Once a space reserved for a select few, the Artscape Theatre Centre has come a long way over the years to become an inclusive platform for expression, access and opportunity for all.
Cape Town, South Africa (05 May 2026) – On 19 May 2026, the Artscape Theatre Centre (Artscape) marks 55 years of performance, transformation and cultural exchange! A milestone that reflects not only the productions staged within its walls, but the story of a country in transition.
Originally opened in 1971 as the Nico Malan Theatre – a space reserved for a select few under apartheid – Artscape has evolved into something far more meaningful: a place for all.
This 55th anniversary, under the theme “A Place for All”, Artscape will celebrate that journey. It is not simply about looking back, but about recognising how a building once defined by exclusion has become a space of access, expression and shared cultural experience.
Artscape Anniversary Programme
The anniversary programme launches on 19 May at 11 am with the unveiling of a memory wall, Becoming Artscape – A Place Reborn. This will be followed by an open press conference to which the public is also invited, as at 12 pm, everyone will be asked to be part of an historic photograph on the steps of the building.
The proceedings conclude with a special free lunchtime concert, welcoming everyone to experience the energy of the space firsthand – not as spectators, but as participants.
Lunchtime Concert Series
While this performance marks the start of the celebrations, the lunchtime concert series itself forms part of Artscape’s ongoing commitment to access.
Introduced and championed under the leadership of CEO Marlene Le Roux, these concerts have become a regular and much-loved feature – offering many their first experience of live performance inside the theatre.
This moment sets the tone for a year-long programme of productions, alongside free tours, masterclasses and public engagements, all designed to make the theatre feel welcoming and accessible.
Artscape Career Expo
Among these is the Artscape Career Expo on 6 June, a standout initiative aimed at young people. Beyond the spotlight, it reveals the vast ecosystem behind every production – from lighting and sound design to costume, production, technical operations and building management. Because what happens on stage is only possible through what happens behind it.
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Anniversary Gala Concert
An anniversary gala concert is another date for the diary. Taking place on 8 November this year, this concert, produced and directed by Basil Appollis (who also directed the theatre’s 50th-annversary), will be a glamorous night to remember.
A Note on Masterclasses
To demystify the arts and to give insight into the business of the arts, Artscape, in collaboration with the associated arts companies and partners, will host a series of Saturday Masterclasses from May to November 2026.
The first masterclass, Fast Track to Opening Night on 23 May, will be with KMH Architects on the design, build, and accessibility of the Artscape building, followed by a masterclass facilitated by Africa Melane on Funding the Arts.
More Than a Theatre
Artscape is not just a venue – it is a national cultural asset. A working, living space that depends on constant care, creativity and collaboration to sustain itself. Every ticket purchased supports not only the artists on stage, but the continued life of the building – ensuring that it remains open and accessible for generations to come.
From opera to jazz, ballet to hip-hop, classical to contemporary – Artscape has become a space where all forms of expression are welcomed and respected. It is a place where cultures meet, collaborate and share. A space where the arts can exist freely, creating dialogue and connection.
In many ways, Artscape reflects the spirit of South Africa’s Constitution – affirming the right of all to participate in the cultural life of the country and to express themselves freely through the arts.
“This building has walked a long road,” Marlene Le Roux reflects.
“From a space that excluded the majority of South Africans, to one that now actively welcomes and embraces all who enter it. Accessibility is not a concept for us – it is a daily commitment. Whether it is physical access for persons with disabilities, representation on our stages, or ensuring that people feel they belong here, this is the work we do every day. Artscape is more than a theatre. It is a meeting place – a space where difference is not only accepted but celebrated. We are, truly, a place for all.”
Looking Ahead
As Artscape enters its next chapter, the focus turns to the future:
- Advocating for the arts to be part of education
- Nurturing young talent through access and exposure
- Creating pathways into the creative economy
- Encouraging audiences to value and support live performance.
Zak Gordon, Chairman of the Board of Artscape, sums it up:
“As we mark 55 years, our focus remains on ensuring Artscape continues to serve as an inclusive platform for expression, access and opportunity for all.”
The sustainability of spaces like Artscape depends not only on infrastructure, but on a society that values, supports and participates in the arts. Therefore, as part of the celebrations, a limited number of R55 early-bird tickets will be made available for select performances in the Opera House and Theatre. These tickets, limited to two per person, will be available via Dial-A-Seat on a first-come, first-served basis.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture Joe McGluwa notes:
“I feel part of the very furniture of Artscape…it is a living symbol of transformation – sprung from division to unity. Once a place open to a few, it now stands proudly as a space open to everyone.
“Equally inspiring is Artscape’s stellar record of clean audits over the past few years. This accolade not only strengthens its role as a trusted custodian of the arts and the broader community. It’s a powerful testament to integrity accountability, and excellence in governance. So let us all raise a toast …Congratulations, Artscape, on 55 years of excellence, creativity, inclusivity, and good governance.”
For over five decades, Artscape has been more than a backdrop. It has held the voices, the stories, the music and the movement of a country in transition. It has welcomed generations through its doors – some for the first time, others returning again and again.
And now, it opens those doors wider than ever. Because this is not just a theatre – it is a place for all.
Artscape’s 55-year journey is supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Western Cape Government, and the City of Cape Town.
Artscape Anniversary Event Details:
Date: 19 May 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm
Where: Artscape Opera Bar
What: Open press conference followed by a lunchtime concert
Performers:
The WCED School Bands performing at the Lunch Hour Concert are:
- Mbekweni CMA
- Cedar High School
- Rhodes High School
- Athlone School for the Blind
Tickets: Free
Sources: Artscape Theatre Centre
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