The Lyceum

The Lyceum, was a theatre venue in Port Elizabeth for 6 years (1853-8).

Also referred to by some as the Lyceum Theatre and, seemingly even as the Lycean Theatre.

Not to be confused with the famous Lyceum Theatre in London, which had quite an influence in South Africa in the 19th century through visiting performers attached to that venue.

The name
There is some confusion about the name, for Jill Fletcher (citing J. Redgrave, 1947) has the name of the venue as The Lyceum. F.C.L. Bosman (1928. p.509) however quotes from an article in the Cape Monitor of 24 September, 1856, which refers to the theatre as the "Lycean Theatre".

The history
The venue was a wood and iron store which had been converted into a theatre in Port Elizabeth by the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society. It opened on 10 September 1853 with She Stoops to Conquer and Did You Ever Send Your Wife to Camberwell?, and apparently served its purpose for a few years.

It was sold in 1858.

See also the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society.

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