Market Theatre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa was established in 1976 as an independent non-racial theatre under apartheid South Africa.
Contents |
[edit] History
It is situated in downtown Johannesburg, in part of an Edwardian building that served as a produce market for over 60 years.
By 1974 the building was run down and neglected, and a group of artists, including Barney Simon and Mannie Manim, raised funds to save the building. Renovation work started, with a lot of the work being done by the artists themselves. Most of the original architecture remains, as do a number of the original signs.
It became a focal point for local artists and in time gained an international reputation as the "Theatre of the Struggle". In the 1980s it was one of the few places that blacks and whites could mix on equal terms.
Today it remains at the forefront of South African theatre.
[edit] Facilities
The original market building is now houses both Museum Africa and The Market Theatre complex. The theatre complex comprises three theatres, two galleries, restaurants, bars and a jazz club and features a flea market on Saturday mornings.
It offers theatre, music, dance and the allied arts as well as training in the arts.
[edit] Selection of featured artists
Over the years the theatre has played host to a number of internationally acclaimed artists including Athol Fugard.
It has also introduced the works of many of South Africa's leading playwrights and directors, including Welcome Msomi, Zakes Mda, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Gibson Kente, Paul Slabolepszy, Mbongeni Ngema, Adam Small, P G du Plessis, Kessie Govender, Bartho Smit, Maishe Maponya, Percy Mtwa, Deon Opperman, Reza de Wet and Matsemela Manaka.
