Located at the corner of Glengariff and Main Road Sea Point, Cape Town, is a theatre venue known as Richards Supper & Bistro.
I got invited for a night dedicated to a spectacle. When I arrived, I walked on through upstairs to their Supper Stage, which is predicated on transporting both local and international guests “into the world of entertainment, featuring talented artists performing in a variety of shows from cabaret to jazz to comedy.” My friend J and I are led by our tummy’s – specifically the promise of good food cooking – so it was inevitable that we’d land up at the establishment at some point in our Cape Town foodie escapades.
From the outside, the bistro looks like New York’s second coming, and we entered to quintessential rustic bistro vibes – with mirrors and walls decorated in 50years-worth of the establishment owner Richard Loring’s musical theatre, television, records, movies and cabaret memorabilia.
Welcome drinks were downed with brute efficiency, and the hyped up show began as we munched on a salad and bread entree.
I will say this: for their specific ideal market, Richards knows how to play to their expectations, as their “Kaapse Stories” show featured stand-up situational comedy, poignant history,the love story trope of old, and the colorful exaggeration of the stereotypical Cape motif – all wrapped in a pretty commercialized tourist gloss. Richard Loring’s experience as the producer of internationally-acclaimed ‘African Footprint’ is quite evident in the stringent structure of the show. However, where Richard’s entertainers succeed in tickling international clientele with time encapsulated mise-en-scenes that ensure audience members stay secure in the security of their foreign modernity, the only locals that would revel in such a show would be niche fanatics of over-stylized theatre tropes, executed with mild levels of genuine pleasure.
One may consider this racial bias, but I do believe the treasures of Richards’ lies in the black singers that are supporting cast members in the show.
From the firm vocal control, the sound resonance and pure talent that echoed across the upstairs theatre venue, I firmly believe that those singers are classically trained wonders who were actually instrumental in moving the shows diegeses from overplayed tourist trap, into something a little more memorable and noteworthy, as an authentic Kaapse experience.
My friend and I were rather looking forward to the “exclusive scrumptious Cape Buffet, and it looked wonderful while being introduced with such fanfare.
The Menu
Starters
This starter is plated and is served to the table – Greek salads & freshly baked baguettes
Cape Town Plate
Smoked Snoek Pate, Samoosa & Grilled Vegetables
Main Course
(Options will be served on a buffet)
Dessert
(Also plated and served to the tables)
So a 5/10 for a food, and a 6/10 for the whole supper stage dining experience.
Im in love with their mirrors though so 10/10 for that 🙂
I recommend Richards Supper Stage & Bistro purely because – for all my cringing at the ‘Kaapse Stories’ acting – the Richards Supper Stage is something you should feel obligated to scratch off the bucket list right after visiting The Labia, and getting into that theatre mood.
Bistro: 021 434 6738/ 021 433 1918
Supper Stage: 021 434 4497/ 021 433 1340
Show Bookings: 076 144 4809
