Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Beneath the canopy of ancient trees, nestled in the heart of Wynberg, lies the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Maynardville Open-Air Theatre is more than just a stage. It’s a living testament to Cape Town’s vibrant cultural heritage. Maynardville Open-Air Theatre started not with Shakespeare, but with ballet. In 1949, Margaret Molteno, inspired by London’s Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre, envisioned a similar space in Cape Town. Her goal wasn’t just entertainment, but to raise funds for underprivileged children’s education on the Cape Flats. The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre opened its doors in 1950 with enchanting ballet performances. The funds raised supported a pre-primary school in Athlone and established the Athlone Teachers’ Training College. This was the country’s first college for colored teachers of pre-school children. Another project supported by Maynardville Open-Air Theatre was the Blouvlei Nursery School. It opened in 1955. Maynardville Open-Air Theatre was a unique space in apartheid-era South Africa. It was “Open to All”, free from segregation, a principle reflecting the values of its founders. Many of them were members of anti-apartheid organizations. The first audiences at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre were multiracial, a testament to the power of art to unite. Shakespeare made his debut at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in 1956 with “The Taming of the Shrew”. This marked the start of the beloved “Shakespeare in the Park” tradition. Actresses Cecilia Sonnenberg and Rene Ahrenson, initially hesitant, became the driving forces behind this annual event. They transformed the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre into the iconic venue it is today, complete with a renovated stage and raked auditorium. The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre you see today seats 720 people. It is a hub for both ballet and Shakespearean performances. The Maynardville Theatre Trust, created after Cecilia Sonnenberg’s retirement, continues to uphold this legacy. As you enjoy a performance under the stars, remember the legacy of Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. It’s a story of art, social change, and community, woven into the fabric of Cape Town.