The theatre was established in 1976 by Barney Simon and Mannie Manim as a non-racial space during the height of the apartheid era.
It famously staged plays like Athol Fugard’s 'Sizwe Banzi is Dead' that challenged systemic government policies.
The complex is housed within the converted Edwardian-style building of the original Johannesburg Indian Fruit Market.
It is home to the Market Photo Workshop, an internationally acclaimed school of photography founded by David Goldblatt.
The venue has won numerous international awards, including the American Jujamcyn Theater Award in 1995 for its role in theatre history.
The Market Theatre is a legendary independent theatre complex in Johannesburg that played a critical role in the anti-apartheid struggle by defying segregation laws. Housed in a renovated 1913 Indian fruit market, the venue retains its industrial architectural heritage while functioning as a multi-stage arts complex. It encompasses three main theatres, the Barney Simon, the Main, and the Mannie Manim, alongside the Market Photo Workshop. The venue specializes in contemporary South African drama, original productions, and experimental works. It remains a central hub for the city's performing arts scene, hosting both professional theatre and grassroots music and dance performances. The complex is located in the heart of the Newtown cultural precinct.
The red-brick industrial facade and the iconic, preserved market signage on the exterior.
Check the performance calendar in advance to book specific shows, as popular productions sell out.
Dine at the on-site restaurant or bar before or after your show to experience the historic atmosphere.
Check the exhibition gallery at the Market Photo Workshop, which is often open to the public.
Do not wander the surrounding Newtown area alone late at night; use secure parking facilities inside or immediately adjacent to the venue complex.
Performances typically run Tuesday through Sunday; the venue is generally dark on Mondays.
Smart casual; silence is expected during performances, and late arrivals are typically not permitted into the auditorium.
