Back on stage: The Kalk Bay Theatre, from Feb 2021

Back on stage: The Kalk Bay Theatre, from Feb 2021, Man Band II, Alan Committie’s Lying King and then Noir

The Kalk Bay Theatre is open again, on Friday and Saturday nights. With the surge of the new Covid variant, on January 1, 2021, The Kalk Bay Theatre put the pause button on its run of Man Band II. With Covid rates relatively stable, it was decided to re-open, with Man Band II on February 13- the day before Valentine’s Day. In an effort to enforce social/physical distancing, the tickets were offered in pairs. The idea was to encourage two people to book and then their seats would be placed in a bubble of two. Some people interpreted this as being two seats for the price of one. This was incorrect. Two seats were on offer at R185 each.  The website has been updated- it is R185 a ticket. You may buy a single and you may buy ten. Vanessa Harris who operates the theatre with her husband, Ashley Searle is more than mindful of spacing seats and is trying where possible to go for a two seat configuration. Yes, if you are a single, you will have your own bubble. If you are part of a family unit of four, she will do her best to place you as a foursome. The venue could seat 120 or so and with the 50 seats allowed under lockdown level 3, amended, there is plenty space to allow for gaps between seats. Navigating theatre in Covid is tricky. E-mail Vanessa, if you have queries and she can make a plan: kalkbaytheatre@gmail.com She asks patrons to please bring warm gear as windows are being left open as per Covid safety regulations. Evenings are getting chilly in Cape Town and if you complain that you are cold, sorry, the windows cannot be closed because we are living with this pandemic.

At the moment, the theatre is presenting Man Band II on Friday and Saturday nights. If there is demand, they may open additional shows. When Man Band II closes on March 6, Alan Committie will be in residence with his superb show, The Lying King, from March 12. After that, Noir will open on March 26. Noir is the new cirque show – very much an adult’s only show. It will be the first strength act themed show of the Kalk Bay Theatre at The Brass Bell. In case you missed the memo: During lockdown, The Kalk Bay Theatre semi-grated across the road, from its former premises to the Bell. You didn’t know? Now, you do know. The theatre is situated in what used to be The Bikini Bar at the Brass Bell. The idea is to dine at the Bell, before and then mosey a few steps to the theatre. As always, diners get first choice of seats in the theatre. Details on website or e-mail Vanessa. Yeah, this is Covid and things can change. Let us hope that numbers stay stable and that the vaccine becomes accessible – soon. As to attending live shows in confined spaces, this goes out with the proviso that each person should assess medical and age risk. Do not venture into any confined space – supermarkets included- if you are at risk. At all times, wear your mask, sanitize. Please do not go anywhere if you have Covid symptoms or have been contact with infected people.