Mandela Bay Theatre Complex

The Mandela Bay Theatre Complex is a a cultural institution in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). It was previously known as the Port Elizabeth Opera House. It was renamed the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex and declared a cultural institution in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act 119 of 1998, on May 31, 2021, by the Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa. It currently operates as an Agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Venues

The Mandela Bay Theatre Complex houses two performance venues:

• The Opera House
• The Barn Theatre

History

For historical information (pre-May 2021), see Port Elizabeth Opera House

Present operations

The Mandela Bay Theatre Complex is officially a receiving house for productions that tour around the country. However, with the consent of the Board of Directors more than 75% of our activities are invested in development programmes.

This very special place - the home of John Kani, Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona, Nomsa Nkonyeni, Thoko Ntshinga, and Elizabeth Connell (international soprano), and many, many other famous people.

Source

The Herald, "Curtain Rises on Mandela Bay Theatre Complex" by Zamandulo Malonde, Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Address by Minister Nathi Mthethwa at the Declaration of Mandela Bay Theatre Complex as Cultural Institution for Performing Arts, 31 May 2021 http://www.dac.gov.za/content/address-minister-nathi-mthethwa-declaration-mandela-bay-theatre-complex-cultural-institution

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page