Mr Maphela addressed the Committee on the challenges the Playhouse was experiencing, citing as key amongst others; insufficient funds from the Department; change from being a satellite for the State Theatre to a fully fledged Playhouse without careful consideration having been given to the implications of the new status. This resulted sometimes in the inability to pay staff and stage productions and maintain the property. Mr Maphela stated that in the previous financial year, the theatre only staged 6 out of 15 scheduled stage productions. He also mentioned that the location of the Playhouse posed a challenge as the area (Hillbrow) was regarded as dangerous. Mr Maphela indicated that while the Playhouse was faced with a number of challenges, it also had a number of successes. In this context the Chief Executive Officer indicated that there was positive progress with regards to further funds being made available and the employees were going an extra mile, doing more than was expected of them.