This summer, one of Cape Town’s most iconic and best loved theatres, Maynardville, celebrates its diamond jubilee.
For 60 years, since its inception in 1956, an annual Shakespeare play has been staged under the stars at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre which is now regarded as one of the most beautiful open-air theatres in the world.
Maynardville’s 60th anniversary coincides with another very auspicious anniversary for the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon as 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Throughout 2016, theatre companies across the globe will pay tribute to William Shakespeare’s lasting legacy as the world’s pre-eminent playwright.
Having staged Shakespeare for over a decade, Artscape has selected to revive their critically acclaimed 2015 production of Othello in partnership with the City of Cape Town. Hailed as “a triumph” by the local press, Othello drew such large audiences in 2015 that additional performances had to be added and the run extended.
Of all Shakespeare’s plays, Othello resonates most within a South African context with its themes of racism, jealousy, passion, obsession and betrayal. These themes powerfully combine in a devastating domestic tragedy that is as gripping today as it was when it was written over 400 years ago. The play is a major attraction for schools all over as it is currently being studied as a Grade 12 set work and is also open to the public.
Artscape is also pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed Cape Town star, Pope Jerrod, has signed on to play the title role of Othello.
Pope has proved to be one of South Africa’s most versatile actors having featured in numerous television and film productions locally and internationally such as “Safe House” alongside Denzel Washington, Taste of Rain, The Lost Future, Hansie Cronje as well as Stokvel and Isidingo amongst others.
The supporting cast include Melissa Haiden as Desdemona, Marcel Meyer as Iago, Lee-Ann van Rooi as Emilia, Stephen Jubber as Cassio, Matthew Baldwin as Roderigo, Faniswa Yisa as Bianca, Robin Smith as Brabantio, Daniel Richards as Lodovico and Siya Sikawuti as Montano and The Duke of Venice.
Award-winning duo, Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer return as the creative team for this production.
Abrahamse & Meyer have achieved international recognition for their innovative Shakespeare productions which include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Maynardville 2013, Artscape and National Arts Festival 2012), Shakespeare’s R&J (National Arts Festival and The Fugard Theatre 2011), The Tragedy of Richard III (National Arts Festival 2010 and Artscape and the Market Theatre 2011) and their most recent production of The Tragedy of Hamlet which proved immensely popular with audiences and critics at the 2015 National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.
WHERE: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre corner Church and Wolfe Streets, Wynberg, Cape Town 7800
WHEN: 26 January till 23 February.
TICKETS: at Box Office, Artscape Dial-a-Seat and Computicket Outlets ranging from R80 – R180.
Photo Credit: Bronwyn LLoyd
