The Fugard Theatre’s closure leaves SA shook
THE ripple effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be felt in the arts and entertainment industry.
Many performing arts institutions have in the past year experienced significant economic setbacks due to the lockdown regulations and this has resulted in closures of several popular theatre houses.
The Fugard Theatre, in Cape Town, has become the latest casualty and has closed its doors permanently after a decade in operation. On Wednesday, Fugard Theatre Founder, producer and benefactor, Eric Abraham, confirmed the theatre’s closure in a statement issued on their website. “After a year of Covid closure, it is with great regret and sadness that I have to confirm that The Fugard Theatre will close permanently with immediate effect,” said Abraham.
He added: “We are not persuaded that it will be Covid safe or financially viable to reopen as a theatre in the foreseeable future.”
Taking to social media, Dr John Kani, Masasa Mbangeni and Luke Tyler, among other actors, directors and producers, shared their heartbreak over learning that the iconic theatre house is shutting its doors for good.
“Sad news. Another icon has fallen to Covid19. The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town has closed its doors forever. It was in this theatre that my new play Kunene and the King had its South African premiere in 2019.
The lights are out, the curtain has fallen and no more applause,” commented legendary actor and director, Dr John Kani.
“Absolutely heartbroken to read about the closing of @TheFugard ... This world-renowned theater is such a big part of our countries history and will be so very sorely missed. #TheFugardTheater #SouthAfrica,” wrote actor Luke Tyler.
“The Fugard Theatre goes dark forever today. My heart breaks for all the people she employed & took care of.
“A country without art is soulless but keep quiet while one by one the theatres go dark you will see,” added actress Masasa Mbangeni. “Is there any way to quantify this on-going loss?
“There’s the material-jobs, livelihoods-and the psychic- stories, gathering, the art of making meaning-audience and performers together. What will be left in a year? In two? It’s not just sad, it’s tragic,” expressed writer and theatre-maker Nadia Davids.
“Another devastating day for South African theatre; an industry decimated by apathy & neglect as much as the damage wrought by Covid-19.
“The Fugard produced 5 of my plays & I will forever be grateful to have been a small part of this mighty institution,” said playwright and director Louis Viljoen
The arts industry has been decimated by the ongoing crisis, with artists embarking on different protests and online petitions demanding the axing of Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa for his lack of support for artists during these challenging times.
This month a group of artists led by Opera singer Sibongile Mngoma staged a sit-in at the National Arts Council (NAC) in Newtown, Johannesburg, in Newtown to protest corruption and lack of support for artists in South Africa.
The sit-in came just a day after the NAC council suspended CEO Rosemary Mangope and CFO Clifton Changfoot pending an investigation in relation to the management of the R300m presidential employment stimulus programme (Pesp).
In January, a group of theatremakers and practitioners started an online petition urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe Mthethwa.