The Baxter Theatre has made the decision to suspend all performances from December 19, 2020, until the end of January 2021, in order to help curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the theatre explained that as part of their commitment to being a responsible theatre, the Baxter is playing its part to help fight the spread of the disease by suspending all performances over the festive season.

The impacted productions, which would have made up the summer programme, are Living Coloured, Lottering in Lockdown and From Koe’siestes to Kneidlach – With Kids!.

Both, Yusuf Daniels’ Living Coloured, which was adapted by Daniel Mpilo Richards and directed by Loukmaan Adams and Lottering in Lockdown by Marc Lottering will end on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Chantal Stanfield’s From Koe’siestes to Kneidlach – With Kids!, which was due to start on December 22, has been cancelled and is planned to return sometime in 2021.

“I would like nothing more than to stand on The Baxter stage and entertain my fans,” said Marc Lottering. “But right now, it’s more important for all of us to do the right thing and keep each other alive”.

Baxter CEO and artistic director, Lara Foot added: “This was not an easy decision for us to make. As it is, we were closed for seven months of 2020, with a massive loss of income to the theatre and to artists. However, we must do what we can to help mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.

“When looking at the current pattern of increased infections in this established resurgence, we have no choice and keeping our spaces and public safe, is imperative. We hope to welcome audiences back into our spaces where they will be able to enjoy these productions at a later stage and when it is safer to do so.”

Patrons who have booked for Living Coloured and Lottering on Lockdown beyond December 19 are encouraged to change their tickets for an earlier performance before this date, which can be done directly through Webtickets by requesting a refund and rebooking for a different date. The process is easy to follow.

To get a refund, patrons should simply log in to their Webtickets (www.webtickets.co.za) profile, click on “My Tickets”, then select the option “Refund Tickets” next to their ticket for the respective show booked. If payment was made via Pick n Pay or an Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), follow the prompts to enter banking details and receive a confirmation email.

The iconic Baxter Theatre, which opened in 1977 as a pillar of hope during the apartheid era, has taken a massive financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown.

To help stay afloat, they launched their innovative and affordable financial sustainability drive, The Baxter Coffee Angels, back in March when lockdown first began.

While it has received encouraging support, the Theatre is calling for renewed contributions by “buying The Baxter a cup of coffee every month.” It is simple and cost-effective.

Patrons, theatre and art lovers can donate as little as R30 a month (the price of a cup of coffee), or more (where possible), to ensure the iconic theatre’s financial sustainability during this time and into the future.

Click here for details and to donate: http://www.baxter.co.za/BaxterCoffeeAngels

Picture: Facebook / The Baxter Theatre

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