Theatre relaunched

• Author: Tamlynne Thompson tamlynne.thompson@inl.co.za
• Published date: 02 June 2022
• Publication title: Atlantic Sun

The new Homecoming Centre was launched as a cultural hub on Wednesday June 1 with an exhibition by Beathur Mgoza Baker and Sara Bint Moneer Khan, called Salon Afrique – a Homecoming Reimagined

The building and the exhibition will then be open to the public on the First Thursdays event on June 2.

The iconic Fugard Theatre closed its doors in March 2021 after it was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and was handed back to the District Six Museum Trust.

The acting director of the District Six Museum, Chrischené Julius, told the CapeTowner that since the Fugard Theatre closed its doors, the museum had been approached by a number of prospective tenants, however, they decided to bring Neighbourgood onboard in the beginning of 2022.

Neighbourgood are the developers who turned the Old Bank Hotel and the Old Townhouse Hotel into co-living and working spaces called Neighbourgood Reserve and Neighbourgood East City, respectively.

She said the theatre section of the building was returned to the museum at a financially difficult time for the institution, which also faced a threat of closure due to the pandemic.

“The experience of nearly having to close our doors in 2020 meant that we have been very clear that our goal is to remain sustainable and to generate an income that covers operational costs; creates a secure working environment for staff; and keeps our doors open so that our public programmes and work with District Sixers, local schools and universities continues.”

She said they were relying on Neighbourgood’s experience as property managers to ensure that the building is filled with tenants, events and productions. “The museum’s network is extensive and they bring along their own network. They work closely with us in identifying prospective tenants who speak to the museum’s values, but also our need to become sustainable.”

The aim of the new Homecoming Centre is to be a cultural hub, providing space for artists of all forms to hire. “The building provides the opportunities for new tenants, productions and events to use the space in ways that support the performance and events industry in Cape Town, but at the heart is a cultural space that reminds us of what District Six was – a culturally rich area in which ballet, opera, theatre and performance was a part of daily life.

“We would love to hear the sounds of the Malay Choirs and Klopse resonate through the building, which is still very much located in what was District Six. We would love to see younger...