Theatres in Cape Town

The best theatres in Cape Town and the surrounds

Ladies and gentleman, are you sitting comfortably? Allow me to present the best theatres in Cape Town and surrounds. Celebrate life while local, international and raw talent perform a variety of theatrics, from Shakespeare to  contemporary musicals.

Theatres in central Cape Town:

The Artscape Theatre 
Artscape’s main aim is to promote performing arts, but it has expanded to include audience development education, writing programmes, a resource centre, youth music competitions and is host to countless festivals. Artscape has an opera house, a theatre, an arena and boasts over 30,000 items of period and contemporary garments which are available for hire.  
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 9am – 11:30pm.
DF Malan Street | Foreshore | Cape Town |+27 (0)21 410 9800

Fugard Theatre
Located in District Six and named after South Africa’s inspirational playwright Athol Fugard, this theatre plays host to a number of critically acclaimed local and international productions. The Fugard is set in the historic Sacks Futeran building, a carefully preserved National Heritage Site.
Opening times:
Monday - Saturday: 7pm - 10pm.
Corner of Calendon and Buitenkant Street | District Six | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 4554

Theatres in the Northern Suburbs:

The Barnyard Theatre
Willowbridge Barnyard Theatre is where it all comes together – friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment!  The in-house production company employs a wide variety of musicians and performers; and the music is vibrant, uplifting and highly entertaining. Patrons sit around heavy wooden tables and can utilise the fully stocked cash bars or coffee stations, while enjoying their own picnic basket or ordering pizzas from the theatre. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday: 6:30pm - 12am, Sunday: 12:30pm to 5pm.
F09 | Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre | 39 Carl Krone Drive | Tygervalley | +27 (0)21 914 8898

Villa Pascal Theatre
Situated in the heart of Durbanville, ‘The Cape’s only theatre in a house’ is a boutique theatre, guesthouse and conference centre as well as amultipurpose and multicultural venue. Villa Pascal offers a wide range of music, comedy, spoken word and theatre genres. Bring a picnic basket (snacks and wine) and enjoy a unique theatre experience.
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 6pm - 9pm.
28 vd Westhuizen Street | Durbanville | +27 (0)21 975 2566

Theatres in the Southern Suburbs

Theatre in the District
This innovative theatre is situated in the last surviving remnants of the original historic District Six area, with interesting, dynamic and new productions finding life in the midst of the old destruction. The Theatre in the District continues the focus on education with arts skills training for the youth, and with performances of Woza Cape Town. 
Opening times: subject to the productions that are taking place.  
106 Chapel Street | District Six | Cape Town | +27 (0)79 770 4686

The Baxter Theatre Centre
This theatre strives to present South African and international cutting-edge and major works. By providing a stage for music, drama, ballet and intimate theatre, the objective is to reflect the cultures of all the people of South Africa on the stages, as well as in the foyers and galleries. 
Opening times: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 11pm, Sunday: subject to productions that are taking place. 
Main Road | Rondebosch | +27 (0)21 685 7880

The Maynard Open-Air Theatre
Having a reputation of being one of the best-loved outdoor theatre venues, the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre offers a wooded park for pre-show picnics and drinks, as well as a unique wooded 720-seater theatre. Well known for Artscape’s annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park, the Maynardville Theatre Trust continues to carry the banner of classical theatre and dance. 
Opening times: subject to productions that are taking place.
Unit 1 | Maynardville | cnr Wolfe Road and Piers Street | Wynberg | www.maynardville.co.za

Theatres in the Cape Peninsula:

The Masque Theatre
The Masque Theatre is an intimate, first-class 174-seater venue and includes dressing rooms, excellent lighting and sound equipment. Currently the theatre hosts live shows (musicals, dramas, dancing), seminars, presentations, film shows, and more. 
Opening times: subject to productions that are taking place.
37 Main Road | Muizenberg | +27 (0)21 788 6999

The Kalk Bay Theatre
The venue has been converted into an intimate, 78-seater theatre. The bar area serves light meals, snacks and drinks, and is set around a gallery - allowing customers to look down onto the stage below. The Kalk Bay Theatre also hosts ‘Theatresports’ every Tuesday night, where the performers do improvisation. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
52 Main Road | Kalk Bay | www.kbt.co.za

Theatres in Stellenbosch:

Oude Libertas Amphitheatre
Overlooking the Stellenbosch mountain range, the mostly Spanish architecture of the theatre adds to the setting. The magnificent view, the charming old trees and picturesque gardens provide the ‘perfect paradise’ destination for all art, music and picnic lovers. The Amphitheatre only operates from November to March.
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday: 20:15pm to 10:30pm, Sunday picnic concerts:  4pm - 9pm.
Corner of  Adam Tas & Oude Libertas Roads | Stellenbosch |  +27 (0)21 809 7473

Dorpstraat Restaurant Theatre
This theatre’s secret to success lies in the unique atmosphere, which is created by the décor, all the pictures of South Africa’s well known artists that adorn the walls, great service, hospitality, amazing shows and the fantastic food. 
Opening times:  Tuesday - Saturday: 6pm till late.
Summerhill Farm | The Shed  | R44 (Klapmuts) | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 889 9158

Amazink Live
This culturally authentic, interactive musical theatre experience takes place just outside of Stellenbosch in the Khayamandi township. Enjoy traditional South African food in the Amazink restaurant while listening to the music inspired by legends such as Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg.
Opening times: Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays: 8pm –late, Sunday: 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
118A Masithandane Street | Khayamandi | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 886 6830

Theatres in the Grabouw:

Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Only 45 minutes drive from Cape Town airport, the amphitheatre is a 600-seater and is specifically designed to take advantage of the natural acoustics of the venue.  A towering Eucalyptus forest circles the intimate open-air arena which has been made from farm timber. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis and picnic baskets can be brought with or booked at the venue. The Amphitheatre only operates from December to March.
Opening times: subject to the concerts that are taking place.
De Rust Estate | N2 | Grabouw | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 844 0605

Theatres in Camps Bay:

The Theatre on the Bay
Peter Toerien’s theatre offers a mixture of local and international drama, musicals, comedy, cabaret, music and dance. The Act I Theatre Café offers a seasonally diverse dinner menu, and is open before and after the performance.  The Coffee Lounge and Dietrich’s Bar is open after each performance where you can join the actors for a nightcap. 
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm to 11:30pm.
1a Link Street | Camps Bay | +27 (0)21 438 3301

Theatres in Somerset West:

The Playhouse Theatre
This theatre hosts a variety of shows in the year, including kids and dance productions. The Green Room has a bar facility and also sells coffee, tea and sweets. The Auditorium seats 194 and is available for hire, as are the costumes. 
Opening times: subject to the productions that are taking place.  
Corner Lourensford and Swalle Roads | Somerset West | +27 (0)21 852 5182 

Theatres in Darling:

Evita se Perron
“I’ve opened a theatre in Darling, darling.” Inspired by the legends of Argentina’s Evita Peron and South Africa’s very own Evita Bezuidenhout, the old station building became Evita se Perron. The focus is on weekends, when a variety of shows are presented at lunchtime and in the evening. The main attractions are the various  chorus line of political characters from Pieter-Dirk Uys’ and of course, Evita Bezuidenhout is the superstar of the stage. 
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday: 10am - 4pm.
Old Darling Station | 8 Arcadia Street | Darling | +27 (0)22 492 2851

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