President Ramaphosa has declared a National State of Disaster in respect of the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the restrictions in place include travel bans and prohibiting public gatherings of more than 100 persons, to achieve social distancing which is a crucial strategy for reducing spread. Artscape shares the concerns with regard to the spread of COVID-19. We take seriously the health and safety of our patrons, performing artists, service providers, our employees and the public at large.
It is with this in mind that we have engaged with the producers and organisers of the various productions and events which were scheduled to take place at Artscape from 16 March – 31 May 2020 and have agreed that at this time the responsible decision is to cancel or postpone these productions and events.
Says Artscape Board Chairperson, Princess Celenhle Dlamini: “These are trying times for all of us locally, regionally and globally, and as the Artscape Council, our main concern is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our stakeholders, both internally and externally and in particular, our employees, producers and artists who depend on the productions on our stages as the main source of income. Until COVID-19 has been eradicated, Artscape will adhere to the South African Government protocols on how we as a country will fight this epidemic together, as a unified nation. We also wish tremendous strength to all those infected and condolences to family and friends of those who have perished.”
Marlene le Roux, Artscape’s CEO, re-iterates this sentiment, saying: “I had a lengthy, urgent meeting with my planning team to look at each production scheduled to take place at Artscape between March and May 2020. We have successfully cancelled and/or postponed and rescheduled productions over this period. Each local and international producer has been contacted personally in this regard, and to the best of our ability, every eventuality has been looked at and a happy medium achieved. Please be aware that all postponements to the latter part of the year may even still be cancelled, depending on the developments regarding the COVID-19. We will keep everyone informed about these.”
Any tickets purchased to date will be refunded by Computicket subject to their terms and conditions. For more information you may contact the Artscape Box Office on 021 421-7839 or the Computicket Call Centre which will also be able to assist with more information on the cancellation/refund or exchange process. You may contact the Call Centre on 0861 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, Monday to Saturday, between 08h00 and 20h00. The Call Centre is closed on Sundays and on some public holidays. Alternately you may e-mail info@computicket.com or boxoffice@artscape.co.za
Artscape apologises for any inconvenience that this decision may have caused and appreciates the support and understanding of our patrons, performing artists, service; providers, our employees and the public at large.
We will continue to monitor the situation and be guided by the Government guidelines. For any further information please email Artscape on artscape@artscape.co.za. We will also provide updates via our social media feeds and website.
IN ENGLISH FOR DOWNLOAD: Artscape Coronavirus Statement
IN AFRIKAANS: Artscape Coronavirus Persverklaring
ARTSCAPE ACTION PLAN: https://www.artscape.co.za/artscape-productions-affected-by-corona-virus/