Opening with a celebration of stagecraft and heritage, the 2026 Variety Gala at Artscape Theatre Centre honours decades of performance history.
This year’s programme spans opera, ballet, contemporary dance, circus arts and popular music, creating a fast-paced line-up rather than a single narrative production.
Audiences can expect performances from organisations such as Cape Town Opera, Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart Dance Theatre and Zip Zap Circus, alongside vocalists, choirs and solo artists including Jimmy Nevis, Craig Lucas, Sasha-Lee Davids, Tarryn Lamb and Anna Davel.
The Tygerberg Children’s Choir also joins the line-up, adding a youthful ensemble element.
Conducted by Brandon Phillips, the gala blends orchestral arrangements with crossover performances, highlighting the diversity of South African talent in a shared theatrical space.
Where: Artscape Theatre.
When: Saturday, June 6, at 7.30pm.
Killer Queen
“Another One Bites the Dust” pulses through the imagination as Killer Queen celebrates the larger-than-life spirit of Queen through movement, music and theatrical flair.
The production leans into themes of identity, rebellion and self-expression, reflecting how the band broke boundaries in sound and style.
At its core, the show explores fame and performance as both armour and vulnerability, echoing Freddie Mercury’s magnetic stage persona. Choreography drives the storytelling, turning iconic songs into physical expressions of power, freedom and emotion.
It’s less a tribute concert and more a reimagining of legacy, where music becomes a language for transformation, unity and unapologetic individuality.
Audiences can expect a fast-paced, two-act performance featuring young local talent bringing Freddie Mercury’s theatrical spirit back to life on stage. .
Where: Theatre on Bay
When: Runs until Saturday, June 20, at 8pm.
Back to the 80’s
“Don’t Stop Believin’” sets the tone as RockSteady’s “Back to the 80s” brings a wave of nostalgia, celebrating a decade defined by bold sound, bigger-than-life style and pure musical freedom.
The show dives into iconic tracks from artists like Prince, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, AC/DC and more, turning every song into a sing-along moment packed with energy and attitude.
Fronted by Sharyn Seidel, the five-piece band is known for sharp musicianship, strong vocals and high-voltage stage presence, with Josh Buchalter on guitar, Damian Rijkers on drums, Pamela Levesque on vocals and keys, and Colin Plit on bass.
Where: The Drama Factory.
When: Saturday, June 6, at 7.30pm.
