Fugard Bioscope season kicks off this weekend

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in No Man's Land, which will show at the Fugard Bioscope this cinema season.

Now in its sixth year, the Fugard Bioscope presents screenings of the world’s best theatre, opera and ballet productions.

The Fugard has partnered with illustrious companies such as The Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet as well as Great Britain’s National Theatre to offer a line-up of productions every Sunday for the season, which ends in August.

There are a number of new additions for the 2017 season, including screenings from the Salzburg Festival Opera, The Globe and The Royal Shakespeare Company.

Films are screened on Sunday mornings at 11am in the Fugard Theatre.

“The Fugard Bioscope has gained momentum every year and we are delighted to be presenting our most extensive programme yet for the 2017 season,” says Greg Karvellas, the director and manager of the Fugard Theatre.

“With our full size high definition screen, and the nature of the live recordings, the experience puts you right on stage in the heart of the action. “There are some wonderful new productions as part of The National Theatre Live series, such as No Man’s Land featuring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart.

“The NT’s staging of Amadeus, Peter Shaffer`s iconic play about Mozart, music, power and jealousy, stars Lucian Msamati of Luther and Game of Thrones fame. There’s also the NT Live production of Hedda Gabler, directed by Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove and featuring Ruth Wilson (Luther).

“We are also proud to be associated with our new partners this season,” says Mr Karvellas.

“Audiences will be able to see the work of Salzburg Festival Opera with Beethoven’s Fidelio and Cavalleria Rusticana, which brought record attendances to the Salzburg Easter Festival.”

Presentations from the Royal Shakespeare Company include Shakespeare’s rarely performed romance, Cymbeline and King Lear, starring Anthony Sher. In the latter part of the season, there are screenings of The Globe’s productions of Richard II, The Merchant of Venice and Measure for Measure. A selection of classics from the Bolshoi Ballet includes Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty as well a number of their other productions such as The Golden Age, a passionate love story and vibrant production as a satire of Europe during the roaring 20s.

Don’t miss The Royal Ballet’s productions of George Balanchine`s Jewels and Woolf Works, the first revival of Wayne McGregor`s critically acclaimed ballet triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf. Some must-sees for opera aficionados are The Royal Opera House productions of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with soprano Ermonela Jaho in the title role and Othello directed by Olivier Award-winning Keith Warner. Screenings take place at The Fugard Bioscope on selected Sundays at 11am. Tickets cost R100 and can be booked through Computicket or the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554.

The Fugard foyer bar is open from 10am, serving light snacks and coffee, wine and drinks. For more information visit www.thefugard.com