The vibrant performing arts scene in Cape Town is a theatre lover’s dream, with performances in a variety of genres at playhouses throughout the city.
The Mother City’s stages have something for everyone, from Shakespeare under the stars to stirring ballet, rousing drama, and entertaining comedy.
Also read: Artists currently exhibiting at the Norval Foundation
Here is a list of some of the productions premiering soon on the stages of Cape Town’s many theatre centres.
BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story
Pieter Toerien presents a brand-new, full-scale production of the hit Rock ‘n’ Roll jukebox musical “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” live onstage at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre’s Opera House from March 28, 2023.
Local musician Jethro Tait will play the role of the legendary Buddy Holly, leading an all-South African cast that includes stage favourites Bethany Dickson and Keaton Ditchfield, among many others.
The production features all of Buddy Holly’s most famous songs, including “That’ll Be The Day”, “True Love Ways”, “Oh Boy”, “La Bamba”, “Rave On”, “Everyday”, “Johnny B. Goode”, and the timeless “Peggy Sue”.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Centre Opera House | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 28 March 2023
- Cost: R150 – R500
- Book: Webtickets
- Contact: 021 410 9800
Swan Lake
First performed in St. Petersburg in 1895, the world’s most beloved ballet, “Swan Lake”, will grace the Mother City when this grand and sumptuous production arrives at Artscape Opera House, Cape Town, on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
“Swan Lake” beckons the audience to another world from the first immortal bars of Tchaikovsky’s score in this classic tale of good triumphing over evil. Be enchanted by Prince Siegfried’s love for the Swan Queen Odette, the unforgettable corps de ballet moving in magical unison, glistening swans and breathtaking ballroom scenes.
This unforgettable and stirring “Swan Lake” production comes to South Africa’s most prestigious theatres for a strictly limited season, and with over 20,000 tickets already sold, you can’t afford to wait.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Centre Opera House | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 13 July 2023
- Cost: R250 – R690
- Book: Computicket
- Contact: 021 410 9800
Yugen
“Yugen” is a celebration of dance and youth – a profound, mysterious sense of the universe’s beauty that elicits a strong emotional response.
New World Dance Theatre and 34/18 Youth Dance Company have joined forces to create a collaborative dance performance at Artscape.
NWDT and the 34/18 Youth Dance Company embody humanity, life, and an ongoing commitment to being change agents through the arts and carrying on Charlotte Maxeke’s legacy: always give of yourself.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Centre Arena | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 29 March 2022
- Cost: R100
- Book: Computicket
- Contact: 021 410 9800
Kunene and the King
This play follows the confrontational dynamics of two men who represent polarised aspects of South African life. As the country celebrates the 25th anniversary of its first post-apartheid democratic elections, the play becomes an exploration of race, class, politics, theatre and Shakespeare’s potentially unifying power.
Michael Richard plays Jack Morris, a cantankerous old actor hoping to overcome severe liver cancer in order to play King Lear in Cape Town. Kani is Lunga Kunene, a retired caregiver assigned by an agency to care for this rambunctious thespian.
South African actor, activist and playwright John Kani’s refreshingly funny and vital new play premiered in 2019 at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon before moving to the Ambassadors Theatre in London.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Centre | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 16 March 2023
- Cost: R160 – R200
- Book: Computicket
- Contact: 021 410 9800
Our Oceans Our Future
Can life on Earth survive the destruction of its oceans? Do children have a future on this planet? Is there anything we can do to protect our planet? These are the themes explored by SboNdaba Dance in their innovative new dance and theatre production, which premieres at Artscape in collaboration with environmental non-governmental organizations.
“Our Oceans, Our Future” is an emotional call to everyone to get involved in environmental activism, to add their voice, to get involved, to volunteer, to make a difference, and to be the change.
This production not only addresses critical issues concerning the natural world and the oceans, but it also gets audiences thinking and feeling.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Centre | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 30 March 2023
- Cost: R150
- Book: Computicket
- Contact: 021 410 9800
We Will Rock You
Showtime Management, in collaboration with Selladoor Worldwide, Carlos Candal, Gavin Kailin Productions, and Limelight Productions, presents Queen and Ben Elton’s electrifying hit music, “We Will Rock You”.
A brand-new production of Queen and Ben Elton’s multi-award-winning rock musical “We Will Rock You” will premiere in Johannesburg in March 2023, then move to Cape Town in May 2023 before embarking on an international tour.
“We Will Rock You” features 24 of Queen’s greatest hits, including “It’s a Kind of Magic”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Fat Bottomed Girls”, “Another One Bites the Dust”, “We Will Rock You”, “We Are the Champions”, and the mega-hit “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and tells the story of a group of bohemians in a dystopian future.
Galileo, Scaramouche, and the Killer Queen are just a few of the leading characters who will transport audiences to the future.
- Location: Artscape Theatre Opera House | D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town
- Starting date: 5 May 2023
- Cost: R100 – R500
- Book: Ticketmaster
- Contact: 021 410 9800
The Rangers
“The Rangers” is a psychological thriller with darkly comedic undertones that follows childhood best friends Zakes and Charlie as they search for Zakes’ brother, who went missing ten years ago after a family tragedy.
When they find him, sickening past secrets are revealed, and the friendship between the two friends and the estranged brother is severely strained.
“The Rangers” is written and directed by Daniel Newton and stars Nicholas Pauling, Aidan Scott and Lyle October.
- Location: Baxter Theatre Centre | Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
- Starting date: 15 March 2023
- Cost: R90 – R150
- Book: Webtickets
- Contact: 021 685 7880
So I Wrote That Musical
Marc Lottering’s new stand-up comedy show, “So I Wrote That Musical,” is a satire on musical theatre. Marc’s smash-hit musical “Aunty Merle Things Get Real” was just released. It was Lottering’s third musical, and it was seen by over 40,000 people.
One of South Africa’s favourite comedians shares hilarious stories in his new solo stand-up show as he reflects on the fascinating process of transitioning between the worlds of stand-up comedy and musicals. And, as is to be expected, Lottering will weave in his thoughts on the madness that is contemporary South African life.
“So I Wrote That Musical” will have a limited run in the Baxter Concert Hall from March 21 to April 1, 2023; however, it will return to the Baxter later this year.
- Location: Baxter Theatre Centre | Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
- Starting date: 21 March 2023
- Cost: R180 – R220
- Book: Webtickets
- Contact: 021 685 7880
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Picture: Unsplash
