16 Best Performing Arts in South Africa

One of Darling's main attractions is Evita se Perron, the theater started by satirist and social activist Pieter-Dirk Uys. The cabaret venue is on the platform of Darling Station (perron is the Afrikaans word for "railway platform"). The performer has made his alter ego, Evita Bezuidenhout, a household name in South Africa. Performances—which are in equal parts poignant and hilarious—usually take place Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday afternoon. Come early to enjoy a two- or three-course meal in the restaurant. 

The Baxter Theatre Complex, part of the University of Cape Town, hosts a range of productions from serious drama to satirical comedies, as well as some rather experimental stuff. The complex includes a 666-seat theater, a concert hall, a smaller studio, and a restaurant and bar.

Music, especially jazz and African music, was an extremely potent instrument for social change during the oppressive apartheid regime. South Africans remain passionate about music, and they celebrate their love of jazz with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, usually held in late March or early April. Started in 1999, this event is arguably the best weekend of the year in Cape Town. There's an even mix of local and international stars, and past festivals have included the likes of Randy Crawford; Abdullah Ibrahim; Hugh Masekela; Ismael Lo; Earth, Wind & Fire; and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Almost all major performances and many smaller ones can be booked through Computicket.

This theater is named after legendary and internationally renowned playwright Athol Fugard, who was at the heart of the protest theater movement in 1980s apartheid South Africa. Anything cutting edge and politically relevant arrives at the Fugard. The 320-seat theater itself sits on the edge of the historical and oh-so politically relevant District Six area.

Joburg Theatre is Jo'burg's main cultural venue and the home of the Joburg Ballet Theatre. It contains the enormous Nelson Mandela Theatre and the smaller People's and Fringe theaters. Many international productions are staged here, but there's also a good balance of local material, such as the annual pantomime by Janice Honeyman, which satirizes South Africans uproariously.

From late November to early April, enjoy the best in South African music, from African to classical to electronica, at outdoor concerts on Sundays at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts. It's a Cape Town summer institution, not to be missed.

The Labia is a local gem - an independent art house and Cape Town institution that screens good-quality mainstream and alternative films. There are four screens at the Labia on Orange and two at the Labia on Kloof, just up the road. A small coffee bar serves snacks and wine at both venues.

The Newtown Cultural Precinct, an old area that started as a produce market, has undergone a successful rejuvenation. Now clean and brightly lit, it's home to the Market Theatre, which is famous for its contemporary South African and African productions in particular. It was also an important theater for anti-apartheid protest theater. The theater occasionally features traditional African music and jazz performances. The complex also has a good bar and restaurant and an art gallery.

During the summer, when the weather's good, Cape Town has its own version of New York City's Central Park's Shakespeare in the Park at the excellent Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Theatergoers often bring a picnic supper to enjoy before the show.

Each summer, performances ranging from African jazz to opera to ballet are staged at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, a delightful open-air venue.

Dubbed "The Greatest Shoal on Earth," the Sardine Run is regarded as one of nature's most amazing migrations. Starting along the South Coast and moving up to Durban, sardine shoals of 20–30 km (12–18 miles) are followed by some 23,000 dolphins, 500 whales, 1,000 sharks and countless birds. The spectacle can be viewed from the beach or at various dive spots. You can even grab a bucket and catch your own dinner. Ancillary events take place on land.

South Africa's longest-running and most renowned annual music festival showcases the country's top bands, famous performers, and up-and-coming musicians. The outdoor event takes place every Easter long weekend on a Midlands farm in the Underberg. It's great fun and has an eclectic selection of the best local bands and a great Woodstock-esque vibe.

The Teatro opened in 2007 at the Montecasino leisure and casino complex in northern Jo'burg, introducing patrons to a world-class theater facility with its debut production, The Lion King. Since then, it's staged dozens of world-class productions, including shows as diverse as Phantom of the Opera, War Horse, and Swan Lake. Although it seats more than 1,800, no seat is more than 33 meters (100 feet) from the action—and there's plenty of that. Expect large-scale music productions, cirque arts, drama performances, stand-up comedy, and National Theatre productions. Teatro is one of the world's 10 largest lyric theaters.

The most current local and international productions are put on here. One of South Africa's best theaters, it was started and is still run by renowned local impresario Bobby Heaney. The location across the road from Camps Bay is great. Ruby Wax loved performing here so much that she bought a house down the road.

Located on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, this intimate, 200-seater theater has hosted thousands of shows since it opened in 1997. Its extensive repertoire includes comedy shows, cultural celebrations, author interviews, jazz concerts, plays, and music recitals. Friday lunchtime concerts are a boon to Sandton-based workers.