St Stephen's Pinelands Repertory Society

St Stephen's Pinelands Repertory Society (also written as St Stephens Pinelands Repertory Society) was an amateur theatre society in Pinelands, Cape Town. They staged their productions at the St Stephen's Hall.

The society later changed its name to Pinelands Players.

For information post 1986, see Pinelands Players.

History

After the end of WWII the population in Pinelands increased dramatically. The St Stephens Church needed more space to accommodate their flourishing congregation, and they borrowed money from the diocese to build the Victory Hall. Madge Harding, the Rev. Shapter and some enthusiastic parishioners performed concerts, raising funds to repay the loan. The enthusiasm grew and culminated in the formation of the St Stephens Pinelands Repertory Society in 1948, informally known as ‘The Reps’.

Until the 1970’s no less than 3 and often as many as 5 productions were staged annually in the Victory Hall. All funds raised from these productions went back to the Church – to pay off the loan and to improve the facility, transforming it into a fine little theatre with stage, lighting, sound, seating and storage space for props, flats and costumes.

Pantos were introduced, with Geoff Tansley writing and directing them. These became a must at Christmas time for Pinelands families. The productions were well supported and only experienced a hiccup once television was introduced in the mid-70’s.

In 1986 the society’s champion, the Rev. Michael Norman, retired. By now, many members of ‘The Reps’ were not members of the Church and the latter decided the time had come to part company. After 39 years, ‘The Reps’ were given six months’ notice.

Homeless and with a bank balance of R600, a collection of costumes and a now inappropriate name, ‘The Reps’ became nomads. The name was changed to The Pinelands Repertory Society (dropping the St Stephens part), and later to Pinelands Players.

Productions

Productions staged by the society include:

1974: Mother Goose

1975: Robinson Crusoe

1977: Dick Whittington

1978: Aladdin

1979: Cinderella

1986: Old King Cole

Sources

Greyvenstein, Walter 1988. The history and development of children's theatre in English in South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University.

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