Theatre entertainment in Africa
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Cape Town International Convention Centre
Since opening for business in 2003, the R582 million CTICC has barely paused for breath, packing in a busy annual program of exhibitions, conferences and other events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Design Indaba. There are plans to demolish the Customs House on the other side of the raised freeways and extend the CTICC towards Table Bay, almost doubling its size and making it South Africa’s first six-star green-rated building. Step inside the main entrance to admire the giant relief sculpture in the main hall, Baobabs, Stormclouds, Animals and People, a collaboration between Brett Murray and the late San artist Tuoi Steffaans Samcuia.
reviewed
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Théâtre Royal
Twenty-five years in the making, the Théâtre Royal is a sore subject for Marrakshis still waiting for a completed interior - apparently the work wasn't done to specifications, the money's gone, and the whole legal ordeal's become a monumental embarrassment. Meanwhile regular performances are held in a Carthage-style outdoor amphitheatre with hard seats but terrific acoustics.
Tunisian architect Charles Boccara's Maghrebi monument features Egyptian Art Deco papyrus pillars, a Sahara sand-coloured portico, and showstopping Moroccan exposed brickwork in the domed foyer.
reviewed
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C
Theatre in the District
The original St Philip’s Church, built in 1885, is one of the few surviving remnants of District Six. It now serves as a community theatre and arts project base. From October through to April come here on Monday night to see Woza Cape Town, a highly energetic production by a talented bunch of youngsters combining dance, song, poetry and a little drama. The show starts at around 7.15pm; arrive an hour earlier if you want to also eat the pre-show Cape Malay meal.
reviewed
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D
Baxter Theatre
Since the 1970s the Baxter has been the focus of Capetonian theatre. There are three venues here – the main theatre, the concert hall and the studio – and between them they cover everything from kids’ shows to African dance spectaculars. They have an ongoing relationship with the Royal Shakespeare Company thanks to Capetonian actor Sir Anthony Sher who has performed here.
reviewed
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Théâtre de l'Etoile du Nord
This is a fringe theatre housed in an ex-garage. There are regular plays (in French and Arabic) and concerts (from reggae to heavy metal) - check the website for forthcoming events.
As boho as Tunis gets, this vibrant theatre has a unique artsy café (no alcohol) catering to a mixed crowd of men and women. Lone women will feel completely comfortable here.
reviewed
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F
Artscape
Consisting of three different-sized auditoriums (including the studio On The Side), this behemoth is currently the city’s main arts complex. Theatre, classical music, ballet, opera and cabaret shows – Artscape offers it all. The desolate area means it’s not recommended to walk around here at night. There’s plenty of secure parking.
reviewed
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Market Theatre
The most important venue for live theatre has three live-theatre spaces (Main, Laager and Barney Simon Theatres) as well as galleries and a cafe. There is always some interesting theatre, ranging from sharply critical contemporary plays to musicals and stand-up comedy – check the program in the Mail & Guardian entertainment section.
reviewed
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Playhouse Company
Opposite City Hall, Durban’s central theatre, The Playhouse Company, was recently renovated and is a stunning venue. The Zulu mosaics and beadwork in the foyer are alone worth seeing, as are the dance, drama and music performances. Ask at the box office or Durban Tourism for information about what’s on. Newspapers also have listings.
reviewed
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Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
A spectacular auditorium, designed by the Catalan architect Óscar Tusquets, and striking in its geometric modernity. Constructed partly of volcanic rock, with a huge window with broad ocean views, it is the dominant feature of the southern end of Playa de las Canteras. This is one of the venues for the annual summer Jazz Festival.
reviewed
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New Space Theatre
The recently revived New Space has an illustrious history. The Victorian building has been beautifully restored and contains two performance spaces as well as the offices and gallery of the Africa Centre. Bookings can be made via Computicket or at the venue an hour and half before each performance.
reviewed
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K
Old Zoo
Occasionally the lion’s den in the ruins of Cecil Rhodes’ zoo on the southern slopes of Devil’s Peak serves as a highly atmospheric venue for dramatic works. Don’t miss the chance to catch a performance here, which may even include dinner beforehand in the former animal cages!
reviewed
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Intimate Theatre
This 75-seater venue is the pick among the three stages that can be found at the University of Cape Town’s drama department. Read the reviews before going to see the productions which can widely vary in quality and content. The improv show Theatresports plays here every Monday at 8.30pm.
reviewed
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Les Musicales du Palais el-Mokri
Traditional music concerts held in the salons of the Mokri Palace: feast your eyes on the spectacular surroundings and imagine yourself a pasha of old. See the website for the program of events and groups performing (except in August). The entrance fee includes tea and Moroccan pastries.
reviewed
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Kalk Bay Theatre
This is one of the city’s several intimate dinner and show venues, housed in a converted church. You don’t need to eat there beforehand to see the productions which are typically reasonably short. The improvisational troupe Theatresports plays here Tuesday at 8.30pm.
reviewed
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Hexagon
There are several theatres including the Hexagon, which is part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It’s about 3km south of the centre, off Durban Rd.
reviewed
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Garage
The renovated garage of the Jesuit Centre is maintained by the Young Arab Theatre Fund. Garage is a breath of fresh air on the city’s cultural scene, presenting new performances by local and international youth theatre groups.
reviewed
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Theatre in the Park
The outdoor performing group Theatre in the Park stages two live shows each month, and also promotes children's theatre and screens African films. For the latest schedules, see the Windhoek Information & Publicity Office.
reviewed
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O
Professional Centre
Local theatre troupe the Phoenix Players put on regular performances at this unlikely-sounding venue. Many of the plays are by foreign playwrights but a good proportion are by Kenyans, and new works are well represented.
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Barnyard Theatre
This unique and popular place houses more popular reconstructed barnyard and mainstream theatre productions. Audience members can take their own food (and buy drinks at the bar) or buy food at the takeaway outlets.
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Teatro Avenida
Teatro Avenida is home to Maputo's best-known theatre group, Mutumbela Gogo. Plays are in Portuguese. Also watch for M'Beu, a theatre group for high-school students formed under the auspices of Mutumbela Gogo.
reviewed
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Theatre on the Bay
Camp’s Bay is the last place where you’d expect anything avant-garde or challenging on stage to have a ready audience, so the program here sticks with the conventional play or a one-person show.
reviewed
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Masque Theatre
The program at this small theatre, which celebrated 50 years of operation in January 2009, changes on a pretty regular basis, veering from one-man comedy shows to musical reviews and more serious plays.
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Little Theatre & Arena Theatre
Read the reviews before going to see the productions of widely varying quality and content from students at the University of Cape Town's drama department, which are staged in these two small venues.
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Kenya National Theatre
This is the major theatre venue in Nairobi. As well as contemporary and classic plays, there are special events such as beauty pageants, which are less highbrow but still culturally interesting.
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Centre Culturel Français Georges Mélies
Your best (and possibly only) chance of catching a concert featuring some of the best musicians from Burkina Faso or elsewhere in Africa, is at the Centre Culturel Français Georges Mélies.
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