For Mannie Manim, co founder of the Market Theatre, the Market Theatre’s story began one night on a verandah in Lenasia. Manim shares his remarkable dream to start a theatre that would be open to everyone. It was to be a space that would allow the people of South Africa to make the theatre they wanted to, and challenge the Nationalist Government and it’s infamous apartheid regime at the time.

Creative Feel reminisces on the other half of the dynamic duo, ‘one of the twelve wise men’ Barney Simon, as referred to by Manim, and his immense passion for the Market Theatre and its people. The Main Theatre of the newly renovated Market Theatre was officially named after John Kani in 2014. Kani is patron and special ambassador of the Market Theatre Foundation and his contribution to the South African Arts industry is phenomenal. Read what the ‘Godfather of South African Theatre’ had to say about the work he has made at the Market Theatre, and how coming to the theatre was the most important decision of his life.

Novelist and playwright, Zakes Mda has been involved in the Market for almost 40 years and attributes his success to the theatre, as he remembers its early days.

Creative Feel features another prolific playwright and actor, Paul Slabolepszy, who says coming back to the Market Theatre after a theatrical hiatus since the early 2000s, feels like coming home. In 1981, as a young man, Sello Maake kaNcube ventured to the great Market Theatre to perform in a ‘try-out’, as it was called then. The actor recalls rehearsals with Simon when “you would see life shine through his eyes”.

Creative Feel hasn’t forgotten the brilliant beauties of the Market Theatre, the talented women who contributed to this influential institution. One of few female, South African storytellers Gcina Mhlophe calls the Market Theatre “the child that has seen it all” while Dame Janet Suzman says “The founding of the Market Theatre was a political act in itself.”

Vanessa Cooke starred in both The Seagull and Marat/Sade in 1976, which officially opened the Upstairs Theatre and the Main Theatre respectively.

The 2016 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is quickly approaching and Creative Feel checked out the Main programme to keep you in the loop on everything you should not miss. Another important date that should be diarised is Thursday, 16 June where we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. Vuyani Dance Theatre (VDT), partners with the Apartheid Museum to bring history to vivid life in an outstanding performance.

This month Creative Feel also introduces you to Johannesburg’s latest brand hub: WORK SHOP NEWTOWN, get shopping. And, if you’re in the mood for a freebie, enter the SHAOLIN competition to win tickets to this extravaganza, SHAOLIN.

Copies of Creative Feel are available at Exclusive Books as well as at selected art hubs such as The Gavin Project (Maboneng).

For more information, visit creativefeel.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.