In what has become a much-loved summertime tradition for local Capetonians and tourists, the annual Maynardville Open-Air Festival returns for the new season from January 2025, with a jam-packed programme of theatre, opera, classical music and contemporary songbook classics.
The heart of the annual season is a production of Shakespeare, and this year it is the turn of 'The Tempest' to stir up a storm from January 31 to March 8, 2025. Directed by Sylvaine Strike, the cast is led by Antoinette Kellermann playing the powerful sorcerer Prospero, with Albert Pretorius as the mischievous and complex Caliban.
But beyond the Bard, guests at this season-long festival of fine arts can also look forward to a range of wonderful musical performances, including:
Tour de Tchaikovsky: This evening of chamber music opens the 2025 season with two performances on January 22 and 23, 2025.
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra: Stormy Weather - A Symphonic Weather Report offers two performances (January 24 and 25, 2025) as a philharmonic special at Maynardville this year, under the direction of conductor Brandon Phillips. The show will be narrated by John Woodland with a programme that includes Mendelssohn's Overture to The Hebrides, Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Tchaikovsky's The Tempest, Rossini's dramatic William Tell Overture, the magical The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas, and Debussy's enchanting Clair de Lune.
Cape Town Opera: During the run of The Tempest, Sunday evening music concerts are planned, with Cape Town Opera on February 9 presenting a programme of extracts from Shakespeare-themed operas.
Sunday in the Park with Sondheim: Expect iconic Broadway classics to celebrate the prolific composer's 95th birthday on February 16 and 23. Jonathan Roxmouth will headline these concerts during a break from his international Phantom of the Opera tour in the title role.
Beyond the theatre and music guests can look forward to a food truck feast, so arrive early to enjoy dinner at the long tables beneath twinkling strings of lights, or a picnic on the park lawns.
Tickets for all performances are available via the Maynardville Open-Air Festival website.
The Galileo Open-Air Cinema is back for the summer!