Kalk Bay Theatre

The Kalk Bay Theatre is a performance venue in Kalk Bay, Cape Town.

History

First location (2004-2005)

Originally founded in 2004 by Simon Cooper and Helen Cooper, with Nicholas Ellenbogen and Liz Ellenbogen, in the old bakery building in Main Street, Kalk Bay (Ellenbogen first set up a tiny bucket-seat theatre at the Olympia Bakery aka Olympia Café).

Second location (2005-2020)

In 2005 it moved to the heritage protected Dutch Reformed Church (built 1876), on Main Road, which they converted into an intimate 78 seat theatre and restaurant, offering the option of a combined dinner and theatre experience.

The Ellenbogens later moved on to other projects, and the Cooper family continued to run the theatre till 2014, when Follow Spot Productions, under the direction of Vanessa Harris and Ash Searle took over the venue.

Over the years the theatre (and its in-house company, KBT Productions) has presented a varied programme of entertainment, including drama, comedy, cabaret, dance and music, and has offered opportunities for many local writers and performers.

Third location (2020-present)

Kalk Bay Theatre shut its doors in May 2020 due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow Spot Productions, the production company heading the theatre, found a new home for the institution in the Brass Bell Bikini Bar at the long-established Brass Bell in Kalk Bay.

Sources

KBT raises R9690.07 for Theatre Benevolent Fund - 03/2014 - Artslink.co.za News

Change of scene at Kalk Bay Theatre (Christine Skinner) 04/07/2014 Artslink.co.za News

http://www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za

Kirsten Jacobs . 'Kalk Bay Theatre finds new location in a local favourite'. CapeTownETC. August 12, 2020.

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