About The Fugard
The Fugard Theatre is the namesake of internationally-acclaimed playwright, Athol Fugard. With over 30 plays under his belt, Fugard is one of South Africa's most successful playwrights. His contribution to the South African theatre canon, in particular protest theatre against apartheid, is near unrivaled. In 2011 he received a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre, not only proving his achievements in South Africa, but across the world.
The Fugard Theatre is located in District Six in Cape Town. Located within the historic Sacks Futeran building, the theatre seats 320 guests at its two venues. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, all operations at The Fugard have been put on hold since March 2020.
In response to the global pandemic, the Fugard has endeavored to embrace digital technology and online streaming solutions. Throughout lockdown, their team has been hard at work developing their own online platform - The Fugard At Home. As of Monday, 01 June 2020, this platform will go live bringing faithful Friends of the Fugard a variety of online content. Here's just some of what's on the lineup for the Fugard At Home streaming series this June:
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"Master Harold"...and the Boys
Shortly before government declared the COVID-19 virus outbreak a national disaster, The Fugard opened their special 10th anniversary season of "Master Harold"...and the Boys. One of Athol Fugard's best known plays, "Master Harold", explores themes of South African identity, common humanity and the journey from boy to man. Thankfully, The Fugard recorded the production shortly before government implemented the national lockdown period. You can now stream the show from The Fugard At Home platform for free. However, if you would like to make a donation towards The Fugard Theatre, you may do so here.
The Road to Mecca
This production of Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca was filmed in 2018 in honour of the playwright's 85th birthday. One of Fugard's only plays to feature two female characters at the centre of the action, The Road to Mecca was inspired by Helen Martins, a woman who lived in Nieu-Bethesda and created the now famous Owl House. The Road to Mecca is the story of "a woman’s desire for personal and artistic freedom within the narrow confines of a conservative and highly religious community in the Karoo in early seventies apartheid South Africa." This is a definite must-watch starring Sandra Prinsloo, Marius Weyers and Emily Child. Stream The Road to Mecca on The Fugard At Home platform now.
The Performer Series
Due to COVID-19 regulations, The Fugard will not be able to host any live gatherings until further notice. However, they have come up with an innovative solution to continue with their planned production schedule and to help support the performers who are without an income at present. Cue The Performer Series! Due to launch in coming weeks, this live streaming series will include productions of Hamlet, Night Mother, A German Life and Pieter Dirk Uys, as well as some new curated works covering dance, live music and poetry from The Fugard Theatre's original 2020 lineup. The theatre will record these shows under stringent health and safety protocols before broadcasting them directly to you at home!
All Performer Series shows will be free to stream, but The Fugard does ask that you make a donation towards the artists featured in the series. All donations will go directly to the performer. Keep an eye out for announcements about The Performer Series here.
For More Information
Follow The Fugard Theatre on social media to stay up to date with their work during lockdown:
Details: (Tel) 021 461 4554 | [email protected]