Durban Playhouse Company

The basics

The Playhouse Company has hosted world-class touring programs, such as the Moscow Ballet, alongside music spanning the gamut from Handel to Indian and African selections. Tours of the theater are by appointment only, so the best way to see how the complex’s two buildings—each with a distinct architectural flair—fit together is to come along to a performance. Some concerts and community shows are free, while others need to book well in advance.

Things to know before you go

• The Playhouse Company is worth a look for fans of live entertainment.
• If you’re in Durban over the weekend, check ahead to see what’s on at The Playhouse. Book ahead for big touring events.
• The theater is wheelchair accessible, with accessible bathrooms.

How to get there

The Playhouse Company sits in the heart of downtown Durban, right opposite Durban City Hall. It’s about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of Durban railway station and about a 5-minute walk northwest of the Vasco da Gama clock. The People Mover bus links the theater complex to other downtown attractions and the waterfront on the City Line.

When to get there

Most performances at The Playhouse Company are in the evenings or afternoons. There are always shows on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Durban’s eclectic architecture

Durban’s architecture is as much a mishmash as its food is, with party-colored art deco sitting alongside Hindu temples and sleek modernism. If you’re stopping by The Playhouse, with its eye-catching combination of mock Tudor and 1930s glamor, don’t miss the Durban City Hall opposite. Architect Stanley Hudson designed it in the neo-baroque style and modeled it on Northern Ireland’s Belfast City Hall.