The Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg, was founded in 1976 by Mannie Manim and Barney Simon. It was housed in what used to be Johannesburgs Indian Fruit Market, built in 1913. The Market Theatre became an icon of the struggle against Apartheid since its inception in 1976. The practitioners that worked there between the years 1976 and 1994 were actively involved in the struggle against Apartheid, and much of the work that was developed and performed then was Struggle Theatre. This then in its entirety forms a very important part of South African history, and documents work that was written and performed in the light of cultural boycotts at the time. Any archive that exists on The Market Theatre that includes activities over these years serves as both theatre archive and Apartheid archive.
The Market Theatre is now administered through The Market Theatre Foundation, together with The Market Laboratory, The Market Photo Workshop and the Windybrow Arts Centre.