Revamp for The Market
The century-old Market Theatre building has a new breath of life.
The original building served as Johannesburg’s Indian Fruit Market in 1913, and went on to be a theater that thumbed its nose at the apartheid regime.
Founded in 1976 by Mannie Manim and the late Barney Simon, The Market Theater has a reputation for being at the forefront of theatre while challenging perceptions.
Ironically, the new 450-seat stage, which is under construction, turns back to history for its design. Way, way, back.
“It is based on the Globe Theater, an Elizabethan playhouse in the London Borough of Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames that was originally built in 1599,” said publicist Lusanda Zokufa.
That theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt in 1614, and then demolished in 1644 – in contrast to the Market, which has gone from strength to strength.
“We are so busy we cannot even close for renovations,” said Zofuka.
Zofuka added that The Market will use Kippies jazz club to “host emerging South African talent” and to “increase the cultural offering available while serving Johannesburg as a whole.”
The jazz club was established in 1987, and was named after jazz maestro Kippie Moeketsi.
The Market also aims to showcase a range of artistic disciplines within its performance space, and, according to Zofuka, the theatre will be starting with comedy, dubbed Comedy 20:13.
The structure of the comedy is a little different to the other shows. “For one, we are starting the comedy at 8.13pm (20:13), while most of our shows start at 20.15. Symbolically, we are saying we want to break from the norm on this project.
We are also resolute in our mission to give newcomers a platform so patrons will be guaranteed a great line-up by mixing the heavyweights with a new kid on the block, ” said Zofuka.
Details: 011-832-1641, 076-882-2733, markettheatre.co.za
