Tuesday 17 April 2012

Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town, RSA


Wednesday 4th April 2012
On a recent visit to Cape Town, RSA, I paid a visit to The Theatre on the Bay, 1a Link Street, Camps Bay, Cape Town and saw a Pieter Toerien presentation of “Quartet” a touring London production written by Sir Ronald Harwood, Directed by Richard Digby Day
Cast; Gary Raymond, Delena Kidd, John Fraser and Wanda Ventham
Design by?

Lighting by?
The Theatre on the Bay at Camps Bay, Cape Town http://www.theatreonthebay.co.za/  
Said to be Cape Town’s most beautiful theatre located at the fashionable Camps Bay on the Atlantic seaboard. The exterior of the refurbished old derelict Alvin Cinema has a distinctive theatrical façade, the foyer is spacious with box office to the right and a stylish stairway access the balcony and to the “Sidedish Restaurant” to the left.
We had arrived early to avail of a combination ticket which allows one to dine at the restaurant before seeing the show and for me to avail of a previously arranged technical stage tour.


The restaurant and its environs have their theatrical ambiance enhanced with theatrical memorabilia including interesting retrospective posters on the wall of the corridor leading to the balcony. Set and Lighting designers credited on the old posters include Andrew Botha,
http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/event/335 and Rex Garner.

 I met with Mr Progress Mphande Technical Stage Manager who was generous of his time and knowledge in showing me on stage, back stage and the auditorium of this neat cosy theatre.

There is a grid to hang scenic elements from but no facility for flying scenery, wing space is also restricted, as is the storage of scenery in the wings and off stage. There are ample black drapes, wings, legs and borders there is also a good cyclorama cloth. The theatre is well provide with lamps most of which appear to be Power Cans, T Spots but I could be corrected on this!









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