THE annual Shakespeare production at Maynardville is a highlight on the theatrical calendar, and has been for 70 years; only two of those didn’t take place on account of Covid. It’s a remarkable history, and we no doubt all have our own memories and stories to tell.
The whole affair has evolved over time, as it should, and now includes a festival of performances including ballet, opera, and music, with the Shakespeare play as the cake topper, as it were. The outdoor setting lends a magical air to the play, and the Bard watches over it all. Used to be a time you could see the full moon rising from behind the trees, but they’ve grown taller now, and, well, sometimes it’s cloudy.
Picnics on the lawns beforehand were part of the charm although lugging all that stuff around was tiresome. A smaller picnic you say? Don’t be ridiculous. Now you can eschew all that in favour of food and drinks from the stalls and trucks, which makes life much easier. Parking too has been improved with availability at a nearby school.
It’s said that with Shakespeare, the distinction is whether characters survive and reconcile at the end (comedy) or perish (tragedy). This year’s play is Twelfth Night, very much a comedy, not only because no one dies but it’s deliciously funny. There are misunderstandings, pranks, shenanigans, characters getting mixed up, an affable drunk, a suave fool (who is no idiot), blurring of genders, falling instantly in love with the wrong people…all that’s missing are doors opening and closing. It’s a fizzy, sparkling delight like when the bubbles from a glass of cap classique go up your nose.
The OG play can run up to three hours so I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say I’m grateful it’s been pared back to 100 minutes (no interval). Maynardville veterans already know to bring a cushion but even the plumpest takes strain after a while, and natural padding does not make it easier. You would think. Given the short version, I’m not going to get into too much plot detail, because even I am confused. Orsino (Jock Kleynhans) is in love with Olivia (Jenny Stead), but she’s having none of it. Viola (Emily Child) and Sebastian (William Young) are twins who are shipwrecked and become separated. Viola disguises herself as a man and goes to work for Orsino. Orsino despatches Cesario aka Viola to make his case with Olivia on his behalf, which he/she/they does so eloquently and perhaps a little too well. What no one saw coming was Olivia falling in love with Cesario as a result, and Cesario/Viola in turn falling in love with Orsino. Who also has emerging feelings by the way.
There’s more of course, but that’s the nutshell; there is a whole side plot going on involving Sir Toby Belch (Michael Richard), Olivia’s maid Maria (Natasha Sutherland), Sir Andrew (Aidan Scott), a forged letter and Olivia’s hapless steward, Malvolio (Graham Hopkins) in his unfortunate yellow stockings. David Viviers as Feste, the jester, moves seamlessly between the players, connecting the narrative with melancholy songs and observations. Of course, when Sebastian himself finally makes his appearance, things go totally off the rails.
Here’s some more information from the press release and booking details and so on. Whether it’s your first time or your 20th, this year’s Shakespeare will spark joy in your heart.
Maynardville Open-Air Theatre is set to transport audiences to the sun-dappled courtyards and gardens of Illyria this summer with a stylish production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, playing in the open air theatre from 30 January till 7 March 2026. Drawing inspiration from Federico Fellini’s iconic 1960s film La Dolce Vita, director Steven Stead has reimagined the Bard’s most playful comedy as a delectably sophisticated Mediterranean escape – complete with marble statues, tiled terraces and elegant ’60s costume design.
Director Steven Stead notes that the play is a wry, satirical look at the complexity of the human condition, “Twelfth Night is regarded as one of Shakespeare’s most joyous comedies, but its humour comes from the supreme discomfort of its characters as they wrestle with the difference between who they think they are and who they really are. They present themselves as pompous, melancholy, lovesick, or vain, yet their carefully polished images are constantly tripped up by their truer, more vulnerable, or unpredictable selves. That collision creates comedy that feels both recognisable and deeply human.”
Costume designer Maritha Visagie’s 1960s-inspired wardrobe completes the La Dolce Vita atmosphere, while composer Wessel Odendaal’s masterfully crafted jazz-inspired accompaniments provide an emotional counterpoint to the comedy’s slapstick shenanigans. The multi-talented David Viviers brings these original compositions to life as Feste, singing live throughout the performance.
Stead notes the dedication of Maynardville Open-Air Theatres current custodians and producers, VR Theatrical, in keeping Shakespeare in the park at Maynardville alive and well.
The festival is also made possible through the support of its partners and sponsors. In particular, the City of Cape Town has come on board to support the 2026 season. Executive Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said “The Maynardville Open-Air Festival is one of Cape Town’s most loved and well-attended performing arts events, and it is truly wonderful to celebrate 70 years of this amazing tradition in 2026. From ballet and exquisite music performances to the longest running Shakespeare in the Park presentation on the African continent, these open-air shows under the trees in Wynberg are such a uniquely Cape Town experience, and we could not be prouder to support the festival.”
- Twelfth Night runs until 8 March 2026 at 8.15pm Mondays to Saturdays
- Running time: 100 minutes, no interval
- Schools should contact boxoffice@maynardville.co.za for educational discounts
- The box office phone line is active from 2pm-5pm Mondays to Fridays
- Call 069 792 6020 for assistance
- There will be a box office on-site during the festival season to assist with any last-minute queries or sales
- For the full season of shows and to book tickets, click here
PHOTO CREDIT: Claude Barnardo
