City Pays Tribute to Cape Town's 'Home Of Shakespeare'

The Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Andrew Arnolds, unveiled two heritage plaques at the Park on 5 December 2006 - one at the site of the original Maynardville Villa, and the other at the entrance to the Maynardville Open Air Theatre.

The ceramic plaques were designed and handcrafted by local sculptor Tanya Babb, using clay from the pond in the park.

According to Christa le Roux, Director: City Parks, this popular park in Wynberg was established 57 years ago when the Cape Town municipality purchased the property from the Maynard family.

The original Maynard's Villa was occupied by James Maynard from 1836 until his death in 1874. After it was damaged by fire, Maynardville was rebuilt by Maynard's nephew, William Farmer.

It remained as the family home until Farmer's daughter, Enid Bernard, died in 1949. It was then sold to the municipality who demolished the dilapidated house, but preserved the grounds as a public park.

In 1956, an open air theatre was launched in the Park with the staging of the Shakespeare play, 'The Taming of the Shrew', by the Spotlight Theatre Company.

This marked the start of Maynardville's annual Shakespearean season in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and Artscape.

Today Maynardville hosts a number of events, the best known being the annual Community Chest Carnival.

"These plaques commemorate the rich cultural heritage of Maynardville. The City pays tribute to all those who have helped to make this venue a premier recreational and cultural asset for the people of Cape Town," said Deputy Mayor Arnolds.

"Today's ceremony marks the end of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the open-air theatre, but also heralds a fresh new impetus to upgrade the Park and contribute towards the urban renewal of Wynberg," he said.

Following an extensive public participation process, the City of Cape Town approved a Development Framework for Maynardville, which has now been designated a 'priority park'.

Implementation of this framework will be spearheaded by the Maynardville Park Action Committee (MPAC), a partnership between the City of Cape Town and the Wynberg community.

"Our vision is to develop the under-utilised and underdeveloped Park to its full potential by introducing new community arts, recreational, scientific and cultural events and programmes," says MPAC Chair, Mary Dewar.

Projects include essential repairs to theatre facilities, incorporation of the Wynberg library, creation of a new gateway entrance, upgrading of the Rozendal Cottage, development of the historic avenue between Wolfe Street and the CBD, and the construction of a people's pavilion.

Issued by:
Lisle Brown
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 400-3065
Directorate: Communication And Marketing
City Of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Phumla Mrubata
Operational Manager - City Parks
Tel: 021 710 9338