For nearly seven decades, the Maynardville Open-Air Festival has enchanted generations of Capetonians with its signature Shakespeare under the stars. Now, as it prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026, the iconic cultural event is embracing its legacy while stepping confidently into a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic future.

The 2026 season — running from 13 January to 8 March — carries the theme: In Full Swing, a tribute to the golden eras of music, blending the classical, the contemporary, and the distinctly local.

This milestone year also marks the debut of jazz at Maynardville, a genre deeply rooted in Cape Town’s cultural identity.“ Jazz is part of the Cape Town soul,” said Jaco van Rensburg, Executive Producer of VR Theatrical, which took over custodianship of the festival in 2023.

“It’s where so many legends of South African jazz are from, and there is both a traditional and younger jazz following in the city. Jazz is associated with relaxation, unwinding, reflection and inspiration. Mingled into a summer breeze and harmonised by the sounds of cicadas — it’s going to be a treat.”

Kicking off the season is the Shades of Blue Chamber Concert on 13 January, followed by Jazz in the Park (14–15 January), an open-air celebration of local jazz talent.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra returns on 16–17 January, and dance fans can look forward to a powerful double bill: Giselle by Cape Ballet Africa (20–21 January) and Swingtime! by Cape Town City Ballet (23–24 January), inspired by the Big Band era and blending ballet with Broadway style.

Shakespeare, as ever, remains the festival’s heartbeat. In 2026, Twelfth Night takes centre stage — this time reimagined against the backdrop of 1960s Rome, complete with a jazz-infused soundtrack and cinematic flair inspired by Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

“The core offering at Maynardville has remained unchanged for all of these years — a magical Shakespeare play under the stars,” van Rensburg explained.

“But our audiences have changed with the times and asked us for things that have helped shape the experience into what it is today. It’s no longer a full-length Shakespeare of three hours. There’s an on-site food and drink offering to suit busier people, lots of parking nearby, and an extended programme that includes music and dance.”

The programming is broader, the audience more diverse, and the experience more immersive than ever before. Sunday concerts have become a staple, offering informal, open-air performances for families and casual theatre-goers alike. Highlights in 2026 include the Charl du Plessis Trio, Gershwin in the Park by Cape Town Opera, and The Great American Songbook, performed by the Paul Roos Orchestra alongside Cape Town’s leading jazz vocalists.

Since 2023, VR Theatrical has focused on revitalising the festival artistically while also deepening its commitment to inclusion.

“Our patrons are treated to world-class theatre, dance, music, and gourmet food in a setting that celebrates the joy of summer,” he said. “We are committed to growing this experience while expanding access and inclusivity.”

This includes performances interpreted in South African Sign Language, audio support through hearing aid frequency channels, and a partnership with the Open Culture Foundation that offers hands-on training to emerging theatre professionals.

“We’re proud to champion new talent and give them the opportunity to share the stage with some of the country’s most celebrated performers,” Van Rensburg noted. With limited platforms available for young actors and creatives in South Africa, Maynardville is increasingly becoming a vital entry point into the industry. Even after 70 years, Shakespeare’s relevance endures.

“It’s encouraging that 70 years after the first Shakespeare at Maynardville, there is still a very big appetite for the works of Shakespeare,” said van Rensburg.

“That we can pack in the houses for more than a month of Shakespeare is an inspiring indication of the legacy of great storytelling.”

Looking beyond 2026, VR Theatrical hopes to take the spirit of Maynardville beyond Wynberg.

“Our longer-term goal is to grow the festival into a bigger programme that is not only location-based but has national reach throughout the year,” he explained. “We want to showcase the best of what Cape Town has to offer on a bigger stage, while also engaging with other artists and programmes in South Africa and beyond.”Sustainability is also on the agenda.

The festival is committed to green practices, including 100% compostable packaging, eliminating single-use cups, and working with local waste reclaimers to reduce environmental impact.

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