South Africa's controversial magazine publisher Joe Theron has splashed out R24-million renovating the dilapidated Victory Theatre in Orange Grove, east of Joburg.

The local publisher of Hustler, an international adult magazine, is turning the 85-year-old theatre into the permanent home of the world famous music production Umoja, The Spirit of Togetherness.

"Once we complete all the work in December, the theatre will definitely be one of the country's top stage production and entertainment venues," said Theron, speaking from his Hustler office in Sydney, Australia.

The four-storey theatre, where workers are busy tearing down walls and ripping up old wooden floors, will feature an orchestra pit, restaurant, soundproof music bar and a four-storey parking lot.

Along with other renovations, the large windows overlooking Louis Botha Avenue will be double-glazed, to cut down on traffic noise and the floors will be replaced.

The theatre will also contain 520 seats and the restaurant and bar - with a view down Louis Botha Avenue and across to Sandton - will be able to accommodate 620 people.

Theron said the theatre would fulfil his dream of finding a permanent home for the hit musical.

"Umoja is the best [musical] show South Africa has ever had ... and over the years I've realised that because the demand was high, we needed a place where it can run full time," said Theron.

After four years of touring 26 countries, Umoja now has a home at one of the city's oldest theatres.

The show is a revue of home-spun music from traditional rural songs to kwaito and pantsula jive.

The plot concerns a young man's journey from his family's kraal in the Drakensberg, through the shantytowns of Durban and Soweto, to the new kwaito clubs.

Theron, who first saw Umoja in 2001 and sold his R3-million Houghton mansion to finance the production's debut in London's West End, said he always knew the show would be a success.

The musical, which was created by Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, performed in sold-out venues across the world.

Now Theron hopes that the show's cast of 40 performers from disadvantaged communities will also draw record crowds when it is staged at the theatre in Orange Grove.

While searching for a permanent venue for Umoja almost two years ago, Theron said he didn't think twice about paying R2.5-million for the old theatre, which has staged a number of successful productions, including Ipi Tombi.

Ipi Tombi ran on-and-off for about 20 years.

Apart from Umoja, the theatre will now also feature popular local musicians, including Johnny Clegg.

The "White Zulu", as Clegg is popularly known, has booked the Victory Theatre for several shows early next year.

His manager, Roddy Quinn, said they had chosen the venue because it was specifically being renovated for music performances.

Theron said he had no doubts about the future success of the theatre.

"Whatever I touch and do goes well. I have never failed in anything that I do," he said.

When Umoja featured on London's West End, Theron then reportedly said: "If it runs to full houses, we stand to make about R1.7-million a week in profit on ticket sales alone."

Umoja, which won the SA Music Award for the Best DVD last year, was also awarded the Arts and Culture Heritage Award in Canada.

Sunday Times
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge