Artscape Theatre Centre is the main performing arts centre in Cape Town. It opened in 1971 on reclaimed land in the Foreshore area and was originally called the Nico Malan Theatre Centre, after the former administrator of the Cape Province who initiated the project. It was run by the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB); when CAPAB was dissolved in March 2001, the centre was privatised and renamed. The planned opening performance, Verdi's Aida, was cancelled when the title-role singer Emma Renzi fell ill and was replaced by the ballet Sylvia. The complex comprises an Opera House seating 1,487, a Theatre seating around 540 and the Arena Theatre seating 140. It is home to Cape Town Opera and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, and Cape Town City Ballet also performs here.
The Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town, opened in 1971 as the Nico Malan Theatre, is South Africa's most important opera house — after the end of apartheid it was renamed in 2001 and opened to all population groups.
At a glance
- Type
- Multi-genre theatre
- Location
- Kapstadt, South Africa
More venues in South Africa
- State Theatre Pretoria · Multi-genre theatre, Pretoria