The Best Theatre Experiences in Cape Town

Cape Town has a great bustling cultural atmosphere. And across the city you will find little hubs of creativity, offering world-class shows to theatre fans.  You can pick and choose between musicals, ballets, and other productions. There’s something for everyone’s taste! Enjoy a wide variety of original South African works, and excellent international productions.

The Artscape Theatre | DF Malan Street | Foreshore

It’s one of the biggest theatres in the Mother City, with a strong focus on the performing arts. The space also creates a platform for audience development education, youth music competitions, writing programmes, and a resource centre. Some of the world-class productions that have graced the stage include Swan Lake, War Horse, and The Sound of Music. Pop in at the Arts Café before a production. They are also open per occasion for breakfast and lunch. Subject to production times.

Visit www.artscape.co.za for more information

Fugard Theatre | Corner of Calendon and Buitenkant Street | Zonnebloem (District Six)

This popular theatre is named after Athol Fugard, a world-famous South African playwright. It’s located in the Sacks Futeran building, an iconic National Heritage Site, which has been meticulously preserved. There are three different theatre spaces inside: a bioscope, a 150-seater, and a 280-seater. With is location in the historic District Six area, it often lives up to its challenging heritage with thought-provoking shows such as A Human Being Died That Night, and Waiting for Godot. Make sure you arrive a bit early to enjoy the bar, which is open two hours before each show as well as afterwards. You can also take your drink into the various venues.

Visit www.thefugard.com for more information

Alexander Upstairs Theatre | 76 Strand Street | CBD

The Alexander Bar is a rustic restaurant with a vintage feel to it. And upstairs it has a little intimate theatre space, with only 40 seats. They host a wide variety of shows including comedy, live music, drama, readings and more. Grab dinner before or after your show and take your drink in with you. There are often two shows a night to choose from, one usually starting at 7PM and the other at 9PM.

Visit alexanderbar.co.za for more information

The Rockwell Dinner Theatre | 32 Prestwich Street | Green Point

The unique dinner theatre inside the Rockwell Hotel was created by showbiz heavyweight Richard Loring (African Footprint fame), together with his good friend Roland Seidel. The theatre offers an all-round entertaining evening with dinner (buffet style) and a show. Almost every night of the week you can sit down with your plate full of delicious food and listen to stories of Cape Town’s vibrant history. Kaapse Stories from the Mother City is an interactive musical production with song and humorous storytelling.

Visit the Rockwell Hotel dinner theatre website for more information

The Theatre on the Bay | 1a Link Street | Camps Bay

Another legendary name in the South African entertainment world, is Pieter Toerien. He stepped onto the scene when he was only 17 years old and have influenced the entertainment landscape of the country with many valuable contributions. His own personal theatre hosts a mix of local and international drama, comedy, cabaret, musicals, and dance.

And you can pop in at the Sidedish Theatre Bistro for a decadent meal before your show.

Visit www.pietertoerien.co.za for more information

The Baxter Theatre | Main Road | Rondebosch

The Baxter Theatre Centre was built in 1976. It strived to challenge the repressive apartheid regime by staging multi-racial and experimental shows, ignoring racial discrimination and censorship. Over the years countless theatre legends performed at the centre including famous names such as Andrew Buckland and John Kani. Till this day the theatre strives to stage high calibre acclaimed productions that challenge theatre patrons. Pop in at the Long Bar for a quick drink or sit down and relax at the buffet-style Baxter Restaurant before your show.

Visit www.baxter.co.za for more information

The Maynard Open-Air Theatre | Maynardville Park | cnr Wolfe Road and Piers Street | Wynberg

The yearly Artscape Shakespeare-in-the-Park hosted at this popular outdoor theatre is a favourite activity of Capetonians. The stage is surrounded by 720 seats. But beware, you must dress warmly, even though the shows are in summer. Pack a picnic basket and stop in the park for a pre-show picnic. And there are also drink and food stalls available. Shows are mostly hosted during the summer months and include classical music performances and comedy shows.

Visit www.maynardville.co.za for more information

The Rainbow Puppet Theatre | Constantia Waldorf School | Spaanschemat River Road | Constantia

This is the only permanent puppet theatre in South Africa. On Saturday mornings and during school holidays a fairy tale, inspired by Grimm’s classics, is performed in the kindergarten section of the Constantia Waldorf School. Every month, the productions are rotated to keep the magic fresh.

Visit The Rainbow Puppet Theatre Facebook page for more information

The Barnyard Theatre | Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre | 39 Carl Krone Drive | Tygervalley

The Barnyard Theatre group has venues scattered across the country. Currently they are situated in Willowbridge but will be relocating to Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in September 2019. Their in-house productions are vibrant and highly entertaining. The performers and musicians will keep you enthralled. This is another dinner and a show option for you to consider. You can bring your own picnic basket or order pizza at the theatre.

Visit barnyardtheatre.co.za for more information

The Masque Theatre | 37 Main Road | Muizenberg

This first-class 174-seater theatre hosts dramas, musicals, and dancing shows. They also showcase film shows. You can book the venue for private seminars and presentations as well. You can join the Theatre Club for special perks.

Visit masquetheatre.co.za for more information

The Kalk Bay Theatre | 52 Main Road | Kalk Bay

Another little intimate theatre, seating only 78 people. Mingle around in the bar area while you look down at the stage below. They serve snacks, drinks, and light meals. Every Tuesday night there’s a fun show called ‘Theatresports’. You get to watch the performers do live improvisation.

Visit kalkbaytheatre.co.za for more information

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