Three Arts Theatre

Three Arts Theatre was a theatre and cinema in Cape Town (1968-2010)

Usually billed as 3 Arts Theatre.

History

The Quibell Brothers, building contractors, built this theatre in 1967 on land they owned in Cape Town. Along with the Luxurama Theatre, it was to be the start of their theatre and entertainment empire.

The venue was a 3000-seater theatre (with revolving stage) that could be converted into a cinema. The cinema screen was 40 metres wide and 13 metres high. The building is only 37 metres wide, so the solution was to curve the screen.

The Sandpipers were the first band to play open at the 3 Arts Theatre on 11 January 1968.

In its time, the theatre hosted several international acts such as Tina Turner, Johnny Hallyday, Tom Jones and Tracy Chapman. During its hey-day it was well known amongst Capetonians as it was a prominent multi-racial theatre during the apartheid era.

Over the years it was turned into a cinema, ice rink, nursery and even a film studio.

The Quibell family decided to sell the property to Rapfund Investments in October 2019. Demolition work commenced in August 2020, the revamped 3Arts Village (now a shopping centre) was completed by the end October 2021.

Productions

Theatrical productions staged at the venue include: Ipi Tombi, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Little Night Music (1975/1976), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1980)

Artists

Artists who performed at the venue include:

Chris de Burg, Chic Corea, America, Percy Sledge, Curtis Mayfield, Marnalade, Troggs, Temptations, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, Rolf Harris, Max Bygraves, Spike Milligan, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Liberace, Petula Clark, Cilla Black, 4 Tops, The Rockets, Jethro Tull, Demis Russos, Richard Clyderman, Vicky Leandros, Della Reese, Cobie Gray, Millie Jackson, Tina Turner, Johnny Clegg, Clarence Carter, Albert Deluge and Los Amigos, Vera Lynn, Black Theatre of Prague, Joe Dolan, Foster and Allen, Rod McKuen, Frankie Laine, Gerladine, Edwin Starr, Isaac Hayes, Victor Borge, Gilbert Beccaud, Deep Purple, Suzi Quatro, Brook Benton, Pedlars, Loretta Lyne, Debra and Giraffe, Taxi Violence, Die Antwoord, Fokofpolisiekar, Skunk Anansie, Placebo, Collective Soul.

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

https://3artsvillage.co.za/3-arts-history/

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