The Baxter Theatre Centre is an iconic Cape Town spot for lovers of the performing arts. Sitting at the foot of the mountain on UCT’s lower campus, the theatre is known for telling important South African stories.
Here’s what you can watch for the rest of January:
Die Fel Omstrede Kroon, Edward II & Gaveston
Performed in Afrikaans with English subtitles, this exciting drama is loosely based on Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II of 1594. Marlowe, a contemporary and rival of Shakespeare, himself happily reworked the tragic history of King Edward II of England who was deposed in 1327 after a messy reign and was then, possibly, murdered by the nobles.
The question arises: ‘what does it mean to wear the crown and how do you reconcile your own needs with the expectations of the nobility and the mob, as well as those of your wife and child?’ These questions have been much discussed recently after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the succession of the present king with the complex history between king and ex-wife, the conflict between parent and children and the added tension between public and political sentiments.
King Edward I is dying and would like his crown can go to his grandchild instead of his son whom he despises because of a relationship with his childhood friend, Gaveston, who at this point is in exile. But Edward II is crowned, Gaveston is unbanned and their love not only thrives, Gaveston is elevated to the status of king himself. This leads to consternation and the fury of both the nobility and the populace.
After an incident in which Gaveston publicly exposes the archbishop for the scum he really is, he is banished yet again. The situation turns into a political and personal crisis for all involved.
- Dates: 17 to 27 January
- Duration: 140 minutes (incl. interval)
- Age restriction: 13+
- Cost: R150 – R250
- Tickets: webtickets.co.za
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Alice Phoebe Lou Live
Alice Phoebe Lou will perform a solo concert at the Baxter concert hall, with special guests Koze Zwane and Luh’ra opening up this intimate and acoustic event.
All profits will be donated to Gift of the Givers to assist in their humanitarian efforts from Cape Town to Gaza and across the world, bringing much needed disaster response, food, water, healthcare and education to the most vulnerable people, bringing a sense of hope and restoring dignity to millions of people.
- Dates: 20 January
- Cost: R220
- Tickets: webtickets.co.za
Robert and Clara Schumann: Very Private Lives
The story of Robert and Clara Schumann is one of the greatest love stories in classical music. He, an introverted genius and she, one of the greatest pianists of the era. It’s a love story between the self-taught outsider, seeking to gain acceptance among his better-known contemporaries, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Liszt, and his wife who sacrificed her career to promote her husband’s music and support him financially.
- Dates: 24 January
- Cost: R150 – R175
- Tickets: webtickets.co.za
Also read: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre presents Romeo & Juliet
Nik Rabinowitz – Rambunctious
Having survived a pandemic, an ISIS terror threat, and thruples therapy with his mother, Nik Rabinowitz returns to The Baxter to bring you his unadulterated thoughts and feelings on none of the above (except maybe the ISIS thing, because that was kak scary). Expect the unexpected, unless you’re expecting a stand-up comedy show from one of the country’s finest, in which case, expect that.
- Dates: 30 January to 3 February
- Age restriction: 14+
- Cost: R153 – R230
- Tickets: webtickets.co.za
Phillip Dikotla is Phill’ing Good
Phillip Dikotla(Me) is bringing his one man, phill-good comedy experience to the mother city. Get your tickets now, and you can DM him(Me) after.
- Dates: 31 January to 4 February
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Age restriction: 18+
- Cost: R100 – R150
- Tickets: webtickets.co.za
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Also read:
Hear Cameron Peters ‘talk Kalk’ on a Muizenberg to Kalk Bay heritage tour
Picture: The Baxter