Playhouse Theatre - Revision history

Darryl: /* The Playhouse, East London */

2026-05-10T20:15:19Z

The Playhouse, East London

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2026-05-10T20:14:58Z

Founding, function and history

Darryl: /* Productions */

2026-05-10T20:14:19Z

Productions

Darryl: /* The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town */

2026-05-10T20:08:53Z

The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town

Darryl: /* The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town */

2026-05-10T20:08:15Z

The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town

Darryl: /* The Playhouse, Durban */

2026-05-10T20:06:23Z

The Playhouse, Durban

Darryl: /* The Playhouse, Somerset West */

2026-05-10T20:05:54Z

The Playhouse, Somerset West

Darryl: /* The Playhouse, East London */

2026-05-10T20:05:23Z

The Playhouse, East London

Darryl: /* The Playhouse, Somerset West */

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The Playhouse, Somerset West

Darryl at 20:04, 10 May 2026

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 = [[The Playhouse]], East London =
-Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]]. Aside from [[DRAMSOC]] utilizing the venue, the venue was used for various workshops and the [[Junior Dramatic Society]] used to meet there once every fortnight. Initially [[DRAMSOC]] rented the land on a 20-year-lease but later raised sufficient funds to buy it outright. During the period that the [[Guild Theatre]] was closed for refurbishments, [[Lynette Alexander]] and her daughter [[Michele Bandenburger]] introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue.
+Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]]. Aside from [[DRAMSOC]] utilizing the venue, the venue was used for various workshops and the [[Junior Dramatic Society]] used to meet there once every fortnight. Initially [[DRAMSOC]] rented the land on a 20-year-lease but later raised sufficient funds to buy it outright. During the period that the [[Guild Theatre]] was closed for refurbishments, [[Lynette Alexander]] and her daughter [[Michele Brandenburger]] introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue.
 '''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''

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 = [[The Playhouse]], East London =
-==Founding, function and history==
+Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]]. Aside from [[DRAMSOC]] utilizing the venue, the venue was used for various workshops and the [[Junior Dramatic Society]] used to meet there once every fortnight. Initially [[DRAMSOC]] rented the land on a 20-year-lease but later raised sufficient funds to buy it outright. During the period that the [[Guild Theatre]] was closed for refurbishments, [[Lynette Alexander]] and her daughter [[Michele Bandenburger]] introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue.
-Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]].
+'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''
 = Sources =

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 10 May 2026
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	For the production of ''[[Hairspray]]'' in December 2011, [[DRAMSOC]] designed and created their own little orchestra pit, utilizing the area under the stage. In December 2012 the [[Alexander Playhouse]] celebrated [[DRAMSOC]]’s 60th anniversary with a ''[[Showstoppers Diamond Jubilee]]'', directed by [[Michele Brandenburger]].		For the production of ''[[Hairspray]]'' in December 2011, [[DRAMSOC]] designed and created their own little orchestra pit, utilizing the area under the stage. In December 2012 the [[Alexander Playhouse]] celebrated [[DRAMSOC]]’s 60th anniversary with a ''[[Showstoppers Diamond Jubilee]]'', directed by [[Michele Brandenburger]].
−
−	~~==Productions==~~
−
−	Aside from the popular ''[[Showstoppers]]'' productions, DRAMSOC has staged many different types of shows at the venue, including musicals ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]]'', ''[[Grease]]'' and ''[[Hairspray]]'', Valentine's cabarets, drama and comedy productions, Shakespeare and staged play readings.
−
−	The theatre also presented productions by visiting artists, and some of the first shows were ''[[Circle of Love]]'', featuring [[Judy Page]] and her daughter [[Kim Callie]], and ''[[Good Vibrations]]'', directed by [[Themi Venturas]] and starring [[Lisa Bobbert]] and [[Aaron McIlroy]]. Other early cabaret artists who performed at the theatre include [[Kevin Feather]], [[Elzabe Zietsman]] and [[Casper de Vries]].

	= Sources =		= Sources =

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 10 May 2026
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	In 1916 it became the [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]], to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous ''Koffiehuiskonserte''.		In 1916 it became the [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]], to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous ''Koffiehuiskonserte''.
		+
		+	'''For more information, see [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]].'''

