Muizenberg, South Africa
The Masque Theatre
By Richard Stern
With thanks to Richard Stern
About The Masque Theatre
The Masque Theatre is a vibrant, community driven theatre situated in the heart of Muizenberg in Cape Town.
Annually, The Masque plays host to a wide variety of live productions of different genres – both community and professional productions. As a registered Non-Profit Organization; The Masque strives to make theatre accessible to all – from both an onstage and an audience perspective.
The Masque was opened in 1959 by a local attorney, Bertie Stern. Stern had a vision to provide a platform for both amateur and professional performers, regardless of their social or political situation at that time. When The Masque opened, it was one of the only theatres in Cape Town that was open to people of all ethnic backgrounds.
In 1993 Bertie bequeathed The Masque into trust for the benefit and growth of community theatre. The Theatre is still owned by the Stern Masque Theatre Trust.
The Masque was tragically destroyed by fire in 1997 and took two years to rebuild – a feat which would not have been possible without the committed passion of the theatre community members driving the project and the generosity of the late Joan St Leger-Lindbergh. Members of the Theatre still gratefully remember her famously saying, “I’m in for a million!”
Today, the theatre continues to thrive and grow despite adversity. Showcasing all genres of performance and being as widely inclusive as possible.
With two venues that are used weekly for various productions: the main theatre, seating 173 people and the theatre foyer stage which seats 70. The Masque is wheelchair friendly, has a fully licensed bar and meals, snacks and desserts are available before shows and during intervals.
The Masque has managed to keep afloat during Covid but we need your help. Donations small and large are welcome and needed.
We raised over 100,000 Rands in private donations which has enabled us to keep the lights on despite having no activities.
This is our second round of appeal. We can only hope that we will be back in full operation soon.
Respectively submitted
Richard Stern on behalf of the Board and Trustees
To make a donation go to
Come at visit us at 37 Main Road, Muizenberg or contact us on 021 788 1898
or email the Theatre Manager at manager@themasque.co.za
Click on the link below for:
The Masque docs for Muizies and Archives
Richard Stern
