Aula

The Aula was for many years the University of Pretoria's main hall and site of performances and ceremonies.

Also referred to as The Aula or the UP Aula in some sources.

The venue

It was designed by Karel Jooste under the auspices of the architectural firm Philip Nel, Pretoria, as a flexible 1,025-seat auditorium for musical and operatic productions, as part of a complex also including the Rautenbach Hall and a Student Centre. Completed in 1958, it was opened by the then Governor General, Dr E.G. Jansen, and on 2 November, 1958, and inaugurated with performances of a concert by operatic singer Mimi Coertze as part of a gala season of 2 months consisting of drama, music and art.

The Aula remained a major venue in the city until the State Theatre's completion in the early 1980s and played host to foreign dignitaries, presidents, local and international artists and numerous theatrical and musical productions over the years

In 2009 a refurbishment of the old building began, designed by Anton de Jongh of ARC Architects. The new complex, consisting of the Aula theatre, the Rautenbach Hall, the Musaion and the Amphitheatre, and was formally opened in 2012 by UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Cheryl de la Rey followed by a variety programme of song, dance and musical performances as well as art exhibitions. In 2013 thos new Aula complex was awarded the SAPOA Award.

Performances

Among the theatrical works performed there over the years was Neels Hansen's 1972 production of Elektra, inter alia featuring the Greek classical actress Aleka Katseli, along with local performers and drama students from the University of Pretoria.