The theatre scene is alive in this country, with more than100 spaces countrywide offering productions ranging from indigenous drama, music, dance, cabaret and satire to West End and Broadway hits, classical opera and ballet.
Venues range from the base of the former state-supported performing arts councils to purpose-built theatres, a once fruit market, country barns, casinos, and urban holes-in-the-wall.

Add to that numerous festivals, and any time of the year in South Africa you can catch the full range of theatrical experiences.
The annual National Arts Festival in Grahamstown - which has showcased the cream of the country's creativity in the performing arts for more than 3 decades - has spawned a variety of tinier festivals all across the land, each with its own personality.

The past:

But this artistic explosion is a relatively new phenomenon. South African ‘made’ theatre only really started to take off in the mid 1970’s with the establishment of Johannesburg's Market Theatre.
This was just as the apartheid-inspired cultural, sporting and academic boycott was taking hold, cutting South Africa off from world developments and trends.
Ironically, albeit true to the creative’s nature, the outpouring of local talent was a direct result of the boycott. With the disconnection of influence and work from abroad, South African theatre makers were forced to pull on their own resources, and they did so with huge creativity and great success. South African theatre continues to innovate and inspire.
   
The future:

Early 2009 Ryder Architecture and theatre company Dodgy Clutch (London) joined forces to launch a cultural regeneration project in Tyhume, Eastern Cape which will see the construction of a new community theatre. By the looks of it, it’s going to be awesome!
Darren MacDonald, a senior architect at Ryder said: "Building the Tyhume theatre is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get involved in a project that could change the lives of a whole community. The theatre will provide a fantastic resource for young people in the area once completed and will allow them to develop their creativity and skills." The project is expected to be completed later in the year.
 
Top Theatres in South Africa:

Market Theatre - Johannesburg
Baxter- Cape Town
Artscape - Cape Town
Playhouse company - Durban
Banyard theatre
On broadway - Cape Town
Theatre on the square- Sandton
National Arts festival- Grahamstown
State Theatre - Tshwane
Johannesburg State Theatre