The Baxter Theatre Centre is a multicultural entertainment centre at the foot of UCT, providing a stage for various types of professional South African entertainment.
The theatre intends to reflect all aspects of South African culture and society and was famously open to everyone during apartheid.
Here’s what is on this month:
The Gift Fair:
The Gift Fair (previously the Constantia Gift Fair) is an event that aims to celebrate gifts with a difference. The event boasts inspirational ideas and hand-picked innovative products. Attend this event and discover an extravaganza of delights.
Hosting an incredible collection of over 170 of South Africa’s most creative talents in one venue, The Gift Fair showcases a variety of creativity including fashion, ceramics, home décor, jewellery, skincare, children’s toys and clothing and incredible food.
On the Friday evening and over the whole weekend there will be live music.
No dogs are allowed.
- Dates: 2 to 6 November
- Times: 9am to 5pm (4 November until 8pm)
- Tickets: R30 (cash only, children are free)
Hold still:
Acclaimed playwright Nadia Davids and director Jay Pather team up for Davids’ latest play: Hold Still.
Hold Still tells the story of a family shaped by different generational traumas who are faced with confronting their history to get through a single, life-changing night.
The play explores the limits of middle-class empathy, the complexities of inter-racial and intra-cultural families, how political history shapes the individual, and the bond between loved ones.
Set in contemporary London, Rosa and Ben are a progressive couple with a teenage son called Oliver. Oliver decides to hide his best friend, who is an asylum-seeking teenager, in their home. As the night unfolds, Rosa and Ben explore their feelings towards Oliver’s choice, in turn revealing much about their marriage, their histories, and themselves.
The production also brings together a stellar creative team and cast including Andrew Buckland, Mwenya Kabwe, Tailyn Ramsamy and Lyle October.
- Dates: 7 to 19 November
- Start time: Evenings at 7pm, matinees at 2.30pm
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Age restriction: 13+
- Tickets: Thursday to Saturday R190, Monday to Wednesday and matinees R150
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Dinner with the 42’s:
Dinner with the 42’s is set in a future where the human race is close to extinction. Two strangers, Eva and Burn, are put together in a Human Breeding Facility with the task of conceiving a child.
They are required to produce a healthy baby or they will become food – and they do not have a lot of time.
Eva and Burn awkwardly attempt to recreate a ‘first date’ – a long-lost concept – to deal with the stressful situation.
- Dates: 8 to 19 November
- Start time: Evenings at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 6pm
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Age restriction: 16+
- Tickets: R180
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Ek wens Ek wens
This Afrikaans play follows a man named Seb – a mortician that lives a dreary life. He is unhappy and has lost the wonder one can experience in life.
One day, he meets a boy called Gawie, who inspires him to ask himself what his wishes are in life, challenge what is important to him, and truly understand what it is he wants most out of life.
- Dates: 15 to 19 November
- Start time: 7pm
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Age restriction: 13+
- Tickets: R180 (senior citizens R100)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Nik Rabinowitz – Unmuted
Nik Rabinowitz is a stand-up comedian who is returning to the stage at the Baxter Theatre after a sold-out run at the Flipside earlier this year. He is now mask-free and unmuted.
Rabinowitz spent the pandemic doing research on YouTube and is here now to take you on a journey through the crazy post-pandemic world.
- Dates: 17 to 19 November
- Start time: 9pm
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Age restriction: 14+
- Tickets: R170 to R210
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Nêrens Noord-Kaap
Frans, Andries and Ronnie are brothers who haven’t seen each other in years. Now, they are all returning to their childhood home, Nêrens, for their father’s 60th birthday braai.
In a hilarious and heartwarming play, these ordinary men engage with each other through feelings of love, hate and brotherhood they have lost.
This play has had sold-out performances at Woordfees, KKNK and Aardklop.
- Dates: 19 to 26 November
- Start time: Evenings at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Age restriction: 16+
- Tickets: R180 (senior citizens R100)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Gentle and Jaunty: Spanish and Italian songs from the 17th century
The Lutesong Consort are presenting Gentle and Jaunty Spanish and Italian songs from the 17th century. The songs are light-hearted and heartfelt songs from the early baroque arranged for two singers and two historical string instruments.
Indian and African percussion added to the pieces creates unique blended sounds of ancient and modern music. Toe-tapping rhythms are contrasted with the lyrical settings of beautiful Renaissance poetry. Poetry translations will be projected onto a big screen.
Musicians include Lente Louw and Willem Bester for voices, Uwe Grosser on the lute and Baroque guitar, Vera Vukovic on the chitarrone, and Lilavan Gangen on percussion.
