The Fugard is a new theatre for all the residents of Cape Town located in the legendary District Six area. The inaugural season featured the world premiere of THE TRAIN DRIVER, a new play written and directed by Athol Fugard, for whom the theatre is named.
The new theatre is an exciting example of what can transpire when local talent and vision meets committed international support. Located in the historic Sacks Futeran building in the District Six area, it is named in honour of Athol Fugard, one of South Africa’s most iconic theatre personalities.
The theatre complex redeveloped two warehouse spaces and a church to create the 270-seater theatre, a rehearsal studio, foyer space, dressing rooms and full staff facilities.
As a textile and soft goods supplier in the early twentieth century, the building was frequented by generations of District Six seamstresses and tailors.
South African born Eric Abraham underwrote the multi-million Rand project to renovate and transform the old textile warehouse into a fully-equipped 270-seat theatre. The architect firm Rennie Scurr Adendorff brought this unique project to fruition, with architect Shaun Adendorff the creative drive behind the design of the new theatre. R&N Master Builders were the building company responsible for the major renovations. Care was taken to preserve this National Heritage Site, which includes the remnant of an old Gothic-style church.
“South Africa’s real wealth lies in the abundance of talent to be found in its people, from sport to culture,” said Abraham. “I commissioned The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town as a gesture of faith in this country and its potential to make a significant contribution to world culture. The transformational nature of theatre is well-documented and what we have here is an internationally track-recorded South African theatre company and a world class theatre. We intend to make both one of the main cultural landmarks of the Southern hemisphere”.
Abraham, a former foreign correspondent and human rights activist, was banned and house-arrested by the apartheid government in 1976, and exiled for 15 years. In London, he became a BBC journalist and then went on to produce film and theatre. He produced the Oscar-winning Czech film KOLYA and the Olivier award-winning Isango Portobello’s THE MAGIC FLUTE – IMPEMPE YOMLINGO.
Productions performed on the Fugard stage include Athol Fugard’s THE TRAIN DRIVER, Isango Portobello’s THE MAGIC FLUTE – IMPEMPE YOMLINGO, THE MYSTERIES – YIIMAMNGALISO, AESOP’S FABLES and THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS, the South African transfer of Sean Mathias’ acclaimed production of WAITING FOR GODOT, starring Ian McKellen, Peter Dirk Uys’ F.A.K SONGS AND OTHER STRUGGLE ANTHEMS, Lara Bye’s LONDON ROAD by Nicholas Spagnoletti and Marthinus Basson’s MAN TO MAN / AS DIE BROEK PAS by Manfred Karge.
Forthcoming productions for 2011 include Janice Honeyman’s THE CAPTAIN’S TIGER – DIE KAPTEIN SE TIER by Athol Fugard and Hennie van Greunen’s DIE NAAIMASJIEN by Rachelle Greeff starring Sandra Prinsloo.
Read a message from the team behind The Fugard.
Click here to watch a BBC news report on the opening of the theatre.
Click here to listen to a BBC Radio report on the opening of the theatre.
Click here for a selection of press coverage.