PRESS: Cape Town's hottest immersive theatre event, THE CARDINAL, awaits

The Outlore Base

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Cape Town’s hottest immersive theatre event, THE CARDINAL, promises an an intoxicating mix of ritual, theatre, and nightlife — only at The Outlore Base! This August, The Outlore unveils THE CARDINAL, a daring new immersive theatre experience where audiences are not just spectators, but members of a shadowy world of power, desire,and secrets.

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From darkly decadent productions like 'Absinthe' to escape room theatre like 'The Ungrateful Gargoyle', The Outlore thrives in the space where theatre meets creativity and community. Their offerings celebrate the unconventional, the curious, and the bold — creating experiences that linger long after the final scene. Their latest offering is no exception... THE CARDINAL.

There is no fourth wall, no assigned seat, and no single perspective. You are free to move, explore, and follow whichever story pulls you in. At THE CARDINAL, the action unfolds around you — behind you, beside you, sometimes whispered right into your ear.

Abandon all virtue, you who enter here ... And the performance begins. As you step inside THE CARDINAL you will be met by larger than life characters, but you will notice a man seated at the bar alone. He is, like you, a guest in this fantasy world. The barman approaches the mysterious man and bestows an alias onto him... the game is on! The performance spirals into a series of cryptic trials, revealing a conspiracy that threatens to expose the club’s origins... and his own.

Can this mystery player solve the puzzle and escape or will he dwell in THE CARDINAL forever?

Taking place at The Outlore Base, the city’s new home for underground and fringe experiences, THE CARDINAL invites guests to step inside a world of red shadows, whispered deals, and intoxicating rituals. Each audience member’s choices determine how far into the story they will go... and what they’ll discover.

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“THE CARDINAL is part theatre, part choose your own adventure,” says creator Kimberley Buckle. “The show takes audiences along a path of their own design and allows each spectator to get a completely unique outcome.”

This show offers audiences multiple story paths, interactive elements, richly designed set, costuming, and live performance along with themed cocktail & pre-show bar atmosphere. What's not to love?!

Written and directed by Kimberley Buckle (XCODE, May I Have This Dance) and choreographed by Liam Tamejen Gillespie (XCODE, Absinthe), THE CARDINAL's immersive experience sees a stellar cast bring to life this non-traditional theatre show: Matt Newman (Mamma Mia, The Crown), S’Qhamo Mangcu (Comedy in Common, Black Mouse), Naoline Quinzin (The Tempest, Spring Awakening), Henu Baden (Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, Closer), Jenna Röll (Celebrity Skin, Genesis), Gaeten G-Boi Musungaie (Cape Towns Most Wanted, Artclub and Friends Campaign), Caya Finn (Costa Cruises).

Catch THE CARDINAL at The Outlore Base from 21 August to 20 September 2025. Tickets can be booked through Quicket. Advance booking is advised, with limited capacity per night. Please note the production carries an age restriction of 18.