Graaff-Reinet Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society

Founded in the late 19th Century, and became nationally renowned for their musical work, notably their Gilbert and Sullivan productions. In 1909 Pieter Pohl and Hendrik Momberg joined them and the society began to include Afrikaans songs, dialogues and even plays in their repertoire (e.g. Joan Wouters, 1912; Fijne Beskuite, 1913, Piet s'n Tante, 1914 and Die Trouwbelofte, 1914), notably after the failure of the Dutch-language Graaff-Reinetse Dramatische Vereniging in 1912. They also used Afrikaans performers - such as Danie Olivier - in their operettas. In 1915 however trouble arose between the Afrikaans and English factions, and a separate new Afrikaans society (Die Graaff-Reinetse Letterkundige en Toneel Vereniging - "The Graaf Reinet Literary and Theatrical Society" - with Pieter Pohl as chairman) was founded.

When the Graaff-Reinet Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society closed down in 19**, they sold their costumes to African Theatres for £2000.

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page