	= The Playhouse, Durban =		= The Playhouse, Durban =

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 = The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town =
-The original name of De [[Hollandsche Kerk Zaal]] ("Dutch Church Hall"),  a church hall built on Kerkplein, Cape Town in 18** , was bought/rented by ** in 19** and renamed the [[Playhouse Theatre]]. In 1916 it became the [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]]. **
+The original name of De [[Hollandsche Kerk Zaal]] ("Dutch Church Hall"),  a church hall built on Kerkplein, Cape Town in 18** , was bought/rented by ** in 19** and renamed the [[Playhouse Theatre]].
-Originally built in 18** as the Hollandsche Kerk Zaal ("Dutch Church Hall") on Kerkplein ("Church Square"), it was bought/rented by ** and renamed The Playhouse Theatre in 19**. An intimate venue, it was described as "cool, well lit and comfortably furnished" in a review by the Burger of 4 October 1915, though Bosman (1928) differed later, calling it "utterly unsuitable".  It was used by local amateurs and professionals and performances include **, **, and  Ann by ** in 1915, ***** In 1916 it became the Afrikaanse Koffiehuis, to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous Koffiehuiskonserte .
 = The Playhouse, Durban =

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 * the renamed [[Natal Playhouse]] complex which incorporated the old [[Playhouse]] along with the [[Prince's Cinema]] and opened by NAPAC in 1986. Later renamed [[The Playhouse]] in 1995.
-For more information, the [[Natal Playhouse]], [[The Playhouse]] and [[William Mitheson Timlin]].
+'''For more information, the [[Natal Playhouse]].'''
 = The Playhouse Theatre, Johannesburg =

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 10 May 2026
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	Over several years, more improvements have been made to the theatre including the tarring of the parking lot, the interior redecorated, new signage and a host of other small things. The Society does not receive grants from anywhere and has to generate income from shows & hires to survive.		Over several years, more improvements have been made to the theatre including the tarring of the parking lot, the interior redecorated, new signage and a host of other small things. The Society does not receive grants from anywhere and has to generate income from shows & hires to survive.
		+
		+	'''For more information, see [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]].'''

	= [[The Playhouse]], East London =		= [[The Playhouse]], East London =

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 10 May 2026
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	= [[The Playhouse]], East London =		= [[The Playhouse]], East London =
−
−	~~Later known as '''[[The Alexander Playhouse]]''' it is a theatre venue in East London.~~

	==Founding, function and history==		==Founding, function and history==

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 Situated in Braamfontein, had its inaugural production in October 1960 was ''[[For Love or Money]]'', by [[Adam Leslie]]. [[Michael Finlayson]] directed this show starring Leslie himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[Olive King]], and comedian [[Garth Meade]]. [[Leonard Schach]]’s production of ''[[The Aspern Papers]]'' ran here after their season at the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]] in 1960. Michael Redgrave’s adaptation of this Henry James story saw the British actress [[Flora Robson]] in the lead opposite Canadian actor Robert Beatty. In December 1960 [[Leonard Schach]] announced he had signed a two-year lease with the Playhouse. Schach’s [[Cockpit Players]] maintained a high standard at the Playhouse in 1961 with Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Caretaker]]'' with [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]] and [[Nigel Hawthorne]], and Paddy Chayefsky’s prizewinning ''[[The Tenth Man]]'', starring the same actors. Schach did William Gibson’s ''[[The Miracle Worker]]'' here in 1961, starring [[Reinet Maasdorp]] and [[Fiona Fraser]]. Leonard Schach presented ''[[Beyond the Fringe]]'' here in 1962, starring New Zealand-born [[Kerry Jordan]] and [[David Beattie]]. Leonard Schach directed Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Birthday Party]]'', followed by Tennessee Williams’s ''[[The Night of the Iguana]]'' which was staged here by the [[Cockpit Players]] in 1962. In his company of actors for these plays were [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]], [[Margaret Inglis]], [[Marjorie Gordon]], [[Diane Wilson]] and [[Kerry Jordan]]. This saw the end of Schach’s lease of the Playhouse, and so the end of the [[Cockpit Players]]. The use of the Playhouse dwindled until it ceased to function as a theatre a year later. [[Leon Gluckman]] and [[Colin Fish]] presented Sir Donald and Lady Wolfit (the actress Rosalind Iden) in an evening of Shakespeare at the Playhouse in 1962. Wolfit and the producers replaced the programme with Ibsen’s ''[[The Master Builder]]'' when ticket sales dwindled. [[Brian Brooke]]’s ''[[Pyjama Tops]]'' was staged here in 1963. It starred [[Shirley Firth]] and [[John Hayter]]. **** (Tucker, 1997)
-== [[The Playhouse]], Somerset West ==
+= [[The Playhouse]], Somerset West =
 The [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]] ([[HHDS]]) established in 1947, opened '''The [[Playhouse]]''' on 26th May 1973. Designed by [[Harry Hargreaves]], the original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. The workshop was added at a later stage and then finally the Green room.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:04, 10 May 2026
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−	~~'''Playhouses and Playhouse Theatres'''~~
−
	Over the years a number of theatres and cinemas have used the term '''[[Playhouse]]''' or '''[[Playhouse Theatre]]''' as their name (or part of it).		Over the years a number of theatres and cinemas have used the term '''[[Playhouse]]''' or '''[[Playhouse Theatre]]''' as their name (or part of it).