Support Material for The Baxter Theatre
2. The Fall
3. Mies Julie
4. Life and Times of Michael K
5. Imbilini… my friend!
6. Karoo Moose
Profile on The Baxter Theatre
At the forefront of the performing arts, both as a popular venue and as a leading award-winning producer, the Baxter Theatre Centre presents ground-breaking, cutting edge works and masterpieces from local and international repertoires. Since its inception in August 1977, the theatre has stayed true to its promise of always being open to everyone who visits it and to create work of the highest artistic quality. It is a cultural icon and one of the most accessible and inclusive theatres in the country, garnering local and international awards, accolades and recognition for its inherent and proudly South African productions which speak to the heart of the country’s social landscape with universal themes.
We are the most active theatre in the country, presenting over 3 000 performances a year, with a growing international reputation. We are also the most diverse theatre in the country, when it comes to programming and audience members. We do this with a small and dedicated staff, all of us working two or three portfolios at the same time.
The vision of the Baxter’s CEO/Artistic Director, Lara Foot, is for the Baxter to be one of the top theatres in the world. It is this declaration of intent that drives the 119 members (permanent and ad-hoc) of Baxter staff to excellence every day. The Baxter is surrounded by the talent, the motivation and the opportunity to make this vision a reality.
The Baxter prioritises young people, families, schools and historically disadvantaged communities as well as all the diverse communities of South Africa, to introduce them to the wonders and enjoyment of the performing arts, and in particular theatre. The Baxter co-ordinates the following festivals each year (funding permitting) to foster development and growth, as well as appreciation within the arts:
The Zabalaza Theatre Festival: A theatre development and outreach project that reaches over 10 000 young people annually and supports talented theatre-makers from communities across the Western Cape and the rest of South Africa.
The Baxter Dance Festival: A ten-day celebration of dance reaching over 450 dancers designed to showcase and build the capacity of the South African dance industry - professional, semi-professional and community groups.
Morning Melodies: This highly successful programme of song and music is specifically aimed at senior citizens through regular productions. 6 500 senior citizens attend annually.
Afrikaans season: a season celebrating Afrikaans theatre has included such works as Hennie van Greunen’s Rondomskrik (2 Fleur du Cap awards), Marthinus Basson’s macbeth.slapeloos, Sandra Prinsloo in Oskar en die Pink Tannie, Rooiland (5 Fleur du Cap awards), and Christo Davids and Vinette Ebrahim in My Naam is Ellen Pakkies, directed by Lizz Meiring. The Baxter has also hosted Kunste Onbeperk’s Teksmark since its inception in 2016 – a platform for local writers to showcase their ideas and scripts for possible further development.
New work that has travelled to 9 countries and 14 cities in the past three years includes the internationally acclaimed Mies Julie, Solomon and Marion, John Kani’s Missing... and The Fall - recipients of 26 Naledi and Fleur du Cap theatre awards as well as international awards including the prestigious Scotsman's Fringe First award and the Stage 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe cast award.
The Baxter has unwaveringly continued this tradition of showcasing South African talent as is evidenced by the productions that have won awards and acclaim both nationally and internationally such as The Fall, Mies Julie, Solomon and Marion, Ukutshona ko Mendi, and Fishers of Hope in which South African and African themes are given voice and visibility by South African directors, producers, actors, and designers.
The Baxter remains a cultural icon and one of the most accessible and inclusive theatres in the country. The theatre centre and its activities are important because they bring the experience of theatre and learning in action to thousands of people across socio-economic, racial and cultural divides; and they contribute to the body of South African works that are being created and produced for theatre (especially in indigenous languages).