Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fugard’s window to the world
The Bioscope puts you in the heart of the action so you can experience the best plays, operas and ballets, writes
WHILE we are lucky to have wonderful stage productions all around Cape Town, culture vultures have even more access to some of the best plays, operas, and ballets in the world through the screenings at the Fugard Bioscope at Fugard Theatre.
From small beginnings, it’s now in its sixth year, with more titles; on Sundays at 11am you can watch something wonderful.
“The Fugard Bioscope has gained momentum every year and we are delighted to be presenting our most extensive programme yet for the 2017 season,” said Greg Karvellas, resident director and general manager of the Fugard Theatre.
“With our full-size high definition screen and the nature of the live recordings, the experience puts you right on stage, in the heart of the action.”
With a 7.1 Dolby digital surround-sound system in an actual theatre, this is quite true and it’s easy to imagine you’re in the West End.
Last weekend some members of the media were invited to try the experience.
The rooftop isn’t usually open on Sundays but if you’re going to an evening live show and the wind isn’t blowing, go up there and have a look. It’s a wonderful to see our city from a new and elevated perspective.
We watched the National Theatre’s production of The Threepenny Opera, which expanded my horizons, especially since I went there not knowing what to expect.
The Fugard has once again partnered with illustrious companies such as The Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet as well as the UK’s National Theatre and there are many new additions for the 2017 season, including screenings from the Salzburg Festival Opera, The Globe and The Royal Shakespeare Company.
“There are some wonderful new productions as part of the National Theatre (NT) Live series, such as No Man’s Land featuring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart,” said Karvellas.
“The NT’s staging of Amadeus – Peter Shaffer’s iconic play about Mozart, music, power and jealousy – stars Lucian Msamati of Luther and Game Of Thrones fame. There’s also the NT Live production of Hedda Gabler, directed by Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove and featuring Ruth Wilson (Luther).
“We are also proud to be associated with our new partners this season. Audiences will be able to see the work of Salzburg Festival Opera with Beethoven’s Fidelio and Moscagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, which brought record attendances to the Salzburg Easter Festival.”
Presentations from the Royal Shakespeare Company include Shakespeare’s rarely performed romance, Cymbeline and King Lear, starring two-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and four-time nominee, Cape Town-born Anthony Sher.
In the later part of the season, there are screenings of The Globe’s productions of Richard II, The Merchant Of Venice and Measure For Measure.
Dance lovers are in for a treat with a selection of classics from the Bolshoi Ballet including Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty .
The Fugard Theatre is on the corner of Harrington and Caledon Streets, Cape Town. Tickets cost R100 and can be booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Bookings can also be made at the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554. For more information see www.thefugard.com.