Justin Pearce
A FORTNIGHT ago, Cape Town’s independent theatre types were striking poses of grim resignation and talking about the imminent closure of the Long Street Theatre. Now the expressions have changed — and the shows are going on.
The independent venue, which was started earlier this year, recently faced closure owing to a lack of money; it was established as a space for experimental shows with little financial backing. With the theatre receiving only a small percentage of takings, there wasn’t enough to pay the rent. Now Anglo American Properties, which owns the premises, has allowed the theatre to remain in the building at “a very reasonable rent”, says owner Jimmy Hendrikz.
Hendrikz is aiming to make the theatre pay its way by turning it into what he calls a “theatre nightclub”. Says Hendrikz: “We want to move away from the formal set-up where people arrive, watch the show and then leave.” The theatre’s after-show bar is already popular, and Hendrikz has plans to create a dance area and book bands and DJs. People will buy a ticket which will cover the show and the jol.
The nightclub concept does not change the theatre’s commitment to providing a space for anyone who’s got a show that’s worth putting on. The next one on the programme sounds like live theatre’s ultimate revenge on television. It’s a series of live chat shows presented by playwright Charles Fourie: the first of them features a striptease dancer, a urologist’s secretary, a transvestite and a virgin.
The Long Street Theatre is on the corner of Long and Waterkant streets. For programme information call (021) 418-3496