Port Elizabeth Opera House - Revision history

Darryl: /* The Beginnings */

2024-11-23T12:39:08Z

The Beginnings

Darryl: /* The Beginnings */

2024-11-23T12:38:28Z

The Beginnings

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T21:02:13Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T21:01:45Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T21:00:01Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T20:59:36Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T20:57:39Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T20:57:12Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T20:56:00Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

Darryl: /* Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?) */

2024-08-15T20:55:36Z

Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) (1966 - 1996/1997?)

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 Other companies came along with popular plays and melodramas - [[East Lynne]], [[The Silver King]], [[Little Lord Fauntleroy]] and others. South Africa's first outstanding actor-manager, [[Leonard Rayne]], always included the [[Opera House]] on his tours. [[Charles Hawtrey]] produced the popular [[Charley's Aunt]]. In 1896 the shape of things to come was foreshadowed when the American entertainer, [[Owl Hertz]], included P.E.'s first cinematograph show in his programme. The outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War did not stop the flow of entertainments at the Opera House. The P.E.A.O.D.S. put on Gilbert & Sullivan operetta’s to raise money for various war funds, something which their successors, the P.E. Gilbert & Sullivan Society, were to repeat during the Second World War.
-In 1902, The [[D'Oyly Carte Opera Company]] came out from England to present a season of Gilbert & Sullivan, and the same year was the arrival of Wilson Barrett of [[The Sign of the Cross]] came. The first successful play by a modern South African playwright, [[Stephen Black]], - [[Helena's Rape]] ~ was put in 1909, and in the same year the [[Wheeler Brothers]] brought out the [[Gaiety Company]] to perform [[Our Miss Gibbs]]. As part of the celebrations for the founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910, the [[George Edwards Company]] put on [[The Dollar Princess]].
+In 1902, The [[D'Oyly Carte Opera Company]] came out from England to present a season of Gilbert & Sullivan, and the same year was the arrival of Wilson Barrett of [[The Sign of the Cross]] came. The first successful play by a modern South African playwright, [[Stephen Black]], - [[Helena's Hope]] ~ was put in 1909, and in the same year the [[Wheeler Brothers]] brought out the [[Gaiety Company]] to perform [[Our Miss Gibbs]]. As part of the celebrations for the founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910, the [[George Edwards Company]] put on [[The Dollar Princess]].
 Meanwhile cinema shows were becoming more frequent. "[[Wolfram's Bioscope]]" paid visits at regular intervals, and between the wars the number of cinema shows increased until by the end of the Second World War the theatre had become mainly a cinema with occasional live shows. Typical of his early film shows at the Opera House was the one on October 27, 1904, when he screened [[The Invasion of England]] "a graphic reproduction of the recent military and naval manoeuvres in the English Channel", [[The Motor Boat Race]] "between Dover and Calais,", [[The Great Fire at Toronto]], "The biggest conflagration in the history of Canada; 14 acres destroyed. Buildings dynamited, scenes of ruin and desolation".", [[A Drama in the Air]] "A terrible experience of two aeronaut's balloon encounters in a storm, struck by lightening and consumed by fire. The car and its occupants fall into the sea. A timely rescue."[[The International Congress of the Salvation Army]] while "General Booth reviews his soldiers, (black and white) men, women and children from all parts of the world, amidst the wildest enthusiasm," and [[Mrs Brown's Holiday Adventures]] "The most side-splitting comedy ever presented".

