Theatre Residential Clubs

Theatre Residential Clubs refers to a charitable enterprise launched by the theatre community in the 1980s.

The concept and history

The concept of a series of 'retirement homes' for retired theatre practitioners was the brain-child of P.P.B. Breytenbach as chairman of the Theatre Benevolent Fund (TBF), in response to the dilemma facing numerous performers and other theatre makers. The idea was that theatre people could reside in a club atmosphere, among their "own" and thus be able to maintain their status and uphold their, often esoteric, way of living. The TBF created the Theatre Residential Club Trust Fund for this purpose and at a TBF meeting in 1979 it was decided to rather register it as a non-profit utility company. This was done by 14 November 1980.

The Company then requested the TBF to assist it in purchasing Polana Court in Berea, Johannesburg as their first project for their purpose. This twenty unit building was purchased for R 146 500 of which a R100 000 bond was put down. Most of the flats were sponsored by donors and then named after theatre artists who passed away. The TRC (thereafter being known as Theatre Residential Clubs) and the idea was that first club in Johannesburg would pave the way for similar residential clubs in the other four provinces.

Sources

Johan van Rooyen. 1981. "Heenkome vir SA se verhoogveterane", Hoofstad, 26 August: p. 11

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page