Summertime… and the living’s definitely easy at Artscape Theatre Centre

Artscape Theatre Centre is excited to usher in its summer programme, along with a brand-new look and feel for its front-of-house foyers –the perfect complement to the many facilities that make Artscape the world-class theatre that it is.

With Artscape’s stages hosting first rate performances, it is essential that the theatre caters to the needs of today’s performing arts and provides patrons with a comfortable theatre-going experience. The foyers have thus been transformed to include modern, world-class facilities that prioritise audience comfort, an improved atmosphere, flexibility and disabled access. Bar facilities and coffee stations have been increased for easier access and faster service during intervals. Patrons can now also enjoy free WiFi access and can view the all-new audio-visual screens in the foyers for information or show details. And, the theatre’s doors remained open throughout the year-long overhaul.

The Artscape summer season is a compositeof song, dance and merriment, befitting ofa Cape Town summer. High on any family’s priority list is the musical Matilda, which will be performed in the Artscape Opera House from 9 December until 13 January. Matilda The Musical is the multi-award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl, telling the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Also perfect for the whole family over the holiday season is The Little Mermaid, showing from 14 December to 6 January in the Artscape Theatre. Adam Sage’s telling of this captivating story features the delicate Little Mermaid, the Handsome Prince, the evil Sea Witch and many more enchanting characters. Choreographed for the Missouri Ballet a few years back and performed to sold-out theatres, this production will highlight the versatility and acting skills of the dancers of the Cape Town City Ballet.

Mark Williams, lead guitarist of TopDog SA

The jazz world recently celebrated the magnificent Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday, and her timeless repertoire still brings joy to millions of jazz fans across the globe. Join SAMA-winner Anna Davel and the star of My Miriam Makeba Story, Sima Mashazi, for a swinging tribute to Ella Fitzgerald in the Artscape Arena from 19 to 22 December.

The ever-popular Swing Time graces the Artscape Theatre stage from 20 December to 5 January. This is the return of Sean Bovim’s ballet, performed to the music of the swinging ‘30s. Relive the past as you watch the Cape Town City Ballet dancers interpreting hit tunes such as ‘It Had to Be You’, ‘Unforgettable’ and ‘Fly Me to the Moon’.

Summer in Cape Town would not be the same without TopDog SA, who return with their third instalment of the highly acclaimed Nama Jazz Series. The band draws music from an ancient well and fuses it with modern Cape Jazz traditions and genres. This presentation is underscored by the narrative: ‘this is who we are’. Nama Jazz Series will be performed in the Artscape Arena from 28 to 30 December.

The indigenous theme continues with two acclaimed productions in January and February: Sarafina! and Krotoa: Eva van de Kaap. The latter is playwright Sylvia Vollenhoven and director Basil Appollis’ attempt to ‘finish’ the story that started three-and-a-half centuries ago. This musical theatre production is a multilingual, perspective-changing, intercultural, and musical tribute to a shared history between the Dutch and South Africa.

Artscape Theatre Well

Sarafina!, written and composed by the legendary Dr Mbongeni Ngema with additional songs by the late struggle icon Hugh Masekela, is an ode to the lives of our fallen youth who, through their struggles, fought for equality in education in 1976. The show will be staged in early January in the Artscape Arena.

The Michael Jackson HIStory Show makes a welcome return to the Opera House stage in January. A musical tribute and live concert experience that journeys through Michael Jackson’s vast and incredible catalogue of work, this show features all of MJ’s greatest hits performed live by multi-talented impersonator Daniel ‘Dantanio’ Goodman.

Community development is also never absent at Artscape, with the second annual Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Community Gala Concert in February. This is a symphonic platform for community brilliance for several amazing young Capetonians, most of whom are performing in a mainstream symphony concert with a professional orchestra for the first time. It’s a celebration of talent across Cape Town’s communities.

Also in February, and known as the highlight of the creative calendar, Design Indaba’s flagship event has evolved into so much more than a conference. It’s an immersive experience that includes not only a series of design talks by creative industry heavyweights, but also music, performance and theatre, product launches, dance, and surprise appearances by creative industry leaders. Named the best of its kind in the world, the annual Design Indaba Conference presents a stellar selection of international speakers over three days. Compelling presentations combine career-changing insights and the most cutting-edge work on the global circuit.

Throw into this mixed bag of summer goodies, the wildly admired feel-good stage musical and winner of eight Tony Awards, Hairspray, in February and summer is served with absolute style at Artscape. Hairspray’s timeless message is synonymous with Artscape’s: that everyone should be treated equally regardless of social, cultural and physical differences.

Come for the intrigue. Stay for the drama. One thing is clear: at Artscape, you can sing or dance for your supper this summer.