Well known arts administrator, cultural activist and film educator Basil Dube has been appointed new executive director of the 450-seater West End Theatre in Tshwane, which also boasts state of the art facilities for workshops, seminars and music concerts.
Situated on the main route to Atteridgeville on the Pretoria Show Ground premises in Pretoria West, the theatre is strategically located to accommodate audiences from other neighbouring townships such as Soshanguve, Mabopane, Winterveldt, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal, north of the city.
“Our mission is to create a new and alternative centre for the development of the arts in the city of Tshwane,’ says Dube, who also heads the film and television unit of the centre.
Formerly known as the Piet Van Der Walt Theatre during the Apartheid years, the theatre was established in 1964 under the erstwhile Pretoria City Council. Now known as the West End Theatre, the institution has been re-launched as a new and vibrant centre for the creative arts under a new management.
According to Dube the West End Theatre operates differently from other local theatres. “Here we invite playwrights, directors and actors from the community to produce their work whilst receiving support from the theatre in the area of sponsorship, funding, administration and marketing. We are a progressive institution that believes in self reliance, professionalism and the long term sustainability of the arts. Our business strategy is informed by corporate social investment and partnerships,’ said Dube.
Upcoming productions and seminal events lined up for the theatre during the month of April include Sisters Collective, a redemption piece of storytelling, drama and music, written and directed by veteran playwright and director Selaelo Maredi; a book exhibition; writers workshops; film screenings; and a seminar on arts management and entertainment law.
For more information about the programme please contact Charlotte on 012 3278155.
