Key takeaways:
- The Atterbury Theatre opened in 2011 and has hosted over 2,881 shows in its first decade.
- It’s considered one of South Africa’s best theatres with world-class facilities and a new Steinway grand piano.
- During COVID-19, it pivoted to digital broadcasts, creating 39 online performances reaching global audiences.
- The venue hosts diverse events beyond theatre including corporate functions, competitions, and weddings.
- It represents Atterbury Trust’s commitment to promoting South African performing arts and developing local talent.On 18 May 2011, the doors of the phenomenal Atterbury Theatre opened for the first time, and the stage was inaugurated with the impressive musical Stuur groete aan Mannetjies Roux. All 24 star-studded performances were sold out, thus ushering in a new era in South African theatre. In the past decade, more than 2 881 shows, productions and functions have been presented in the theatre that translates into approximately 865 671 feet that crossed the threshold of the theatre. At the beginning of 2019, the theatre was upgraded, and the purchase of a brand-new Model C Steinway & Sons grand piano was the crowning glory of this upgrade.
The Atterbury Theatre embodies the commitment of Atterbury and the Atterbury Trust to promote the performing arts and the development of talent. It is widely regarded as one of the best theatres in the country and offers artists in Gauteng, in particular, a world-class space where music, drama and various other performing arts can be embodied. In addition to productions, it also often hosts conferences and corporate functions. The theatre also houses an excellent recording studio and has been involved in a host of local and international projects.
Nataniel’s latest show, Butterfly, was performed in celebration of the theatre’s tenth birthday.
In retrospect, many musical productions and plays with national and international artists, school and dance productions, beauty, music and gymnastics competitions, corporate functions, gala evenings and dinners have been presented in the theatre. There has even been a wedding and an album launch where guests could sit at tables on the stage to experience the theatre from a different perspective.
The Atterbury Theatre’s interior.
The Atterbury Theatre’s external view.
During the national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the theatre entered the digital space in the form of a television and music studio where online concerts were recorded and broadcast. The very first concert was a live broadcast with more than 120 000 viewers from around the world. This was the beginning of a dream that grew to 39 online performances in the digital library. The theatre is now also able to provide live streaming services for any function.
The final performance of Nataniel’s latest show, Butterfly, on Tuesday 18 May 2021, was a fitting celebration of the theatre’s tenth birthday, and in addition to the show, theatregoers were entertained with a celebratory video focusing on highlights of the past ten years as well as messages from well-loved Atterbury Theatre artists. Atterbury Group CEO and founder trustee of Atterbury Trust, Louis van der Watt, addressed the audience, thanking theatre staff, artists and the loyal supporters of the Atterbury Theatre for their unwavering support.
The Atterbury Theatre celebrates this special milestone with deep gratitude to each artist, theatregoer and technician who, despite many challenges, believes in the continued existence of the arts in South Africa and generously support it.
