4 Best Performing Arts in Cape Town, South Africa

The Baxter Theatre Complex, part of the University of Cape Town, hosts a range of productions from serious drama to satirical comedies, as well as some rather experimental stuff. The complex includes a 666-seat theater, a concert hall, a smaller studio, and a restaurant and bar.

This theater is named after legendary and internationally renowned playwright Athol Fugard, who was at the heart of the protest theater movement in 1980s apartheid South Africa. Anything cutting edge and politically relevant arrives at the Fugard. The 320-seat theater itself sits on the edge of the historical and oh-so politically relevant District Six area.

During the summer, when the weather's good, Cape Town has its own version of New York City's Central Park's Shakespeare in the Park at the excellent Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Theatergoers often bring a picnic supper to enjoy before the show.

The most current local and international productions are put on here. One of South Africa's best theaters, it was started and is still run by renowned local impresario Bobby Heaney. The location across the road from Camps Bay is great. Ruby Wax loved performing here so much that she bought a house down the road.