- Date: 23 November
- Start time: 10.30am
- Tickets: R80 (senior citizens R45)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Amper Vrystaat
In this Afrikaans play, the Free State is known amongst some as the place where secrets go to rest, and where the earth feels so flat you can see your future in the distance.
The play follows three estranged sisters meeting for their mother’s funeral in a rural town called Amper. The county is alive with questions due to the strange circumstances surrounding her death.
Amper Vrystaat is a comedy that digs deeper into the truth and explores the idea that everyone has a secret.
- Dates: 23 to 27 November
- Start time: Evenings at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age restriction: 16+
- Tickets: R180 (senior citizens R100)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Chosi – Idini Vol. 2
After her successful Idols audition, Chosi is taking the rest of the year off to get in touch with God’s intentions for her with her newfound fame through music.
‘Idini’, the Xhosa word for ‘a sacrifice’ is the answer Chosi got from prayer.
Idini Vol. 2 is an invitation to Chosi’s vulnerable place of worship, using music to ask God the questions on one’s mind. She reimagines God as a loving being there to teach about life, as opposed to the distant figure she was taught he was growing up.
Chosi was raised Christian and was forced to go to church, and her music reflects her navigation of the world, and understanding of her relationship with God.
- Date: 25 November
- Start time: 7pm
- Duration: 150 minutes (including interval)
- Age restriction: 16+
- Tickets: R120 (senior citizens and students R100)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Committed 3.0 LIVE
Committed 3.0 is the third iteration of the Cape Town-based singing ensemble, which originally began in the late 90s.
The current group consists of 6 singers, with the group carrying a long legacy of musical performance and leadership, particularly in church music.
With roots in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape and Zimbabwe, the music is carefully selected and arranged by Lisa-Marie Smith, Neil Masiba and Ongama Masiba.
- Dates: 26 to 27 November
- Start time: Saturday evening 7pm, Sunday matinee 3pm
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Age restriction: 12+
- Tickets: R120
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Sun-Set at Baxter with BCUC + Diamond Thug
Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC) is an incredible afro-psychedelic group from Soweto. BCUC has been entertaining audiences with its modern African soul and funk sounds since 2003.
Just back from a European tour, the group is heading for Cape Town to enjoy summer concerts with local fan favourites as well as Diamond Thug.
Taking place outside on the lawns at the Baxter, BCUC will take you on a provocative and spiritual musical voyage.
- Date: 27 November
- Start time: 5pm
- Tickets: R225 (early bird R150)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
He Had it Coming
He Had it Coming is a collection of sketches, poetry and songs by Mike van Graan. The play will be performed by Kim Blanché Adonis under the direction of Daniel Mpilo Richards.
The production explores relevant themes in contemporary South Africa, particularly around issues related to patriarchy. Van Graan provides commentary mostly in a satirical form, inviting both laughter and critical reflection.
The show first premiered in 2019 but its national tour was cut short by the pandemic lockdowns. The few audiences that did see it commented that it is a play that should be seen by all South Africans.
A content warning is advised as the play deals with subjects of rape, abuse and gender-based violence.
- Dates: 29 November to 1o December
- Start time: 7pm
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age restriction: 18+
- Tickets: R120 (students R80)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Aunty Merle: Things Get Real
Aunty Merle – Things Get Real is comedian Marc Lottering’s new musical comedy, following his smash-hit Aunty Merle – It’s A Girl!
Merle returns two years after her last appearance having survived covid and navigated her way around load shedding. But now, her husband Dennis has been keeping a secret from her, and it is affecting his heart. His doctor advises him to come clean.
Merle’s world is about to be shaken.
Marc Lottering plays the role of Aunty Merle, supported by a dynamic cast.
- Dates: 29 November to 21 January
- Start time: Evenings at 7.30pm, Saturday matinees at 3pm
- Duration: 150 minutes (including interval)
- Age restriction: 13+
- Tickets: R180-R260
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Broadway in Your Backyard
Broadway in your Backyard is a celebration of Northlink College’s 20th anniversary. The Performing Arts Department will showcase its 10 years of musical theatre excellence.
The event will take you on a musical journey where you can sing along to your favourite musical tunes, including Any Dream will do from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sun Rise Sun Set from Fiddler on the Roof and much more.
- Dates: 30 November to 3 December
- Start time: Evenings at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm
- Duration: 120 minutes (including interval)
- Tickets: R120 (matinees R80)
Purchase tickets to the show here.
Also read:
The history of the Baxter Theatre: where art has always included everyone
Picture: The Baxter