A new generation has embraced Maynardville’s spectacular open-air theatre, packing out the houses for a season of classics beneath the stars – and twinkly lights of the newly added food market experience. Gathered under the theme Waves of Wonder, the 2025 season infuses a sense of mystery, magic and discovery into the natural setting – beckoning audiences to escape into a secluded experience of story, music and song.
The Maynardville Open-Air Festival is best known for the annual Shakespeare (a tradition that was established in 1956). Organisers, VR Theatrical, have revealed that the 2025 Shakespeare is the shimmering tale of enchantment, entrapment and betrayal; The Tempest, which will be directed by Sylvaine Strike (who recently directed the award-winning play The Promise). The Tempest will run from 31 January-8 March.
The full Maynardville Open-Air Festival season begins on 22 & 23 January with a Tour de Tchaikovsky. This is followed by the Cape Town Philharmonic on 24 & 25 January. During the run of The Tempest, Sunday evenings will be dedicated to music concerts with Cape Town Opera presenting a performance on 9 February and Sunday in the Park with Sondheim on 23 February.
Says VR Theatrical’s Jaco van Rensburg, “We are beyond thrilled to be seeing the growth we have seen at Maynardville with a large percentage of first-time festival goers attending last year’s festival. Approximately a third of this audience were tickets we discounted for high school learners from across the Province. And, as we continue to honour the tradition of family and community, it gives us much pride to see that our family is growing.”
The tradition has also included a picnic in the park. Festival goers are still welcome to bring their own but the new, and wildly successful, food market offers delicious options and a full bar, coffee and snacks to enjoy before and after the show starts.
For the full programme, click here. Tickets go on sale today, with an early bird discount (code: MV25EARLY) that is only valid until 31 July. To book tickets at Quicket click here.