Arena Theatre - Revision history

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:19:12Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:18:03Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:16:27Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:16:01Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:14:54Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:14:08Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975) */

2026-06-09T15:12:42Z

Arena Theatre, Doornfontein (1971-1975)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Rosebank (1975-1980) */

2026-05-29T09:07:24Z

Arena Theatre, Rosebank (1975-1980)

Darryl: /* Arena Theatre, Rosebank (1975-1980) */

2026-05-25T12:38:25Z

Arena Theatre, Rosebank (1975-1980)

Darryl: /* Arena Bistro Theatre, Rosebank (1980-?) */

2026-05-24T17:20:39Z

Arena Bistro Theatre, Rosebank (1980-?)

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 : ''[[Yin-Yang Cinders]]'' ([[PACT]]), ''[[Enemy!]]'' ([[PACT]])
-: ''[[Hey, Listen...]]'' ([[The Company]]), ''[[Lysistrata]]'' ([[The Company]])
+: ''[[Hey, Listen...]]'' ([[The Company]]), ''[[Lysistrata]]'' ([[The Company]]), ''[[L'Amante Anglaise]]''
 '''For more information, see [[Arena Theatre Company (PACT)]] and [[The Company]].'''

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
+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.
 : ''[[Die Hand vol Vere]]'' ([[PACT]])
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 : ''[[The Maids]]'' ([[PACT]])
-: ''[[Yin-Yang Cinders]]'' ([[PACT]])
+: ''[[Yin-Yang Cinders]]'' ([[PACT]]), ''[[Enemy!]]'' ([[PACT]])
 : ''[[Hey, Listen...]]'' ([[The Company]]), ''[[Lysistrata]]'' ([[The Company]])

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
+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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
 : ''[[Die Hand vol Vere]]'' ([[PACT]])
-: ''[[The Maids]]''
+: ''[[The Maids]]'' ([[PACT]])
 : ''[[Yin-Yang Cinders]]'' ([[PACT]])

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
   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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
-: ''[[Die Hand vol Vere]]''
+: ''[[Die Hand vol Vere]]'' ([[PACT]])
 : ''[[The Maids]]''

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 : ''[[Die Hand vol Vere]]''
-: [[Barney Simon]] directed Jean Genet’s ''[[The Maids]]'' with [[Molly Seftel]], [[Barbara Itzler]] and [[Maya Obel]] for PACT at the Arena around 1971.
+: ''[[The Maids]]''
 : ''[[Yin-Yang Cinders]]'' ([[PACT]])

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 === 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.
+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]] directed Jean Genet’s ''[[The Maids]]'' with [[Molly Seftel]], [[Barbara Itzler]] and [[Maya Obel]] for PACT at the Arena around 1971. Barney Simon and Mannie Manim used the theatre for [[The Company]]. Barney Simon directed ''[[Lysistrata]]'' for The Company at the Arena in 1974. The Company put on late-night entertainment called ''[[Hey, Listen...]]'' at the Arena in 1974. 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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
+[[Barney Simon]] directed Jean Genet’s ''[[The Maids]]'' with [[Molly Seftel]], [[Barbara Itzler]] and [[Maya Obel]] for PACT at the Arena around 1971. Barney Simon and Mannie Manim used the theatre for [[The Company]]. Barney Simon directed ''[[Lysistrata]]'' for The Company at the Arena in 1974.  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?]]'', ''[[Enemy!]]'' 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.
 '''For more information, see [[Arena Theatre Company (PACT)]] and [[The Company]].'''

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 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 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 Lindberg|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.
+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 Lindberg|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-?)===

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 The Arena was refurbished and renamed the Arena Bistro Theatre in 1980.
-[[Des Lindberg|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. 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.
+[[Des Lindberg|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]].
 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. ([[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997).