ABOUT THE BAXTER
The Baxter Theatre Centre provides an exciting forum for the celebration of life which is the essence of live theatre, music and dance. It is one of the major live theatre venues in Cape Town and has always been at the forefront of the performing arts both as a popular venue and as a leading producer. Follow the link to see a list of the many awards that productions at the Baxter have received over the years.
 The Baxter Theatre Centre |
 The Baxter from the air |
 The Baxter main foyer and restaurant |
Click on the photos to see bigger versions
The Baxter Theatre Centre at the University of Cape Town endeavours to present and host the best of South African performing arts. The objective is to reflect the cultures of all the people of South Africa on our stages and in our foyers and galleries. We envisage a vibrant cultural centre developing an interactive relationship with our local and university communities. We strive to present cutting-edge and major works from South Africa and masterpieces from the international repertoire.
The Baxter Theatre Centre, designed by Jack Barnett, opened on 1 August 1977. It came into being as the result of a bequest from the late Dr W. Duncan Baxter who, in his will, bequeathed an amount of money to the University of Cape Town for the purpose of establishing a theatre which would, in the words of Dr Baxter, "develop and cultivate the arts in Cape Town and the adjacent districts".
Since its opening in 1977 the complex has continued to provide a stage for all types of professional entertainment - music, drama, ballet, opera and intimate theatre. Even through the difficult years of racial segregation its doors remained open to everyone and it thrived, drawing on indigenous talent and creating a uniquely South African theatre tradition.
The Baxter Theatre Centre consists of:
- Theatre with 666 seats
- Concert Hall with a fine Von Beckerath organ and seating for 638
- the intimate Golden Arrow Studio Theatre with 172 seats.
 The Baxter Theatre |
 The Baxter Concert Hall |
All are located in the one building and are available to hire, thus enabling the Baxter Theatre Centre to be a superb venue for theatrical productions and conferences.
Enquiries regarding the use of the Baxter for theatrical productions and conferences should be directed to Nicolette Moses - Tel. and fax: 021 680 3988 (International +27 21 680 3988) or e-mail nicolette.moses@uct.ac.za.
The forum company has taken over the Baxter restaurant, and has transformed it into two exciting new venues.
Play Bar is a coffee bar offering fresh, healthy meals and baked indulgences during the day. For a quick pop-in, there are affordable grab-and-go meals such as gourmet sandwiches and wraps, as well as delicious heat-and-eat options. The coffee bar is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00–17:00.
By night, Play is transformed into a trendy tapas and wine bar. Tapas menus are available from Monday to Saturday, 17:00–23:00.
The stylish Act Restaurant is open for pre-show dining and offers a gourmet la carte menu and an extensive wine list to suit all tastes.
For reservations, please phone 021 685 3888 or e-mail baxterbookings@theforum.co.za.
During the day conference venues of a world-class standard are available, seating up to 660 people in two different venues. Bookings are also available for 100 to 800 people, making the Baxter the perfect place for more intimate occasions, as well as corporate dinners and fabulous cocktail parties.
THE EMBLEM
Designed by a Cape Town graphic artist, the Baxter emblem is inspired by the large bronze sculpture that stands outside the main foyer. The sculptor, Bruce Arnott, chose a mysterious Sphinx gazing inscrutably into space as his subject because he felt this to be a symbol particularly appropriate to the theatre and its historic - magical and religious - origins.
