Artscape CEO explains why they don’t offer food: ‘Artists MUST come first’
A social media post criticising the Artscape Theatre for not offering a place to eat has gone viral.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Olga Ernst
Pippa Hudson speaks with Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
The Artscape Theatre is a staple of the Cape Town art scene, offering world-class theatre productions.
However, one thing it does not offer is a place for patrons to eat at the theatre.
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Albert Combrink wrote that it was ‘disrespectful and tone-deaf’ to expect people to walk into town at night to find food or pay exorbitant prices for hotel food and Ubers.
“This is holding Artscape back.”
- Albert Combrink
Le Roux says that after Covid, they had to make a choice between prioritising the artists or catering.
“Artists come first, as well as production and the patrons.”
- Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre
She says they have partnered with the Convention Centre, which runs a restaurant, so they can focus on keeping the doors open.
She adds that when they had a restaurant it ran at a loss because no one would buy from it if there was no production.
“You do not come to the theatre only to have a meal, you come to the theatre to see a production on stage.”
- Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre
Le Roux urges anyone with ideas, suggestions, or questions about the theatre to come and see them or speak to her.
“Don’t just do the Facebook thing. That is for cowards.”
- Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre
Scroll up to the audio to listen to the interview.