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Arts and Theatre in Cape Town |
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New year's eve at the Baxter Theatre |
Although Cape Town might not be on a par with London or Paris when it comes to contemporary art and Theatre there is lots to do and see and something for every taste. There's two big Theatre complex's and a few smaller independents which cater for most tastes and cover everything from classical Shakespeare to High School Musical productions. (If you don?t know what High School Musical is just ask any 7-year-old!). There's also an abundance of contemporary art galleries and for those just wanting to see the latest blockbuster you're never too far away from a multi-screen cinema complex.
There are two main Theatre complexes in Cape Town, Artscape (D F Malan street, Foreshore. Tel: +27 (0) 21 410 9800) and the Baxter Theatre (Main Road, Rondebosch. Tel: +27 (0) 21 685 7880). Both offering a wide range of Theatre, Dance and Music to suit every need. Artscape is a very large Theatre and Arts complex comprising of Opera House, Theatre and an Arena for more intimate shows. Artscape is designed for big international productions such as Aida or The Lion King but also houses some unusual smaller events and exhibitions such as the SA Muscle Evolution Grand Prix, South Africa's biggest Body Building competition. Artscape also hosts Jazzart performances, Cape Town's top contemporary dance company as well as music events from classical and choral through to rock. Also under the Artscape umbrella is The Maynardville open-air Theatre (Maynardville Park, 20 Piers street, Wynberg). Set in a 500 square meter green wooded park the 720 seat theatre plays host to the annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park shows attracting upwards of 20,000 people each year.
The Baxter Theatre comprises a Theatre, Concert hall and the intimate Sanlam Studio Theatre for more intimate performances. The Theatre offers a very diverse cultural experience from Classic theatre, dance, musicals and classical music through to comedy, poetry, choral and children's shows.
Theatre on the Bay (1a Link street, Camps Bay. Tel: +27 (0) 21 438 3301) offers a good mix of contemporary local and international drama, musicals, comedy, cabaret, music and dance. On Broadway (88 Shortmarket Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 424 1194) has an eclectic mixed bag of theatre, comedy and solo performers. If musical theatre is your thing take a look at the Pavillion (BMW Pavillion, V&A Waterfront. Tel: +27 (0) 21 419 7661) for some toe tapping classic old school musical nostalgia.
For amateur dramatics The Masque Theatre (Tel: +27 (0) 21 788 1898) in Muizenberg is the place to be with regular enthusiastic performances. For kids The Whale Show in particular is well worth seeing.
The Kirstenbosch summer concerts (Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Tel: +27 (0) 21 799 8783) run every Sunday, 5:30pm - 6:30pm, from November to April and offer spectacular open-air jazz, rock, folk and big band swing concerts. Even if you don't like the music there's no better place to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, take a picnic and experience Cape Town at it?s best.
There's a good collection of art galleries to view local and international artists. For contemporary galleries check out Michaelis Galleries (Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 480 7111), Goodman gallery (Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock. Tel +21 (0) 21 462 7573) for contemporary South African art, Whatiftheworld Gallery (Albert Hall, 208 Albert Rd, Woodstock. Tel +27 (0) 21 448 1438) for new generation South African contemporary artists, Blank projects (198 Buitengracht Street. Tel: +27 (0) 72 198 9221) for some cool installation art, UCT Irma Stern Museum (Cecil Road, Rosebank. Tel: +27 (0) 21 685 5686) home to a permanent collection from the major South African artist, Joao Ferreira Gallery (70 Loop Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 5403) a fantastic collection of leading contemporary photography, paintings and installations, Bell-Roberts contemporary (Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock. Tel: +27 (0) 21 465 9108) a leading space for contemporary artists, Fine Art by leading South African and International contemporary artists (35 Church Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 424 7436) for contemporary South African art, 34 Long (34 Long Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 426 4594) fine Art by leading South African and International contemporary artists, Michael Stevenson Gallery (Buchanan building, 160 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock. Tel: +27 (0) 21 462 1500) contemporary art from artists all over Africa and Rose Korber Art (48 Sedgemoor Rd, Camps Bay. Tel +27 (0) 21 438 9152) contemporary South African art and ceramics.
There's an abundance of cinemas in Cape Town showing all the latest blockbuster movies the main ones being Ster-kinekor and Nu-Metro and at Ster-Kinekor's Cinema Nouveau (Cavendish Square and V&A Waterfront) you can see some good independent movies. The Labia (68 Orange Street. Tel +27 (0) 21 424 5927) named due to it being opened by Princess Labia in 1949 is Cape Town's oldest cinema and shows some classic oldies and off-beat gems. |
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