venue, including two theatres, the Star theatre and the Avalon auditorium.

A church building is also home to the independent theatre, Theatre Arts in Observatory. A home for independent artists where innovative and experimental work is performed to audiences in search of cutting-edge performance and dance.

Heading towards Camps Bay is Theatre on the Bay which opened in December 1988 under the guidance of the illustrious impresario Pieter Toerien. It is also the home of the L & A Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) where aspiring young artists are trained to be formidable triple threats who often begin their professional careers on this stage.

Leave the city behind and travel along the N2 to Khayelitsha where theatres are more than performance spaces but are vital creative hubs where children and adults participate in a variety of creative classes and activities. The Makukhanye Arts Room in Khayelitsha is one of the first “shack theatres” which has since inspired a national movement led by Mandisi Sindo. Situated alongside a tavern and a bustling taxi rank the background soundscape often adds to the ambience of the performances on stage. Productions offered range from solo musicians to large ensembles performing thought provoking social dramas.

Off the remarkably busy Mew Way in Khayelitsha, escape to the unlikely waterfront venue, Tembisa Ratanga. This multi -tiered establishment affords audiences a variety of viewpoints and the balcony seats allow an unusual aspect of Table Mountain. A popular venue for live outdoor musical performances the audiences are often part of the staged entertainment and with the inclusion of local food and beverages, a visit here is a unique experience.

With more than twenty theatres in the immediate environs of Cape Town, whether you want to be amazed by the talent of an amateur dramatics company at The Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, dazzled by dancers at the Kalk Bay Theatre or stimulated by provocative drama at the Baxter theatre, there is something for every taste.

[ ✍️ This article was written by Tracey Saunders. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. ]