Theatres in Cape Town

The Artscape Theatre, where the architecture is dated but the theatre is often cutting edge. Photo courtesy mallix

Cape Town’s arts scene is exciting and innovative – and there are a number of local theatres offering the best of our home-grown artistic talents.

The Baxter Theatre, +27 (0)21 680 3984, www.baxter.co.za, is situated in Rondebosch and provides a forum for dance, music and live theatre.

Established in 1960, this sturdy brick complex is said to have been inspired by Soviet Moscow’s central train station. A must for comedy festivals, kids’ theatre, and classical music concerts.

The Artscape theatre complex, +27 (0)21 410 9838, www.artscape.co.za, in the city centre, is an all-round arts venue. The architecture dates to the 1970s, but inside the facilities are state-of-the-art.

At the heart of the theatre complex is the 1187-seat opera house and a 540-seat theatre. There is a 120-seat arena and a 100-seat cabaret venue. Artscape is Cape Town’s home of ballet and opera.

On Broadway, +27 (0)21 424 1194, www.onbroadway.co.za, in Long Street in the city centre, is a cameo theatre committed to Cape Town’s cabaret scene. An eclectic crowd frequent this bar-cum-restaurant theatre and if you’re lucky enough you’ll catch satirist Pieter Dirk Uys donning his high heels and bringing the famous Tannie Evita to life.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay, +27 (0)21 438 3300, www.theatreonthebay.co.za, is located in the chi chi suburb of Camps Bay. This theatre stages contemporary plays, farces, musical tributes and reviews. The Act I Theatre Café is a great place for a pre-show dinner as you watch the evening lights of Camps Bay.

In the suburb of Wynberg, you’ll find the Maynardville Open Air Theatre, www.maynardville.co.za. This outdoor theatre has a unique 720-seater theatre setting and is most famous for the annual Shakespeare-In-The-Park event.

The Playhouse, +27 (0)21 852 5182, www.playhouse.com, in Somerset West was opened on May 26 1973, by the Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society.

These days, the Playhouse puts on musicals, reviews and live shows that wow not only its local audience in Somerset West, but visitors from around the world.

Muizenberg boasts the intimate 170-seater Masque Theatre, +27 21 788 6999, that plays host to a variety of professional and semi-professional productions – it is a vibrant theatre that is frequented by audiences and performers from all over Cape Town.

Villa Pascal Theatre, +27 (0)21 975 2566, www.villapascal.co.za, is an intimate, multi-cultural venue offering live entertainment by local and international performers. Discerning music and theatre lovers can bring a picnic basket (wine and snacks) and enjoy a unique theatre experience – the Cape’s only theatre in a house. The theatre is situated in the heart of Durbanville, close to the wine route and the Durbanville Golf Club. The venue opened in August 2003 and is owned by French chanteuse Danièle Pascal and Eugène Lebreton. It’s a popular entertainment destination and tourist attraction, and a unique rendezvous!

Contact Cape Town Tourism for assistance with information on local theatres. There are often special shows on for children especially during school holidays. We can assist you to make theatre reservations and advise on the best local restaurants and bars for pre- and post-theatre visits. Call us on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or email us on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).