Durban's already established reputation as a city which takes the arts seriously was enhanced last week when the Seabrooke Theatre was unveiled to an elite gathering of guests at Durban High School.
The Seabrooke, named after a former old boy of the school, is an intimate venue which has been built on the site of the school's chapel and will stage Athol Fugard's Road To Mecca this week.
At the glittering opening which included a welcoming show from some of the school's gumboot dancers and a Hollywood-styled red carpet, guests were treated to a short speech from another former DHS old boy, comedian John Vlismas, who starts his run at the Heritage Theatre tonight.
For once Vlismas toned down his normal spicy repertoire, probably just as well with his former teacher and now headmaster, Dave Magner, in close attendance.
Many of Durban's top theatre personalities were at the opening, including Claire Mortimer (who stars in Mecca), Greg King, Anthony Stonier, Steven Stead, Garth Anderson, Carol Trench, Evan Roberts and Liam Magner, son of the school's principal.