Revitalising the City Centre with theatre, music, debate and creativity. That is what the new Wave Cafe Theatre, based at 44 Long Street, hopes to bring to the Mother City.
The project comprises of The Wave Cafe Theatre, The Wave Online Radio Station and a creative space for small businesses.
It is a joint venture between musician Alistair Izobell, Camissa Solutions and Gary Kruser.
Media personality Clarence Ford, a member of Camissa Solutions which is one of the shareholders of the project, says the theatre is a multi-purpose venue that will bring together artists and small business owners alike.
Ford says: “It’s about creating media, that is why the online radio station is there. It’s about creativity that’s why the theatre is there and it’s also about getting small businesses and youth businesses together and create a network which works in collective interest.”
According to Ford, the building itself was home to the New Space Theatre years ago and has a rich history and cultural significance.
“The building was started in the early 70’s and it was like a creative space that was rebelling against apartheid, creativity was expressed in a manner that it should. It had the kind of freedom that were not incumbent by racial past. Black and white and all creatives joined in to bring a message of hope and optimism about a post-apartheid South Africa.”
Ford says the aim of the theatre is to create “a new kind of future”.
“We were talking to David Kramer the other day and we were lamenting the fact that nobody has quite taken the baton from people like him.
“We need to create more opportunities for especially the youth to enter this industry. It’s about getting the youth to articulate a different future from the one that we know. It is a space for us to come together and that is what The Wave Cafe Theatre and the Wave project is all about.”
Ford explains that it will be used as a multi-purpose venue, adding that while theatre is an important part of the offering, there will also be music and debates.
“We will zoom in on issues that affect our communities in Cape Town and South Africa. We will hear untold stories, especially from young creatives. We will hear new music from young musicians, debates or talks in the mould of TedX will equip our minds.”
The venue can also be used for other functions like film shoots and parties, explains Ford.
“I think it will be a great venue for Capetonians to reconnect. Not just after Covid-19 but it’s been a harrowing time in South Africa where politics sometimes drives us apart and I think we sometimes forget that we have more in common than apart. The Wave is going to be that rallying place for like-minded South Africans to come together and create a better South Africa.”
Ford says the venue will officially open for business next month (July).
