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Market Theatre (Johannesburg)

The Market Theatre, based in the downtown bohemian suburb of Newtown in Johannesburg, South Africa, was opened in 1976, operating as an independently, anti racist theatre during the country’s apartheid regime. It is named after an original fruit and vegetable market which was located there. Its also known as the Old Indian Market or the Newtown Market, which closed after 60 years. The Market Theatre was renamed John Kani Theatre in 2014 after the renowned South African stage actor John Kani.

Structure
In 1974 a group of theatre people came together, called The Company, and included Mannie Manim and the late Barney Simon. They began fundraising to restore the neglected complex that housed the old produce market in downtown Johannesburg.

The original steel structure had been shipped from Britain and constructed on site. The steel arches and cathedral-like dome built in 1913 that housed the Indian Fruit Market were considered one of the most important pieces of organic architecture in South Africa. On Sundays, the main hall of the complex was used for symphony concerts.

Renovation began, with much of the work being done by the artists themselves. Today most of the original Edwardian architecture remains, as do a number of the original signs. It houses both Museum Africa and The Market Theatre complex.

Importance during apartheid By the 1970s there was heavy international pressure for South Africa to reform its apartheid laws. It was during this turbulent time, on 21 June 1976, that the Market Theatre opened its doors with Barney Simon as its artistic director. The first production, under his direction, was The Seagull by Anton Chekhov with Sandra Prinsloo in the cast. In time the non-racial Market Theatre became known international as the "Theatre of the Struggle" and was one of the few places in the 1980s that blacks and whites could mix on equal terms. "The strength and truth of that conviction was acknowledged [...] In providing a voice to the voiceless, The Market Theatre did not forego artistic excellence, but, rather, made a point of it."

A multitude of anti-apartheid plays were staged, including Reza de Wet's multi award-winning, African Gothic, and Woza Albert, Asinamali, Bopha, Sophiatown, You Strike The Woman, You Strike A Rock, Born In The RSA and Black Dog – Inj’emnyama. The Market Theatre’s cultural contribution to South Africa’s emergence as a democracy in 1994 is significant.

Selection of featured artists Over the years the Market Theatre hosted performances by a number of internationally acclaimed artists including Athol Fugard. The great South African actress Yvonne Bryceland and collaborator of Athol Fugard was also involved in the evolution of the Market Theatre as a centre of theatre against apartheid In October 1987 Janet Suzman directed a multi-racial production of Othello at The Market Theatre. Suzman also directed Brecht`s 'Good Woman of Setzuan ' (renamed The Good Woman of Sharpeville).

It has also introduced the works of many of South Africa’s leading playwrights and directors, including Welcome Msomi, Zakes Mda, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Gibson Kente, Paul Slabolepszy, Mbongeni Ngema, Adam Small, PG du Plessis, Lara Foot, Janice Honeyman, Bartho Smit, Maishe Maponya, Sue Pam-Grant, Andrew Buckland, Deon Opperman, Reza de Wet and Matsemela Manaka.