There is a very specific feeling you get when you pull into the Foreshore and see that massive, brutalist concrete structure glowing under the city lights. If you grew up in Cape Town, the Artscape Theatre Centre—formerly the Nico Malan—is a place of childhood memories, awkward first dates, and the smell of velvet and wood polish.
As we hit the mid-point of February 2026, the theater is buzzing in a way we haven’t seen in years. The “summer season” is in full swing, and the calendar is packed with a mix of grand-scale opera, experimental local drama, and the kind of high-energy dance that makes you want to quit your day job and join a troupe. Whether you’re a regular who knows exactly which seats in the Opera House have the best legroom, or a first-timer wondering if you have to wear a tuxedo (spoiler: you don’t), the 2026 season has something that will pull at your heartstrings.
The Grand Scale: Opera and Orchestras
If you want the full “Artscape experience,” you go to the Opera House. It’s one of the few stages in the country large enough to handle the sheer gravity of a full production by the Cape Town Opera.
1. Puccini’s Turandot (February – March 2026)
This is the “tentpole” event of the early 2026 season. Cape Town Opera has pulled out all the stops for this one. We’re talking about a massive cast, a rotating stage, and costumes that look like they belong in a museum.
- The Draw: It’s famous for the aria Nessun Dorma, but this 2026 production is leaning into a “steampunk-meets-ancient-empire” aesthetic. It’s visual storytelling at its most aggressive and beautiful.
- Why it matters: In an era of digital streaming, there is something irreplaceable about forty voices hitting a crescendo at the same time as a live orchestra. It vibrates in your chest.
2. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra: Summer Symphony Series
If the drama of opera is a bit much for you, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) continues its prestigious residency at Artscape. Throughout February and March, they are running their “Symphony Series,” often featuring guest conductors from across Europe and the rest of Africa.
- Pro Tip: Check the program for their “Lunchtime Concerts.” They are often free or very low-cost, and they take place in the Artscape Chandelier Foyer, a space so beautiful it makes your afternoon sandwich feel like a royal banquet.
The Poetry of Motion: 2026 Dance Highlights
Cape Town has always been a dance city, and Artscape is its heartbeat. This season is particularly strong for those who appreciate the physical limits of the human body.
3. Cape Town City Ballet: Giselle Reimagined
Cape Town City Ballet is turning the classic on its head this year. While they still respect the traditional choreography, the 2026 production incorporates digital projections and a slightly modernized score that reflects the city’s contemporary energy.
- The Experience: The precision of the corps de ballet in the second act remains one of the most hauntingly beautiful sights in South African theater.
- Bold takeaway: Don’t let the “ballet” label fool you into thinking it’s stuffy. In 2026, these dancers are treated like high-performance athletes, and the energy in the room reflects that.
4. Jazzart Dance Theatre: Modern Roots
If you prefer something with more grit and earthiness, Jazzart is celebrating their latest season in the Arena Theatre. Jazzart is known for their contemporary, socio-political works that use the body to tell stories of identity and struggle. Their 2026 showcase, Modern Roots, explores the fusion of traditional African movement with urban street dance.
Local Soul: Drama and The Suidoosterfees
As we move toward April, the theater prepares for one of its biggest cultural takeovers: the Suidoosterfees. This festival is the soul of Artscape, celebrating the diverse voices of the Western Cape through Afrikaans and English theater, comedy, and music.
5. New South African Drama: The Loom
Debuting in early March 2026, The Loom is a new play by an up-and-coming Cape Flats playwright. It tells the story of three generations of textile workers in Salt River.
- The Vibe: It’s raw, funny, and incredibly moving. It’s the kind of play that reminds you why live theater still exists—to hold a mirror up to our own lives.
- The Venue: Usually staged in the Artscape Arena, which offers a much more intimate, “black box” feel where you’re just a few feet away from the actors.
6. The Suidoosterfees Highlights
While the full festival kicks off later in the year, the “pre-season” showcases at Artscape this month feature bite-sized theater and cabaret.
- Check out: The “Late Night Comedy” sessions. They are a great way to see the city’s best stand-up talent in a space that has better acoustics than your average pub.
The Artscape “Insider” Logistics
Look, let’s be real: the Foreshore can be a bit of a mission if you don’t have a plan. Here is how to navigate a night at the theater like a local in 2026.
Parking and Arrival
Don’t try to find street parking. It’s a headache you don’t need. The Artscape Basement Parking is secure and has been recently upgraded with better lighting and more bays.
- The Hack: Arrive 45 minutes early. Not because you need that much time to find your seat, but because the Artscape Garden is a great place for a pre-show stroll, and the fountain looks stunning when it’s lit up at night.
Dining: Where to Eat Before the Curtain
Artscape has its own garden café, but if you want something a bit more substantial, you have options nearby:
- The Sophisticated Choice: The Westin Cape Town is just a short walk across the skybridge. Their Thirty7 Showkitchen is perfect for a pre-theater dinner.
- The Local Quick-Fix: If you’re on a budget or in a rush, Food Inn India on Long Street is a 5-minute drive away and offers some of the best curries and salomies in the city bowl.
- The “Interval” Move: Pre-order your drinks for the interval. There is nothing worse than spending your 20-minute break standing in a queue for a glass of sauvignon blanc. Most bars at the theater have a slip system—fill it out before the show starts, and your drink will be waiting for you at a numbered spot during the break.
Beyond the Stage: Education and Community
What many people don’t see is that Artscape in 2026 is a massive engine for social change. Throughout the week, the corridors are filled with students from the Artscape Youth Development Program.
You might see a group of kids from Khayelitsha or Mitchells Plain practicing their lines in the foyer, or a local choir rehearsing in the Marble Room. This “living theater” aspect is what makes the building more than just a performance space. It’s a resource.
Key Takeaway: When you buy a ticket to a show at Artscape, you aren’t just paying for entertainment. You are funding the infrastructure that allows thousands of young South Africans to access the arts every year.
Final Thoughts: The Magic of the Red Velvet
There is a moment right before a show starts at Artscape when the lights dim, the giant chandelier in the foyer begins to fade, and the “chime” sounds. It’s a universal signal to put your phone away, stop worrying about the traffic on the N1, and let yourself be transported.
In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, the 2026 Artscape season reminds us that we all still love a good story. Whether it’s told through a high-C from a soprano, a pirouette from a prima ballerina, or a biting line of dialogue from a local playwright, these stories are the glue that holds the city together.