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 ===The Beginnings===
-The theatre was first leased to the [[Wheeler Brothers]], entrepreneurs who used to bring out overseas companies to perform in South Africa. The opening play was J. M. Barrie's (Peter Pan) “Walker London” (Published 1892) a highly successful comedy. From then on the theatre was well used by visiting companies and local societies. After the Wheeler Brothers' season, the theatre was taken over by the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society]] with a season of Gilbert & Sullivan - [[The Mikado]], [[The Pirates of Penzance]].
+The theatre was first leased to the [[Wheeler Brothers]], entrepreneurs who used to bring out overseas companies to perform in South Africa. The opening play was J. M. Barrie's (Peter Pan) ''[[Walker, London]]'' (Published 1892) a highly successful comedy. From then on the theatre was well used by visiting companies and local societies. After the Wheeler Brothers' season, the theatre was taken over by the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society]] with a season of Gilbert & Sullivan - [[The Mikado]], [[The Pirates of Penzance]].
 Other companies came along with popular plays and melodramas - [[East Lynne]], [[The Silver King]], [[Little Lord Fauntleroy]] and others. South Africa's first outstanding actor-manager, [[Leonard Rayne]], always included the [[Opera House]] on his tours. [[Charles Hawtrey]] produced the popular [[Charley's Aunt]]. In 1896 the shape of things to come was foreshadowed when the American entertainer, [[Owl Hertz]], included P.E.'s first cinematograph show in his programme. The outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War did not stop the flow of entertainments at the Opera House. The P.E.A.O.D.S. put on Gilbert & Sullivan operetta’s to raise money for various war funds, something which their successors, the P.E. Gilbert & Sullivan Society, were to repeat during the Second World War.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 In 1966, the Cape Provincial Administration bought the building, chiefly with the idea of using it as a venue for performances by the recently established [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] ([[CAPAB]]), but also making it available for professional and amateur companies. It was thoroughly renovated, the facilities improved and at a glittering function on 14th November, 1967, it was officially opened by the Hon. the Administrator of the Cape, Dr J. N. Malan, followed by a performance of ''[[Swan Lake]]'' by [[CAPAB]] Ballet.
-CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Cosi fan tutte]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
+CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Così Fan Tutte]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
 In 1969, [[Theatre Guild]] put on [[Romeo and Juliet]], starting the then local star, [[Alice Krige]]. [[Gilbert & Sullivan]] and [[Theatre Guild]], combined, were responsible for the productions [[The Student Prince]] and [[The Desert Song]], with [[Ge Korsten]] and [[Nellie du Toit]]. For the 1820 Settlers 150th Anniversary Festival, [[Twelfth Night]], with [[Leslie French]] and [[Bernard Brown]], was performed. In 1973 [[Helen Mann]] of the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] directed the production of [[Carmen]] with [[Ge Korsten]] in the leading male role and with Robert Selley as musical director.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 In 1966, the Cape Provincial Administration bought the building, chiefly with the idea of using it as a venue for performances by the recently established [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] ([[CAPAB]]), but also making it available for professional and amateur companies. It was thoroughly renovated, the facilities improved and at a glittering function on 14th November, 1967, it was officially opened by the Hon. the Administrator of the Cape, Dr J. N. Malan, followed by a performance of ''[[Swan Lake]]'' by [[CAPAB]] Ballet.
-CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Cosi fan Tutte]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
+CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Cosi fan tutte]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
 In 1969, [[Theatre Guild]] put on [[Romeo and Juliet]], starting the then local star, [[Alice Krige]]. [[Gilbert & Sullivan]] and [[Theatre Guild]], combined, were responsible for the productions [[The Student Prince]] and [[The Desert Song]], with [[Ge Korsten]] and [[Nellie du Toit]]. For the 1820 Settlers 150th Anniversary Festival, [[Twelfth Night]], with [[Leslie French]] and [[Bernard Brown]], was performed. In 1973 [[Helen Mann]] of the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] directed the production of [[Carmen]] with [[Ge Korsten]] in the leading male role and with Robert Selley as musical director.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 In 1966, the Cape Provincial Administration bought the building, chiefly with the idea of using it as a venue for performances by the recently established [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] ([[CAPAB]]), but also making it available for professional and amateur companies. It was thoroughly renovated, the facilities improved and at a glittering function on 14th November, 1967, it was officially opened by the Hon. the Administrator of the Cape, Dr J. N. Malan, followed by a performance of ''[[Swan Lake]]'' by [[CAPAB]] Ballet.
-CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Cosi fan Tutti]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
+CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with [[Bernard Brown]]), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with [[Leslie French]]), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and ''[[Mr Rhodes and the Princess]]'' (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as ''[[Cosi fan Tutte]]'', and ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''.
 In 1969, [[Theatre Guild]] put on [[Romeo and Juliet]], starting the then local star, [[Alice Krige]]. [[Gilbert & Sullivan]] and [[Theatre Guild]], combined, were responsible for the productions [[The Student Prince]] and [[The Desert Song]], with [[Ge Korsten]] and [[Nellie du Toit]]. For the 1820 Settlers 150th Anniversary Festival, [[Twelfth Night]], with [[Leslie French]] and [[Bernard Brown]], was performed. In 1973 [[Helen Mann]] of the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] directed the production of [[Carmen]] with [[Ge Korsten]] in the leading male role and with Robert Selley as musical director.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 In 1966, the Cape Provincial Administration bought the building, chiefly with the idea of using it as a venue for performances by the recently established [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] ([[CAPAB]]), but also making it available for professional and amateur companies. It was thoroughly renovated, the facilities improved and at a glittering function on 14th November, 1967, it was officially opened by the Hon. the Administrator of the Cape, Dr J. N. Malan, followed by a performance of ''[[Swan Lake]]'' by [[CAPAB]] Ballet.
-CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with Bernard Brown), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with Leslie French), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of being Ernest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and Mr Rhodes and the Princess (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as Cosifan tune, and [[The Marriage of Figaro]].
+CAPAB has presented many fine productions since the Opera House became a civic theatre. Remembered are ''[[Candida]]'', ''[[The Chalk Garden]]'', ''[[The Lion in Winter]]'', ''[[The Cherry Orchard]]'' (with Bernard Brown), ''[[The Way of the World]]'' (with Leslie French), ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[A Collier's Friday Night]]'', ''[[Hadrian VII]]'', ''[[The Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Arms and the Man]]'', and Mr Rhodes and the Princess (by [[Theo Aronson]], who regard almost as a "local" writer). Both classical and modern ballets were performed. Music was not been neglected. Overseas artists, and although the stage is not really large enough for operatic productions, The Opera House had a taste of operatic selections and the more easily staged operas such as Cosifan tune, and [[The Marriage of Figaro]].
 In 1969, [[Theatre Guild]] (East London) put on [[Romeo and Juliet]], starting the then local star, [[Alice Krige]]. [[Gilbert & Sullivan]] and [[Theatre Guild]], combined, were responsible for the productions [[The Student Prince]] and [[The Desert Song]], with [[Ge Korsten]] and [[Nellie du Toit]]. For the 1820 Settlers 150th Anniversary Festival, [[Twelfth Night]], with [[Leslie French]] and [[Bernard Brown]], was performed. In 1973 [[Helen Mann]] of the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] directed the production of [[Carmen]] with [[Ge Korsten]] in the leading male role and with Robert Selley as musical director.