Virtual performances have entertained audiences aptly during Covid-19 lockdowns around the world, but they will never replace live performances. Theatres in the Cape Town Central City are banking on this and are waiting in the wings to bounce back and reclaim centre stage.
In a pre-Covid-19 world, Cape Town theatre lovers were spoilt for choice with world-class productions playing in auditoriums big and small in the Central City. Since 26 March 2020, these venues, once a source of great joy, have been closed, and their once-buzzing foyers that are usually brimming with patrons, have been silent.
It’s a sobering scenario. How and when will they be able to raise their curtains once more? And will audiences stream back? For while they can legally open their doors in terms of Level 2 Lockdown regulations, they can only allow 50 people or less inside their venues, even if they comply with required Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
It’s difficult to predict how theatres will evolve after Covid-19, says Benjamin du Plessis, IT and technical manager at the Fugard Theatre, situated in the heart of the CBD creative East City precinct. “Things are so uncertain at this time… and it’s a bit premature to spend money and resources on the set-up required to receive large numbers of people until we have an idea of when this will take place,” he says.
“Currently we are only focused on the safety of the small care-taking team under Covid-19 regulations, while they are in the process of doing maintenance and preparing the building for its hibernation period.”
Over on the Foreshore, CEO of Artscape Theatre Centre, Marlene le Roux is optimistic but predicts it will take time to win back the confidence of patrons post-Covid-19, as has been the case in countries around the world which have opened their venues.
Le Roux is confident that theatres can restore the trust of audiences if they adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as required by Government to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “Artscape has developed an SOP in response to the Government’s gazetted allowances of recordings and live streaming at theatres. Armed with this information, patrons will feel confident about returning to theatres. Some productions will be presented in the dual format of in-house attendance as well as paid virtual, which could be one of the biggest shifts of audience attendance,” she explains.
Cape Town Opera performs at the Artscape Opera House before the pandemic.
ONLY TIME WILL TELL
In a BBC Culture article, Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull, who runs a chain of cinemas in the UK is quoted as saying cinema will bounce back. “Cinema has survived wars, pandemics and a host of technological changes. There is something elemental about gathering together in a dark room to watch a great film,” he explains.
Could the same be said for theatres? Yes, indeed, says Esra Overberg, manager of boutique theatre 44 on Long: “I absolutely agree.” He is positive the industry will bounce back but says working together “will be key”.
Africa Melane, interim managing director for Cape Town Opera, concurs, saying few things are as satisfying as being in an opera house auditorium, watching the magic unfold on stage. “Theatres are the most curious of places … the inexplicable, fantastic and tragic all happen both on and off the stage. Theatre-loving Capetonians know this, and are hungry to return.”
Le Roux believes things will return to normal in time as humans are social beings who enjoy social engagements. “As history has shown, and we’ve seen from other pandemics such as the Spanish Flu, as well as research by world-renowned psychologists on this matter, over time things return to normal as humans are social beings.”
The Fugard Theatre in the East City has been closed since the "hard" lockdown was enforced in March 2020.
MOVING WITH THE TIMES
While Covid-19 has disrupted performances, it’s commendable how these venues have adapted.
The Fugard Theatre moved quickly in June 2020, launching a new digital platform, The Fugard at Home, to allow the public to stream some of the theatre’s past productions and works streaming both locally and globally. This service has since stopped.
Cape Town Opera has been producing virtual works and has implemented technology upgrades, including providing all chorus members with devices for the paper-free distribution of music and online coaching and has adapted its programming for the rest of the year. The company is also holding rehearsals of Porgy and Bess, ahead of the premiere in Vienna, Austria in October. Additionally, it recently filmed a physically distanced performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with small film crews and a floor grid to keep performers apart. Melane describes creating Stabat Mater as “a fascinating voyage of discovery for everyone”. “The work was choreographed remotely via video call from London by the immensely talented Mthuthuzeli November. The performers only came together at the last minute, and according to our artistic director, after so much time in Lockdown, the intensity of emotion which the performers brought to the shoot day was very moving.”
44 on Long under Lockdown Level 3 was operating as a shooting location for podcasts, music videos, weddings, conferences and live streaming. With Level 2 Lockdown allowing for the sale of alcohol, the venue’s fully licenced bar is open. Theatre is scheduled for October 2020 and the venue has a series of jazz music every Thursday and Sunday. In line with Lockdown legislation, 44 on Long has implemented Covid-19 safety protocols, including screening procedures, hands-free sanitiser units, an in-house Covid-19 co-ordinator and a one way in and one way out entry and exit system.
Artscape Theatre Centre has put together a team in addition to their SOP to research the best ways to approach their “new normal”. With the easing of Lockdown regulations to Level 2, the venue has been hosting virtual events and radio programmes, which “have been received very well”, says Le Roux. She encourages patrons to support virtual productions by associated companies housed at Artscape including Cape Town Opera, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town City Ballet, Unmute Dance Company, Jazzart Dance Company, Woman Zone, Cape Town City Ballet and Zip Zap Circus. “Most of these companies are continuing with some of their programmes and productions on virtual platforms, too, via their respective virtual access portals. Patrons can follow us on social media to keep abreast of these programmes and productions and in so doing not only support Artscape but the arts in general,” she says.
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IMAGES: The Fugard Theatre, CCID, Cape Town Opera