Arena Theatre
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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)
For more information, see Arena.
Arena Theatre
Sometimes also referred to as Theatre-in-the-round. Theatre-in-the-round is a theatre space in which the audience surrounds the acting area.
It was common in ancient theatre, particularly that of Greece and Rome but was not widely adopted again until the second half of the 20th century, initially in the United States.
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).
Cape Town
Arena Theatre, Nico Malan Theatre Centre/Artscape
The Arena Theatre (or simply The Arena) is a performance space at the Nico Malan Theatre Centre (later Artscape), Cape Town. A small, flexible space seating up to 140 people, which was constructed in the wings of the Theatre stage, with a separate street entrance.
For more information, see Nico Malan Theatre Centre (pre 2001) and Artscape Theatre Centre (post 2001).
Arena Theatre, Hiddingh Campus
The Arena Theatre at the Hiddingh Campus, University of Cape Town is an adaptable theatre space with removable seating. Performances can be done in a conventional seating array, side-seating, in-the-round or thrust-seating array. The theatre has a dressing room and balcony and a foyer with a bar. It has a well equipped sound system and can seat up to 70 people, depending on the seating arrangement.
For more information, see University of Cape Town Drama Department.
Johannesburg
Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)
It was a converted house in Doornfontein (on the corner of St. Augustine and Louisa Streets), 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. The new Arena in Doornfontein, Johannesburg opened its doors on 15 July 1971 with the production Die Hand vol Vere. It was also employed by the PACT English company as an experimental theatre for controversial productions.
Barney Simon and Mannie Manim used the theatre for The Company. The Arena saw talents such as Michael Richard, Eckard Rabe, Richard Haines, Annelisa 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?, and Children of the Wolf with L'Amante Anglaise by Marguerite Duras as its last before PACT’s Arena Theatre company moved premises in Rosebank in 1975.
1971: Die Hand vol Vere (PACT)
1973: Yin-Yang Cinders (PACT), Enemy! (PACT)
1974: Hey, Listen... (The Company), Lysistrata (The Company), L'Amante Anglaise
For more information, see Arena Theatre Company (PACT) and The Company.
Arena Theatre, Rosebank (1975-1980)
ARENA THEATRE, Rosebank, Johannesburg. PACT’s experimental theatre. The Arena Theatre company moved premises from Doornfontein to a disused school (Rosebank Primary 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 The 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 presented A Christmas Carol 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 Adventures of Tom Sawyer presented by Children's Theatre Productions in 1980.
Arena Bistro Theatre, Rosebank (1980-?)
The Arena 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. In December 1980, The Playmakers presented Storytime here, devised and directed by Kay Theron.
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.
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).
The Sanlam Arena was subsequently built on this site. It opened in April 1988.
Pretoria
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 88 seats 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.
For more information, see South African State Theatre.
Arena Theatre Company
There have been three theatre companies named Arena Theatre Company.
For more information, see Arena Theatre Company.
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