Opened in 1981 on the site of Pretoria’s old market square, the South African State Theatre was built for the Performing Arts Council of Transvaal and is often billed as the largest theatre complex in Africa, covering roughly 72,000 square metres. It has grown from its original four venues to six, the Opera, Drama, Arena, Studio, Momentum and Rendezvous theatres, with combined seating for around 2,700 people. The complex briefly carried a sponsor’s name in 1999 before closing in 2000 amid financial troubles, reopening in April 2001 under its current identity. Today it remains one of Pretoria’s premier venues for opera, drama, dance and large events, hosting everything from touring productions to community and corporate functions across its many stages.