The No. 1 Ladies’ Opera House

Alexander McCall Smith has long taken an interest in the musical scene in Botswana. Last year he established a tiny opera house, known as The No. 1 Ladies’ Opera House, at Kgale Siding, just outside Gaborone. The Opera House is accommodated in an old garage converted for the purpose, and operates as a restaurant during the day.

The Opera House project started in a small way and will remain a small project – the essential aim is to provide a stage for some of the very good amateur singers that one encounters in Botswana. The musical side of the project is being run by David Slater, a well-known musician in Gaborone who has done an immense amount for music in Botswana over the years. It is hoped that at least two musical productions will be put on at The Opera House each year, with smaller musical events being held throughout the year. 

We are delighted to announce that in October 2009 the premiere of a new opera, The Okavango Macbeth, will be staged at The No. 1 Ladies’ Opera House. The opera has been written by the Edinburgh composer, Tom Cunningham, to a libretto by Alexander McCall Smith, and will be produced by Nicholas Ellenbogen from South Africa. The title is somewhat surprising: the opera is an exploration of the Macbeth story amongst a colony of baboons (baboons, with their clear social hierarchies, have Lady Macbeth issues, it seems!)

The restaurant at the Opera House is being run by Catja Orford and her team, who can be seen in the photographs with a selection of the delicious cakes on offer. The restaurant is open from 9.00am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, and is also open for Sunday Brunch from 10.00am – 2.00pm. The weekly menu is small but changing, with home-cooked meals, cakes, good coffee and special Mma Ramotswe teas. If you are visiting Botswana the restaurant is an essential port of call! The telephone number is +267 726 86 557.

The Friends of The No. 1 Ladies’ Opera House

The Chairmanship of the Friends has kindly been taken on by Mrs Maryla Green, who is a well-known patron of the arts in Edinburgh. The Vice-Chairman is Alan Hannah who has been to Botswana, with his wife Barbara, to assist with the setting up of the project. Alan has also kindly agreed to deal with the on-going administration of the Opera House, and he can be contacted by e-mail at alan.hannah1@gmail.com. You can become a Friend of the Opera House, free of charge, by e-mailing Alan. You will receive an occasional electronic newsletter with news about the Opera House and information on forthcoming events.