what's on
Upcoming Event
Bringing the Market Back to The Market
29-31 May 2026
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Market Theatre returns to its roots as a historic market that turned into an authentic space for human connection and a proud home to the South African story.
The market reimagines a historic site of exchange as a vibrant, contemporary cultural marketplace. More than a trading space, the market is a celebration of creativity, culture and community.
Current Event
Rise '76
5-28 June 2026
The Market Theatre has teamed up with the Baxter Theatre to co-produce a brand new play, RISE ’76: The Story of June 16th, that honours the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising—a milestone that coincides with the week in which The Market Theatre first opened its doors in 1976. It is written and directed by multi-award-winning contemporary playwright and director, Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni.
The collaboration between the two landmark theatres marks a significant cultural moment, highlighting their shared commitment to impactful storytelling.
Upcoming Event
The Market Theatre’s 50th Birthday Weekend: A Celebration of the South African Story
19 June – Sunday, 21 June 2026
The Market Theatre Foundation is excited to announce The Market Theatre’s 50th birthday weekend celebrations, running from Friday, 19 June – Sunday, 21 June 2026 at The Market Theatre in Newtown. The anniversary festival will comprise a special performance entitled “Let’s Meet at The Market”, exhibitions, surprise appearances, a wall with the names of people who have shaped the Theatre, talks as well as a brand new play acknowledging the historic week in which the theatre opened in June, 1976.
Each of these activities stand as a touchpoint inviting audiences to feel and be a part of the Theatre’s 50-year-strong internationally renowned legacy.
Upcoming Event
THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA
8-12 July 2026
The critically acclaimed play, based on Njabulo S. Ndebele’s seminal novel of the same name, returns to The Market Theatre for 6 performances only, following its run at the National Arts Festival. It will sit in the John Kani Theatre between 08 – 12 July 2026.
Directed by MoMo Matsunyane, the much-loved play brings together four women bound by the shared experience of waiting for their husbands’ return. Through intimate moments of reflection and fellowship, they draw strength from - and locate themselves within - the legacy of Winnie Mandela. The women interrogate their waiting, and the emotional, psychological, and social impact it has had on their lives.
Upcoming Event
A GOOD HOUSE
6 - 30 August 2026
Cape Town-born writer, Amy Jephta, directs her thrilling and comedic hit play, A Good House, which first premiere at the Royal Court Theatre and Bristol Old Vic (United Kingdom) in 2024 in association with The Market Theatre.
In the quaint suburban community of Stillwater, a mysterious shack springs up from the dust with the inhabitants nowhere to be seen. As speculation abounds, new residents Sihle and Bonolo are recruited by their white neighbourhood to be the face of a campaign to demolish the shack in this biting satire of community politics. A Good House is a work about a couple who discover the limits of good neighbourliness and what is required to fit in.
Upcoming Event
KAZA KAMBA PAN AFRICAN THEATRE FESTIVAL
20-23 Aug 2026
A partnership between The Market Theatre and mehlo-maya (eye-to-the-sun), returns to The Market from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August 2026.
Curated by Bobby Rodwell and Lesego Rampolokeng, this critical festival has become an important annual event on the Johannesburg cultural landscape.
The theme in 2026 is Memory Against Forgetting, and offers an exciting programme of theatre, film screenings, poetry, music and workshops.
The festival features artists and artistry from across the continent, aimed at presenting work and engaging in critical political discourse around our Pan African identity.
Upcoming Event
PRIMA FACIE by Suzie Miller
17 Sep - 04 Oct 2026
How Now Brown Cow presents the South African premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning Prima Facie directed by celebrated theatre maker Neil Coppen (Isidlamlilo/TheFire Eater; Animal Farm; Tin Bucket Drum). Danica De La Rey Jones (Hunting Jessica Brok; Unseen; For Colored Girls) performs the role of Tessa, a brilliant young barrister, who climbs her way up from working class origins to the top of her game: defending, cross examining and winning.
Tessa believes in the legal system until a brutal attack turns her world upside down as she navigates the same system she once championed. Now put on trial herself, re-traumatized through her cross-examination, she finds herself questioning everything she believed about justice.
Upcoming Event
The Word N Sound Poetry League
11 April - 13 Dec 2026
The Word N Sound Poetry League is one of South Africa’s leading spoken word platforms, bringing together emerging and established poets in a vibrant live slam series. For over a decade, it has been a home for bold voices, powerful performance, and poetic excellence.
Now in Season 12, the League runs monthly from April to November 2026, creating a journey of competition, creativity, and community, before culminating in December with the Word N Sound Poetry Festival, a three-day celebration of spoken word and live literature.
NEWS
Skin We Are In – 3rd Term Tour
The thought-provoking school production Skin We Are In returns from 3–27 August, bringing powerful conversations about race, identity and belonging to young audiences. Through storytelling, music and audience interaction, the play encourages empathy and challenges misconceptions about skin colour. For school bookings and enquiries, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development Specialist) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950.
