Gqeberha’s live entertainment calendar is heating up this March with a mix of comedy theatre, powerful school productions, opera and a special awards concert celebrating local performers. Several venues across the city will host productions over the next few weeks, giving audiences plenty of reasons to swap streaming for live theatre and support the local arts scene.
Impact Theatre prepares for annual awards evening
Impact Community Theatre will host its annual Making an Impact Concert and Awards Evening on Friday 27 March 2026 at the Savoy Theatre in Glendinningvale.
The event forms part of the international celebration of World Theatre Day and recognises outstanding productions and performers from Impact’s 2025 to 2026 theatre season.
Over the past year, Impact has staged seven productions that showcased local talent and provided mentoring opportunities for performers of all ages.
Productions considered for the 2026 Making an Impact Awards include Splash Festival 2025, A Night at the Opera, the vocal showcase Blast from the Past, Carols, Music! Movies! Magic!, the Valentine’s Cabaret Voulez Vous and the smash hit musical Annie.
The concert will feature performances from standout cast members including the popular Annie and Orphans ensemble, nominees Onwaba Mahola and Ronald Chanetsa and performers from the Impact Youth Theatre Club.
Audience favourites from recent productions will return to the stage alongside guest performers from the dance community including Dance Dynamics and The Keep Dancing Experience. Special guest Francois Malan will also perform.
The evening will end with the announcement of the Limbrick Award for Overall Achievement, the Gilbert and Sullivan Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Society and the reveal of Impact’s major production for 2026.
The show begins at 19:00. Tickets cost R120 and are available through Webtickets, Pick n Pay stores or at the door. The Savoy Theatre bar and coffee bar open from 18:00.
Classic farce brings laughter to Isithatha Theatre
The classic British comedy See How They Run! will take to the stage at Isithatha Theatre from 12 to 22 March 2026 under the direction of well known Gqeberha theatre director Robin Williams.
Written by Philip King, the fast paced farce is set in wartime England and follows the chaos that unfolds when the vicar’s former actress wife reconnects with an old friend, a soldier who disguises himself as a clergyman to avoid scandal.
The result is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, suspicious characters and classic door slamming comedy.
The production features a strong local cast including Leslie Speyers, Annaline Stiglingh, Bennie Gerber, Rachel Lategan, Matthew Hamilton and Arthur Daniels alongside newcomers Erin Bartlett, Matthew Osborne and Dieter Vogts.
Evening performances begin at 19:30, with weekend matinees at 15:00. Tickets cost R160 and are available via Webtickets or Pick n Pay.
School production tells the story of Anne Frank
Theodor Herzl High School will present Dreams of Anne Frank from 22 to 27 March 2026, offering audiences a moving production centred on the hopes and dreams of one of history’s most well known young voices.
Set in Amsterdam during World War Two, the play explores the life of Anne Frank, whose diary documented her family’s time hiding from Nazi persecution.
The production is directed by Niqui Cloete Barrass with musical direction by Candice Parkin.
The score features dream inspired music including Dream a Little Dream and Don’t Dream It’s Over, along with an original composition by former Theodorian Raymond West.
Award winning choreographer Chireen Stronach worked with the cast, while the lighting design is by theatre veteran David Limbert.
The production carries a PG10 age restriction due to flashing lights, loud sounds and historical themes.
Palm Sunday opera concert at St Mary’s Cathedral
Opera lovers can also look forward to Lux Aeterna, a special Palm Sunday concert presented by Mandela Bay Opera at St Mary’s Cathedral on 29 March 2026.
Directed by Kobus Buys, the programme brings together music from opera and sacred oratorio that explores themes of suffering, longing and renewal.
The concert will feature music by composers including Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Mozart, Gounod, Mendelssohn, Franck and Handel.
Soloists Lindokuhle Gushu, Sinentlahla Ndala, Afika Gwam and Lesego Mkhwanazi will perform alongside the Le Strada Chorale, conducted by Anele Mutei.
They will be accompanied by Kobus Buys on piano and Justin Stone on organ.
Theatre makers invited to get involved
Impact Community Theatre is also inviting expressions of interest from theatre practitioners including musical directors, vocal directors and production managers.
Both experienced creatives and those interested in mentorship opportunities are encouraged to submit their CV and a short description of their experience to the organisation.
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