Theatre entertainment in South 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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Market Laboratory Theatre
An offshoot of the Market Theatre that acts as a showcase for community talent, with free local-theatre shows every Saturday at 1pm.
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Sand du Plessis Theatre
The local paper lists music, ballet, drama and opera performances held at this striking modern building.
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Barnyard Theatre
It’s out of town in Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, and stages plays, musicals and live-music acts.
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