The Labia Theatre is located on Orange Street just on from the prestigious Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. Having recently celebrated its 70th birthday, the former Italian ballroom has become a landmark as an independent cinema in Cape Town. Just recently the cinema converted to digital, enabling it to broaden its offering with the help of some effective crowdfunding campaigns. Digital has breathed new life into the independent theatre, enabling them to roll with the times and the upgrade has spurred them to improve their general amenities too.
The theatre has retained much of its old world charm with many decals from yesteryear still prevalent in the main foyer, most notably the old school box office where you can buy tickets and query showtimes. Walking through the archway entrance, which is often where the red carpet starts, this venue has hosted many film festivals, premieres and even press screenings.
While the parking has always been a sore point, this hasn’t stopped people from making the Labia Theatre their first choice when it comes to film going experiences. Thanks to the rise of rideshare services, there’s nothing stopping people from being dropped off at the cinema like movie stars.
Now that the cinema has gone digital, they have a much broader offering of film releases, which are much easier to play intermittently in each theatre without having to change reels as they have done in the past. Catering mainly to arthouse films, owner and curator Ludi Krause has ensured that more commercially accessible films have also been scheduled on the film lineup.
From small independent releases to much bigger blockbuster films with more of an emphasis on spectacle, the Labia Theatre is a versatile exhibitor not afraid to play some of the more controversial films as well.
In terms of snacks, you can expect home bakes and they have a liquor licence, which gives patrons more options when it comes to confectionery and drinks. Going much further than a simple popcorn and Coke, which they do offer as well, you’re able to watch the movie the way you want to watch it.
The main cinema seats about 170, serving as their premiere venue and generally where their most popular films start their theatrical run. Cinema 2 seats about 100 people, serving as the venue for popular films in their second or third week while cinema 3 and cinema 4 offer smaller screening venues, reserved for private functions or films that have been showing for a much longer period.
In terms of pricing, they’re very competitive setting the ticket price at R60 with the option of getting them for a reduced price if you buy a booklet of 10 movie vouchers. They also have a number of attractive meal and movie deals with nearby restaurants, making it much easier to turn it into an evening. You can buy tickets at the box office or you can book online via webtickets, making the process fairly hassle-free. Their website labia.co.za gives you the full schedule, write-ups on each of the film that’s currently showing and an overview of upcoming events and festivals. Seen as a cultural hub for the arts, they make a point of trying to be as accommodating as possible when it comes to community events and independent festivals.
The terrace is a pleasant open air area where you can have a coffee or a drink with friends while waiting for your film to start. They serve smaller meals such as pies and quiches, making it easy to grab a bite to eat or feast on some of the sweet treats on offer.
The allure of the Labia Theatre is in stepping back in time, enjoying the old school venue and it’s characterful staff, most of whom have been there for years. Many enjoy going to the Labia Theatre for its quirky, unconventional and independent cinema experience. While a popular destination for tourists wanting to get a taste of Cape Town, it has always maintained a loyal fan base.
Right now with the knock-on effects of a 21 day shutdown in South Africa, they have decided to close. While they couldn’t make this decision lightly, they are encouraging regular patrons to consider not getting a refund for the tickets they have purchased. Furthermore, they are encouraging friends and family of the Labia Theatre to support them by pre-buying tickets. This will enable them to maintain the level of cash flow in order to cover the basic hard costs and keep them afloat whilst bridging this difficult period.
So while you won’t be able to pay a visit to the Labia Theatre right now to experience the neon glow, old school charm and famous or infamous pigeons, you may well write it down on your bucket list and even consider buying a booklet of 10 tickets in advance so that you’re raring to go when it does reopen.
One-word Review: Singular
Labia Theatre
68 Orange Street, Cape Town
Open daily, first shows start closer to midday.