From Table Mountain to Table Bay, the Mother City boasts a contemporary mix of historic and modern landmarks. One of which is the Artscape Theatre Centre in Foreshore.
It’s a vibrant and multifaceted arts centre that showcases a world of performing arts and creative excellence. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated night out, a good laugh, an evening of profound perspective or an appreciation of dance and music, there is endless entertainment at this iconic theatre.
Also read: Here’s what’s on The Galileo Open Air Cinema’s screen this month
Check out the Artscape Theatre’s lineup for April:
My Children! My Africa!
After a sold-out season last year, the Abrahamse & Meyer’s critically acclaimed production of Athol Fugard’s 1989 play, My Children! My Africa! has returned to the Artscape’s stage this April.
Set in a township classroom in the Eastern Cape in 1984, an idealistic teacher attempts to instil a love of learning in his gifted pupil, but political unrest and the generational divide soon culminate in an explosive conflict with tragic consequences.
Written by Fugard during the twilight years of the Apartheid regime when the country faced unmatched turbulence, My Children! My Africa! presents a candid and moving portrait of a country on the verge of revolution. This modern classic is Fugard’s hymn to the power of youth, education, hope and ideas, marking an indispensable viewing for all.
- Date: 4 to 19 April
- Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Cost: R80
- Tickets: Webtickets
Opera Shorts – A Festival of Pocket Operas
Featuring a captivating line-up of three bite-sized operas, the Artscape Theatre presents Opera Shorts: A Festival of Pocket Operas from 11 to 21 April.
The series is set to showcase a celebration of operatic innovation and storytelling through three concise operas – the world premiere of Conrad Asman’s Trial by Media, Francis Poulenc’s La voix humaine (The Human Voice) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario) sung in English.
Trial by Media
Conrad Asman delves into the complexities surrounding media perceptions of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial in this new South African opera.
The opera stars Cape Town Opera House Soloist soprano Brittany Smith, fresh from her acclaimed role as Maria in The Sound Of Music for which she won a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for the role.
La voix humaine
Directed by Magdalene Minnar, Poulenc’s La voix humaine is a deeply moving one-act opera that tells the story of a woman dealing with her descent into dementia.
Mezzo-soprano Janelle Visagie performs the role of The Woman, a role that earned her the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Female Opera Singer in 2018.
Der Schauspieldirektor
Mozart’s comedic opera about opera, The Impresario, is presented in English by soprano Alida Scheepers and the Judith Neilson Young Artists Dineo Bokala, Mongezi Mosoaka and Lonwabo Mose, with actor Dean de Klerk.
The story centres around an opera company director and plays on themes of ego and rivalry.
- Date: 11 to 21 April
- Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
- Cost: R150 to R280
- Tickets: Webtickets
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Finding The Light – An evening of Musical Theatre Super Stars!
For five nights only, audiences can experience the transcendent power of some of musical theatre’s best loved shows as top talent from West End, Broadway and South African musical theatre gather together on the Artscape’s stage.
Expect world-class performances of songs from shows including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Company, Annie and many more, with the exquisite on-stage accompaniment by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Also read: Finding the Light in support of Kolisi Foundation at Artscape
The evening will be staged by the UK’s Paul Robinson and hosted by Cape Town’s very own Marc Lottering. 100% of net proceeds from the show will go to The Kolisi Foundation.
- Date: 17 to 21 April
- Duration: 2 hours
- Cost: R180 to R420
- Tickets: Webtickets
Suidoosterfees – Ons Word Mondig
Every year, the Artscape Theatre is enveloped by the Suidoosterfees – a celebration of local culture, heritage and art.
Named after the persistent, dry and iconic wind that sweeps through Cape Town, the festival features an array of performances ranging from dance, drama, comedy and music.
Also read: Suidoosterfees 2024: 21 years of cultural storytelling through art
To celebrate Suidoosterfees’ 21-year milestone, this year they’re pulling out all the stops to keep festival goers entertained. From world-class dominoe competitions to jazz night on International Jazz Day, theatre, music, art and dance productions and discussions by thought leaders in the media and entertainment industries.
The full programme can be found on Suidoosterfees’ website.
- Date: 26 April to 1 May
- Tickets: Webtickets
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Picture: Artscape / Facebook