Stellenbosch theatres are struggling to fill seats and generate revenue due to Covid-19 regulations.
The Adam Small Theatre Complex, situated in Victoria Street, Stellenbosch, has not opened for commercial use since the start of hard lockdown in 2020. The theatre is currently being used for academic purposes by the SU drama department, according to Dr Mareli Pretorius, the head of the drama department. PHOTO: Lara van Zyl
This was according to various sources who are active in the local industry.
“Within Covid regulations, it means for us it’s not currently viable to rent out the theatre,” said Pretorius, referring to the Adam Small Theatre Complex. “A 320-seater within Covid is now a 60-seater,” she said.
The Adam Small Theatre Complex is currently not taking commercial bookings, as the space is now being occupied for academic purposes, according to Pretorius.
Meanwhile, the management of the Drostdy Theatre has tried alternative methods to attract a paying audience, such as producing virtual shows throughout the year, according to Ingrid Howard, the owner of the Drostdy Theatre. They have used the theatre space and a camera crew to film shows and livestream them on Vimeo.
However, “the tickets didn’t sell,” said Howard.
The Drostdy Theatre, situated in Alexander Street, Stellenbosch, has held a few live shows and virtual shows, but has been scaled down to accommodate the Covid-19 regulations. PHOTO: Lara van Zyl
It has been just over one year since a hard lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19 began in South Africa. Artists in the theatre industry have been battling to create work and source funding ever since, according to a Facebook post by Stellenbosch-based actor, Stian Bam, on 17 March.
“Previously, there was a struggle to make ends meet. The not-knowing when you will receive your next contract. We [artists] are used to that. But now we are scraping by,” said Bam. His post was a response to the closing down of the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.
The theatre as a collective is under a lot of pressure, according to an actor and former student at the SU drama department, Robert Hindley.
“I am, however, encouraged by the thought that the theatre has been changing and evolving for centuries and that it has survived far worse,” said Hindley.
Frustrations over mismanagement of support fund
Howard shared her frustration at the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the arts and culture industry through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP). This fund, according to information issued by the national department of sports, arts and culture on 30 October 2020, amounted to R300 million. However, earlier in March, News24 reported that the funding, which was meant to create job opportunities for struggling artists.
“No one knows what happened to it [funding],” said Howard. “I never depended on it, but what makes me angry is it caused so much damage to the people who did depend on it.”
The artists are just as frustrated. Since 3 March, artists have occupied the offices at the National Arts Council (NAC) in Johannesburg, reported News24. Artists have been protesting around the country because of the lack of funding from the PESP.
However, some Stellenbosch performers continue to believe the theatre industry will recover, according to Nicole Holm, an actor and lecturer for the drama department at SU.
“It is human to feel defeated after the hardship of the last year, but people like these [protesting artists] inspire me to believe and trust that the performing industry in South Africa will again be great,” said Holm.