The show must go on

If all the world’s a stage, Daphne Kuhn of Theatre on the Square is now playing the role of a lifetime trying to save her cherished independent theatre, which faces imminent closure if she doesn’t secure funding or sponsorship.

After a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the producer, owner, and artistic director of the theatre, which is on Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City, is seriously battling to keep the stage lights on.

“We simply cannot see another theatre close,” said Kuhn this week. “Now more than ever when we need healing and compassion, the power of theatre has to survive in our country.”

The curtain came down temporarily last March with the onset of the pandemic, which has all but devoured the arts and culture sector. Kuhn is now desperately trying to revive the award-winning independent playhouse, which has thrilled theatre and music loving audiences and staged many Jewish performers, musicians, and comedians for years.

“The Jewish community in South Africa has played an enormous role in contributing to arts and entertainment for well over a century in South Africa. It’s a subject close to my heart,” she said.

“It’s therefore so important amongst many reasons including cultural and spiritual upliftment, entertainment, education, and development that we keep the theatre alive.”

The doors may be shut during this dark period, but Kuhn, with her trademark positivity and passion, believes, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”

The sad reality is that the intimate 200-seater needs an injection of cash to ward off closure. It may be a unique Jozi entertainment hub, but with zero ticket sales over the past year, it has brought in no income and it doesn’t have a naming rights sponsor nor access to any government or provincial subsidy due to it being privately owned. Thankfully, Kuhn has received rent relief from the landlord. Now, her theatre and performance space, which has brought more than 2 500 shows to life in its 27 years of existence, is launching a fundraising campaign to prevent it from closing permanently.

“This isn’t only for entertainment and the cultural upliftment of all, but almost more importantly to keep our industry alive, for the benefit of our struggling artists, actors, directors, technicians, playwrights, musicians, dancers, choreographers, and all creatives,” Kuhn said.

Over the years, she has created work for thousands in the sector. She has always been a strong believer in theatre development, and has a passion for giving back to the industry. It has resulted in her taking financial risks few would dream of by giving a platform to new playwrights and performers to present their works, funding their productions, and lending a hand.

“During a year of COVID-19 closure, we tried to retain and pay our staff, but the theatre can reopen only if our fundraising campaign generates enough cash to cover the bills and pay artists who are desperate to perform again,” she told the SA Jewish Report.

“The silver bullet would be to secure a new sponsor for the full naming rights at R2 million a year, with the company name displayed above the theatre and on advertising materials, free tickets for staff and clients, and use of the venue for corporate functions,” said Kuhn.

“I’m hoping that companies with a vision will help sponsor more theatre in South Africa, and so help the industry to survive,” she said.

Over the years, Theatre on the Square has survived as an independent concern in spite of hard times.

“We have had a sponsor with full naming rights since the theatre’s inception. This helps to cover enormous running costs, like rent, resident staff salaries, in addition to assisting with new production costs,” she said.

“We have had no income for 16 months, and many of these costs had to be paid. The big, subsidised theatres in this country get a minimum of R60 million a year, and most aren’t producing. We produce plays, shows, and concerts prolifically in all the genres, offering work opportunities to so many in the industry and providing a variety of entertainment to the public.”

As the recipient of a number of awards including the Naledi Executive Director’s Award for her contribution to theatre, Kuhn said, “Theatre has given me immense pleasure my whole life, and I’m determined to continue paying back by helping in my way to keep arts and culture alive.

“We have produced so many local and international plays, lunchtime musical concerts, comedy shows, and events. I’m filled with immense gratitude to all our patrons and sponsors, and I’m very proud of all our achievements, particularly having launched the careers of many local actors and producing plays that embrace our country’s rich cultural diversity,” she said.

With a lifetime working in the dramatic arts, Kuhn opened a small theatre in Rosebank before setting her sights on Sandton, where she has devoted her passion and energy for the greater part of her illustrious career.

The fundraising programme has various tiers of support such as individual membership of the theatre club at R500 per year; seat sponsorship at R1 200 a year per seat, which includes having your name inscribed on a small plaque on a seat and the benefits of individual theatre membership.

Theatre goers can also buy life membership, which includes two complimentary tickets to every show produced by the theatre at a show time that’s available and convenient. The names of life members will be inscribed on a board in the theatre foyer. Lastly, the theatre also offers corporate membership of R10 000 a year, which includes 12 complimentary tickets a month for corporate entertainment (the average ticket price is R100 to R150). Company names will be inscribed on a board in the theatre foyer and logos included in theatre programmes.