ARTSCAPE* DF MALAN STREET, FORESHORE 021 410 9800, artscape.co.za
Established back in 1971, Artscape is a multifunctional creative centre dedicated to bringing the arts to a wider audience. The opera house seats close to 1 500 people and plays host to large-scale productions such as ballets and classic shows, while smaller performances are staged in the 500-seat Arena theatre.
THE BAXTER THEATRE* MAIN ROAD, RONDEBOSCH
ENTERTAINMENT CAPE TOWN CITY BALLET* 021 492 5950, capetowncityballet.org.za Staging the classics and original pieces, the CTCB is a treat for anyone with a love of dance.
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE
021 685 7880, baxter.co.za
The Baxter is an institution in the Cape – throughout the apartheid era, its doors remained open to everyone, drawing on and nurturing local talent. Today, it is still at the forefront of the arts, with a line-up that has something for everyone – from drama, ballet and live music to comedy, children’s theatre and even hypnotism.
CAPE TOWN COMEDY CLUB THE PUMPHOUSE, 6 DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 8880, capetowncomedy.com
The brainchild of local funny man Kurt Schoonraad, the Cape Town Comedy Club is the city’s ‘first and favourite’ stand-up club. Catch local up-and-comers sharing the stage with more established names on the SA comedy scene.
BARNYARD THEATRE TYGER VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE
CALLING ALL MUSIC, THEATRE AND CINEMA BUFFS
ERIN AND LOWER BURG RD, RONDEBOSCH
CAPE TOWN OPERA
021 914 8898, barnyardtheatre.co.za
021 001 9880, capetownopera.co.za
Capetonians love a good party, and live performances and theatre productions rate equally high on the agenda. Since opening in 1996, the Barnyard Theatre has staged show after show to sold-out crowds. With a full menu and drinks list at your disposal, sit back and partake in the variety of productions on offer – from ’80s rock retrospectives and children’s theatre to intimate concerts, comedies and so much more.
With an eye on being the best company of its kind in the world, the Cape Town Opera offers a full and varied programme of first-class operatic productions staged at various venues around the city.
CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 021 410 9809, cpo.org.za
This ‘orchestra for all seasons’ contributes greatly to Cape Town’s status as a cultural capital. In addition to regular symphonic concerts, it also provides accompaniment to the Cape Town City Ballet.
EVITA SE PERRON OLD DARLING STATION, 8 ARCADIA STREET, DARLING 022 492 2101, evita.co.za
‘I’ve opened a theatre in Darling, darling,’ Pieter-Dirk Uys told his friends in 1996. The old station building has come a long way from its derelict roots, and is now the home of Uys’s hilarious alter ego Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout. Here, he performs his acclaimed satirical shows with their cast of local political characters. A restaurant, art gallery and museum complete the scene.
THE FUGARD THEATRE* CNR CALEDON AND BUITENKANT STREETS 021 461 4554, thefugard.com
Named in honour of master playwright Athol Fugard, The Fugard Theatre opened its doors in 2010 in the Fringe District, the city’s edgy hub of arts and culture. Watch highly acclaimed localand international productions in this industrial-chic space that is usually packed to capacity.
LABIA THEATRE 68 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS 021 424 5927, thelabia.co.za Locals are nothing short of in love with this charmingly ageing cinema complex. Originally the Italian embassy’s ballroom, it was opened in 1949 by Princess Labia. You can catch art-house and mainstream films here, with popcorn, home-made treats and alcoholic drinks available.
THEATRE ON THE BAY* 1A LINK ROAS, CAMPS BAY 021 438 3301, pietertoerien.co.za
A stone’s throw from one of Cape Town’s most popular beaches, this theatre hosts local and international productions, from comedy and drama to Broadway musicals. Enjoy a pre-show dinner at SideDish Theatre Bistro.
*Book tickets for these theatres via Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or at computicket.com
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