Big changes to Shakespeare at Maynardville
Summer in Cape Town heralds the season of open-air theatre at Maynardville in Wynberg Park, and the signature event – the Shakespeare production.
Since the dismantling of Capab (Cape Performing Arts Council) in the mid-1990s, Artscape has been producing the Shakespeare season, with the other components being produced by various entities.
It was often rather haphazard with shows popping up here and there and it was difficult for visitors to refer to a programme outlining what was on offer at Maynardville.
For the 2018 summer season, there are big changes. Maynardville will become a fully-fledged classically oriented festival, with the signature Maynardville events, ballet and Shakespeare, as well as new additions of classical music and stand-up comedy.
The big news is that Artscape has stepped aside and will not be the primary producer.
Artscape will continue to be involved, providing technical support, costumes etc, but the person tasked with driving the festival is Brian Heydenrych, producer of LiquidMatch Productions, one of the venue partners.
He said: “It is not my company alone as producer. There are three venue partners: Artscape Theatre Centre, The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre Trust and myself. All of us have a desire and commitment to ensuring the continuance of Maynardville and in particularly the Shakespeare.
The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Tara Notcutt, will be produced by Siv Ngesi and Notcutt’s company, The Pink Couch.
The comedy season, Jesters in the Park, is being produced by The Cape Town Comedy Club and the classical music Symphonic Shakespeare by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. La Sylphide is being staged by Cape Town City Ballet.
La Sylphide was the first ballet staged at Maynardville in 1950 (opened December 1). Six years later, the first Shakespeare was staged at Maynardville: The Taming of The Shrew (opened January 29, 1956).
Fast-forward to 2017 and in the new-look festival we have Notcutt directing the play – with an all-female cast. Notcutt, 30, is the youngest director at Maynardville.
For some time, Maynardville has been mired in controversy. There have been accusations of lack of black (no black directors) and female representation (very few), and complaints by individuals at being shut out.
Heydenrych said: “With regard to directors doing the productions, for the majority of the years since the late ’90s there has always been an open call for directors to submit.
"The perception was that this was a ‘closed shop’, but the only criteria for submission was experience in large scale work as Maynardville is an incredibly difficult space to work in.
“That said, Artscape has listened to these pressures and opened it up while still committing support.
"In addition, Artscape has its own growing internal pressure to focus internally to the building according to its mandate. Both of these come together this year with the change to a new model.”
How does comedy fit in with the classical theme?
“Comedy has its history deeply set in Greek roots, but this is also part of our dialogue going forward. Classical has many interpretations. It’s not just about setting up a vibrant programme but creating a buzz and choice.
“I am trying to build the offering for the patrons, and upscale it in terms of quality and service.
“We will not take away the patrons’ ability to bring their own picnic. This is often a highlight for them, but we want the audience to also be able to arrive into a space that we have on offer for all.”
Heydenrych is excited to be part of bringing a freshened up Maynardville – hip and vibrant .
“The theme is around the legacy of Shakespeare. We want to honour the past, so the programme is weighted towards this for the moment.
"Looking into the future will be just that - looking into the future. It is a step into a world we already know but with even more exciting experiences to enjoy.
"The warm feeling that comes with ‘we have been here before’ together with the buzz of new. The magic of the stars, and the magic of classical work.”
Maynardville also taps into the legacy of the festival being open to all. Most of the original founders of the festival were members of anti-apartheid organisations and chose the open-air venue deliberately.
It was a loophole which allowed them to bypass the apartheid racial segregation laws. Gathering in a park to watch theatre was apparently cool – or at least tolerable - with the apartheid regime.
The founding Maynardville group set up theatre outdoors so that anyone could attend. Here we are over six decades later – and looking to Maynardville of the present and future.
The Maynardville Open-Air Festival starts on January 18, with Symphonic Shakespeare by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Then there is ballet from Cape Town City Ballet (The Firebird and Les Sylphides), the comedy season (Jesters in the Park) and Shakespeare (The Taming of the Shrew) to complete the season from mid-February.
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