THE MARKET THEATRE AND MARKET SQUARE TOUR
The Market Theatre’s history goes back a long time. The Edwardian structure, once a market known as the Old Indian Market or simply Newtown Market opened as a theatre in 1976 (the same week as the Soweto uprisings).
The market’s cathedral-like dome was turned into three new theatres by, most famously, Mannie Manim and Barney Simon. The theatre has since been one of the most influential performance spaces in South Africa, even the world.
The anti-apartheid stance of productions, as well as it’s political agenda and fearless inclusiveness, has made The Market Theatre a beacon of hope in our downtrodden society. The new tour highlights its history, but also shifts focus to its future.
The newly built Market Square has brought an interesting dynamic to the arts hub in Newtown. Apart from its award-winning architecture and the superb design, the new building is a multifaceted space for creatives. Classrooms, rehearsal space, offices, boardrooms and an art gallery all form part of a creative heartbeat.
The square, just across the road from the theatre complex and adjacent to Mary Fitzgerald Square, is a campus for students at the Market Theatre Laboratory and
Market Photo Workshop. During the tour, you’re more than likely to run into a few students – glowing from a dance class or merely scurrying to their next lesson.
The guided tour is also presented and narrated by Busi Letwaba, a Market Theatre graduate. While the tour points out architecture and features that come from the theatre complex’s day as a market, there’s a rich history in every room.
Letwaba gives a passionate delivery on every subject, and it’s rare to visit famous spaces such as the Dr John Kani Theatre or the Mannie Manim Theatre (previously know as the Laager Theatre) without the buzz of a show night crowd. The simple beauty of these performance spaces, so bare, again shows you how important it is to support every production at the Market Theatre. Parts of Newtown, such as Kippies Bar, is also included in the tour.