View source for Theatre de L'Union

A French company  briefly active in Cape Town in 1848. 

It was founded by professional French performers from the disbanded [[Dalle Case Company]], to provide them with work in Cape Town, because they felt that [[Dalle Case]] had failed to find suitable venues for their performances and, in some instances, had not paid them. Forced to look  out for themselves, they separated from him and, led by  Messrs [[L. Victor]], [[C. Crosset]] and [[X. Hus]], on 25 March 1848 announced the formation of a new theatrical company under the motto "L'Union". It hence became known as the [[Thêàtre de L'Union]] (written  [[Theatre de L'Union]] by Bosman). 

Their first performance was on  Friday March 31, 1848 at the [[Garrison Theatre]] and included :  ''[[The Resources of Jonah]]'' (Scribe). 

Having been dissatisfied with both the [[Hope Street Theatre]] and the [[Garrison Theatre]], the company finally settled into the [[Drury Lane Theatre]] for a run of six successful performances. 

Programmes consisted of [[Music hall|vaudeville]], song and dance.  The company's last performance was on September 25, 1848 in the [[Commercial Exchange]], before ill-health and their lack of variety saw them fading into oblivion early in 1849. 

== Sources ==

[[F.C.L. Bosman]], 1928: pp.437-9; 

Laidler, 1926 

[TH, JH]

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