No 1 Ladies' Opera House opened: 30-06-2008
The No 1 Ladies Opera House has been opened in Botswana, attended by writer of
No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the woman who claims to be the basis for its main character.
The tiny opera house is situated in a converted garage and was the inspiration for J.L.B. Maketoni's Speedy Motors in the detective stories.
It is the only classical music venue in Botswana's capital, Gaborone.
Zimbabwe-born author Alexander McCall Smith, who wrote
No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, said that he hopes to create opportunities for budding Botswanan musicians.
"Botswanans love singing and love music," he said.
"What would be great is if, through this place, we find people whose voices can be trained.
"My dream is to see someone start here and end up at La Scala."
McCall Smith's novel made Botswana a household name in the UK and fans of the book will now be able to visit one of the book's locations to see the cream of Botswanan classical music, albeit in a tiny, 60-capacity theatre.