The Masque celebrates 65 years of community theatre

The Masque Theatre in Muizenberg celebrated its 65th anniversary in a glitzy red-carpet event on Saturday October 12.

Dressed in the theatre's signature colours of black, red, gold, and white, theatre lovers came from near and far to join in the festivities.

Founded in 1959 by Bertie Stern, who envisioned a stage for both amateur and professional performers, The Masque has been a beacon of creativity and inclusivity for over six decades, and, as one of only two multiracial theatres in South Africa at the time, it played a pivotal role in promoting diversity in the arts.

The anniversary evening was also a fund-raiser to repair the theatre’s road-facing wall, and it celebrated past, present, and future talent, with performances by Rob Coutts’ Improv Troupe, Ruskin Road and Barres Dance Studio, among others.

Throughout the years, the theatre has seen countless productions, from classic plays to experimental performances.

Before his death in 1993, Mr Stern gave control of The Masque to four dramatic societies. After his death, his estate set up the Masque Theatre Trust to own the building. However, managing and running the theatre, which is a registered non-profit, became the job of the Stern Masque Theatre Association, which is made up of volunteers.

In 1997, after a fire destroyed the theatre and the insurance did not cover the full rebuild, the community rallied together to restore it. And when the theatre closed in 2020 because of Covid, supporters from around the world started a BackaBuddy campaign to save it.

The theatre’s Yvonne Copley said The Masque had continued to show resilience through the dedication of volunteers and supporters.

“Today The Masque stands as a testament to the power of community and the enduring love for the performing arts,” she said.