Cape Town - There was criticism of the Artscape Theatre this week when a Facebook user expressed his dismay around the lack of catering at the iconic theatre.
Albert Combrink raised the concern around the “unimaginative and virtually non-existent catering” for patrons.
He opened a platform for discussion when he asked: “How can a first-class theatre offering world-class artistic productions have such abysmal, unfriendly, overpriced, badly trained, unimaginative and virtually non-existent catering? There's no working cafeteria in the complex where you can get a cup of coffee, let alone lunch.
“The restaurant space might as well be turned into a storeroom or at least another performance space with a piano in it because it's a bloody waste of time with a kitchen in it. At least the bar on first floor has been turned into a performance space but also empty half the time.”
He further said it was “disrespectful and tone-deaf, assuming all our patrons can afford hotel foods and Ubers because it simply isn't safe after dark”, if patrons had to walk into town for a meal at night.
Combrink concluded: “Artists deserve better, audiences deserve better.”
The topic has various social media users debating and suggesting food trucks and the upgrading while other users felt the post to be far-fetched.
But Artscape CEO Marlene Le Roux hit back and said the theatre should be used for the arts and not prioritised catering.
SheShe said: “If we refocus money and effort on running or outsourcing a fully operational restaurant we will not be able to present world class theatre.
“Artscape, a home for all, strives to uphold its mandate as a premier performing arts centre for all arts genres to stage their respective works, productions and events.”
She said the arts and entertainment sector were thrown a curve ball as the Covid-19 pandemic hit resulting in several job losses, careers ruined and closure of some theatres.
“It is then that we as an institution refocused our energy into keeping the doors open through innovative measures such as free space for artists to record their productions for online transmission, as well as free space to the Associated Companies including Cape Town Opera, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazzart Dance Theatre as well as Unmute Dance Company among others.
“The latter still operates without rental charge and we continue to assist playwriters and arts NGOs with space – both rehearsal and performing – in order for them to get back on their feet.”
Le Roux said the theatre currently makes use of the food and beverage services at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
“As we slowly emerged towards full operational capacity, we crunched the numbers and figures which supported the model that we currently have with the provision of food and beverage services by the CTICC.
“The allegations that say that people coming to theatres come for a full experience of eating/drinking, etc, is very privileged. For many, an outing to the theatre is in itself a privilege.
“For others, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see live theatre. And for others, they can hardly afford to come to the theatre, so Artscape makes it affordable for them and even in some cases bring patrons to the theatre for free.”
Dr Le Roux said in conclusion, however, “We remain open to engage with all on issues of concern in order to find practicable, implementable solutions as an entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.”