Once a year the quite suburb of Wynberg is filled with artists, locals, musicians and theatre lovers alike for the annual Maynardville Open-Air Festival.
The establishment of the annual Shakespeare in Maynardville Park was the brainchild of two talented actresses Cecelia Sonnenberg and Rene Ahrenson in the mid 1950's.
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Maynardville Park has earned the reputation for one of the best-loved outdoor theatre venues in the Cape Region.
It offers its patrons both a beautiful park and lake for pre-show picnics and drinks, ideal for a first date or family evening of entertainment.
Patrons can pack a picnic and bring along their blankets to spread out on the park lawns before the show as per the Maynardville tradition. There is also the option of pre-ordering a gourmet take-away from a special menu that the Festival is offering in partnership with the local restaurants.
The theatre seats 720 in an atmosphere that is simply breathtaking. There is something special about the park at night, as the moonlight frames the canopy of trees the park is brilliantly decorated in twinkling lights.
Parking is safe and secure, however, do not leave valuables in plain sight. The entrance is well lit with ample security on the grounds. Small path ways lead off the main entrance area where you might find patches of lawn beneath the towering canopy of trees.
The colourfully lit entrance is the hub of food and drink, with coffee, tea and hot chocolate, a snack kiosk and a bar serving Drifter beers, buchu gin and tonics, Diemersfontein wines and soft drinks.
Tip: Bring a blanket as the weather can be unpredictable.
- Location: 20 Piers Street, Wynberg, Cape Town
- More Info:
Maynardville Open-Air Festival Line Up 2019
In 2018, the Maynardville Shakespeare evolved into an exciting Festival of theatre, ballet, comedy and music with a classical spin.
Presented by the Maynardville Theatre Trust and Liquid Match Productions, with support from Artscape Theatre Centre, the Festival is set to become a bucket list experience for arts lovers and those who are simply looking for a magical moment beneath the Cape Town stars.
A Festival of theatre, ballet, orchestra and comedy under the stars which will run from 17 Jan-10 March 2019 in Maynardville Park, Cape Town.
All shows start at 8:15pm, audience are asked to be seated by 8pm.
Music inspired by the Bard
The season will open with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s Famously Incidental, a selection of well-loved famous plays.
Expect to be transported into the world of Grieg, Beethoven and Bizet in this exploration of light and lovely classical works conducted by Brandon Phillips and narrated by Rodney Trudgeon.
- Cost: From R150 - R220
- When: 17-19 January 2019
- Book here
Starlight and Swingtime
The Cape Town City Ballet is bringing their popular Swingtime in the outdoor setting for Swingtime in the Park; Sean Bovim’s ballet performed to the music of the swinging sixties.
The Cape Town City Ballet dancers will be interpreting nostalgic hit tunes such as It had to be You, Unforgettable and Fly Me to the Moon.
- Cost: From R75 - R110
- When: 23 - 27 January 2019
- Book here
The Jesters Are Back
Audiences who caught last year’s riot of wit will be first in line to get tickets to this year’s comedy under the stars.
Kurt Schoonraad’s Cape Town Comedy Club will bring a line-up of top names to the stage under the hilarious host Rob van Vuuren for Jesters in the Park – Season 2. This chance to laugh at the stars, the world and ourselves is not to be missed and best enjoyed with friends and family.
- Cost: From R120 - R150
- When: 31 January - 2 February 2019
- Book here
Richard III
The annual open air Shakespeare production turns its attention to one of the Bard’s most deliciously dark and delightfully droll tales – the tragedy of King Richard the Third.
The infamous hunchback anti-hero (played by award winning actor Alan Committie) takes the audience on a journey through palace politics, coruscating corruption and macabre machinations in order to become the new king of England.
Award wining Shakespeare director Geoffrey Hyland returns to Maynardville after the triumph of Twelfth Night (2017) to helm this comic-tragedy. With a cast of 14, this production promises an action-packed, theatrical rollercoaster romp as it depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of King Richard the Third.
- Cost: From R75 - R110
- When: 7 February - 9 March
- Book here
Maynardville Open-Air productions are something everyone should experience at least once while in Cape Town, from the amount of detail in the costumes and design to the simply breath taking venue itself. It is truly a gem within the suburbs and we plan on many more visits!