Arena Theatre

Arena
The Roman name for a (circular or semi-circular) performance or gaming space. In the 20th century, became a popular name for a performance space. According to Wikipedia it is "An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the lowest point, allowing for maximum visibility. Usually, an arena is designed to accommodate a fairly large number of spectators." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena)

Arena Theatre
Sometimes also referred to as Theatre-in-the-round

The Arena
Used as an abbreviated term for "Arena Theatre" in many cases. There are several such cases in South Africa (e.g. for a performance space in the Nico Malan Centre - later Artscape, and in the State Theatre Pretoria, and the Arena Theatre, Rosebank).

Arena Theatre, Nico Malan Centre/ArtsCape
ARENA THEATRE (or simply The Arena), Nico Malan Centre (later Artscape), Cape Town. A small, flexible space seating 96 people, which was constructed in the wings of the Drama stage in 198*, with an entrance to the street. Used by the CAPAB company for experimental and intmate performances, it opened in 198* with a brilliant production of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milkwood. ** Numerous groundbreaking productions have been done there over the years, including Rosalie van der Gucht’s production of James Ambrose Brown’s version of The Story of an African Farm, ***, **, Mis, Mirakel and Drif (all three by Reza de Wet),. Other groups also used the space, such as the Peninsula Group for the Performing Arts (with Die Bulldozers het Gekom in 1986), **

Arena Theatre, Hiddingh Campus
Arena Theatre, Hiddingh Campus, University of Cape Town. The Drama Department at the University of Cape Town also have a space they call the Arena. Utilizing a **, converted in 19**, the space is used for ***

Arena Theatre, Rosebank
ARENA THEATRE, Rosebank, Johannesburg. PACT’s experimental theatre. It was a converted house in Doornfontein, one of the few remaining suburbs in Johannesburg that was still home to a mixture of races during the apartheid years. Mannie Manim used this to his advantage during his days as drama manager for the PACT, holding dress rehearsals there in order for blacks to attend. It was also employed by the PACT English company as an experimental theatre for controversial productions. These include *** The Arena Theatre: François Swart directed A Winter Vacation by Don Maclennan for PACT at the Arena in 1970. Barney Simon directed Jean Genet’s The Maids with Molly Seftel, Barbara Itzler and Maya Obel for PACT at the Arena around 1971. The new Arena in Doornfontein, Johannesburg opened its doors on 15 July 1971 with the production Die Hand vol Vere. Barney Simon and Mannie Manim used the theatre for The Company. Barney Simon directed Lysistrata for The Company at the Arena in 1974. The Company put on late-night entertainment called Hey, Listen at the Arena in 1974. The Arena saw talents such as Michael Richard, Eckard Rabe, Richard Haines, Annelise Weiland, Dorothy Ann Gould, Graham Hopkins, Reza de Wet and others, with productions such as El Grande de Coca Cola, Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?, Enemy and Children of the Wolf with L’Amante Anglaise by Marguerite Duras as its last before PACT’s Arena Theatre company moved premises to a disused school in Rosebank in 1975. Their opening production was Ken Leach’s production of The Duchess of Malfi with Leonie Hofmeyer and Bill Flynn. Ken Leach directed Frank Wedekind’s Lulu plays for PACT at the Rosebank Arena in 1976. Athol Fugard directed a revival of Hello and Goodbye and Annabel Linder starred in Edith Piaf, No Regrets at PACT’s Arena in 1977. PACT staged Robert Kirby’s one-man revue Quodlibet here in 1978. PACT staged a revival of El Grande de Coca Cola with direction by Michael Richard and starring Elizabeth Rae, Wilson Dunster, Gillian Harris, Etienne Puren and Alan Goldstein here in 1979. Des and Dawn Lindberg staged Jeremy Taylor’s Back in Town, and The Importance of Being Irish, directed by Nicholas Amer with Thom Delaney here in 1979.The Arena was refurbished and renamed the Arena Bistro Theatre in 1980. An adaptation of Fielding’s Tom Jones directed by Janice Honeyman opened here in February 1983. Jeremy Taylor staged his one-man show Stuff in March 1983. *** (Tucker, 1997)

Arena Bistro Theatre, Rosebank
Johannesburg, was refurbished and renamed the Arena Bistro Theatre in 1980. Des and Dawn Lindberg produced I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road directed by Malcolm Purkey and starring Bruce Millar and Dawn in 1980. Des and Dawn Lindberg presented Lennon with Dawn directing this tribute starring Bruce Millar, Gay Lambert, Colin Shapiro and Colin Shamley in 1981. PACT staged The State Theatre Overflow Show starring Michael McCabe, James White, Pamela Gien and Peter Terry with direction by Nigel Vermaas in 1981. *** (Tucker, 1997).

The Arena Theatre, South African State Theatre
The Arena is the complex's third largest theatre in the South African State Theatre (formerly the State Theatre Pretoria) and can double as the main opera rehearsal hall.

There is no set seating in the Arena except for the 88seats on the gallery. Movable and collapsible seating units can provide a further 200 seats for patrons.Fully equipped computerised lighting and sound control rooms form part of this highly sophisticated theatre.

Arena Theatre Company, Cape Town
ARENA THEATRE COMPANY, The, Cape Town. Founded in 1997 by Jason Ralph, Chris Weare, Jocelyn Hughes, Mark Dymond, Keren Tahor. Productions include Noises Off (200*-), Skyf (200*-), Pick Ups (200*-), Elizabeth (200*-), Lovborg's Women (200*-), **

Arena Theatre Company, Johannesburg
ARENA THEATRE COMPANY, The. Johannesburg. *** They performed Christopher Fry’s The Lady’s not for Burning and Jean Anouilh’s Antigone as part of the Johannesburg Festival in 1956. *** Arena Theatre Company: They booked the YMCA during the festival period of 1956, and staged their non Festival production of Christopher Fry’s The Lady’s Not for Burning, starring Jenny Gratus, Robert Lang and Will Jamieson. They also staged Jean Anouilh’s Antigone with Beryl Gordon and Arthur Hall during this same period. *** (Tucker, 1997)

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page