Artscape displays costumes to mark 50th anniversary

A costume worn by the character Marsinah from the musical Kismet performed at the Artscape Opera House.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, the Artscape is hosting an exhibition of costumes from 1971, when it started as the Nico Malan Theatre, to the present day.

The rolling exhibition, located at the Opera House Chandelier Foyer, is open to the public.

There is no cost of entry, however, pre-arranged guided tours need to be booked and will follow Covid-19 protocols. Group booking will not exceed 20 people.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a trip down memory lane and get a glimpse of the costumes which graced their stages in multiple performances over the years.

Featured are more than 40 costumes seamed by the Artscape wardrobe department and includes garments from productions such as Aida, Tartuffe, Petrouchka, Don Carlo, Die Vledermaus, Anastasia, Kismet, The Magic Flute, Evita, Rain In A Dead Man’s Footprints and Cabaret.

A “design wall” features drawings of costume designs by artists and designers and includes originals and copies of well-known national and international works of Bruno Santini, Peter Cazalet, Dicky Longhurst, Jenny Gilles, Penny Simpson, Keith Anderson, Michael Mitchell, Raymond Schoop, Birrie le Roux, Peter Krummeck and Marthinus Basson.

The exhibition will not be permanent but there will be updates throughout the year to showcase the various performing arts genres.

Historically relevant productions which compliment the Artscape flagship productions and performances presented by the affiliated companies Cape Town Opera, Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart Dance Theatre, Unmute Dance Company, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and other events hosted in the Artscape building will all enjoy a space and time during the exhibition.

Bookings are open and can be done through the Artscape Box Office on 021 410 9821/9886/9847/ 9823.