The African Theatre - Revision history

Ivor: /* The origins of the theatre */

2026-06-17T14:06:20Z

The origins of the theatre

Ivor: /* Sources */

2026-06-17T13:58:45Z

Sources

Ivor: /* The origins of the theatre */

2026-06-17T13:52:38Z

The origins of the theatre

Satj: /* The origins of the theatre */

2024-05-04T04:46:24Z

The origins of the theatre

Satj at 04:38, 4 May 2024

2024-05-04T04:38:29Z

Satj: /* The end of the theatre and the mergence of St Stephen's Church */

2024-05-04T04:34:15Z

The end of the theatre and the mergence of St Stephen's Church

Satj: /* The theatre becomes a place of worship: The emergence of St Stephen's Church */

2024-05-04T04:34:03Z

The theatre becomes a place of worship: The emergence of St Stephen's Church

Satj: /* The origins of the theatre */

2024-05-04T04:32:55Z

The origins of the theatre

Satj: /* The origins of the theatre */

2024-05-03T08:29:14Z

The origins of the theatre

Satj: /* The origins of the theatre */

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The origins of the theatre

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 17 June 2026
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	According to a report by Lady [[Anne Barnard]] on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by [[Mrs Somers]] and spoken by [[Dr Somers]], followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done". The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with [[Dr Somers]], [[John Pringle]] and most probably the original petitioners ([[Henry Murphy]] and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]]. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the [[Dutch]], the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: [[German Theatre in South Africa]])		According to a report by Lady [[Anne Barnard]] on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by [[Mrs Somers]] and spoken by [[Dr Somers]], followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done". The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with [[Dr Somers]], [[John Pringle]] and most probably the original petitioners ([[Henry Murphy]] and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]]. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the [[Dutch]], the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: [[German Theatre in South Africa]])
		+
		+	[[Lord Charles Somerset]], who succeeded Sir George Younge as Governor, had a box at [[The African Theatre]] and he and his lady were regular patrons.

	For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" - in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).		For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" - in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 17 June 2026
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	L.G. Latsky. 1992. "St Stephen's" In: ''Levensessens. P.S. Latsky: 'n Biografie'' (Privately published)		L.G. Latsky. 1992. "St Stephen's" In: ''Levensessens. P.S. Latsky: 'n Biografie'' (Privately published)
		+
		+	''[[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] - The First Hundred Years'' by [[Eric Atwell]]. Published by [[CAPAB]].CTP Book Printers, Cape.

	Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]		Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

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 == The origins of the theatre==
-The idea of a purpose built theatre for Cape Town became prominent toward the end of the 18th century, and was strongly supported by various prominent officers and amateur performers of the British Garrison in the colony. It became a reality when a number of officers and citizens, led by one [[Henry Murphy]], submitted a request to found an English/Dutch Private Theatre by subscription in Cape Town to the mew Governor, [[Sir George Yonge]]. Yonge, inspired by a successful performance of Samuel Foote's ''[[Taste]]'' in a temporarily fitted up venue - referred to as the [[Sea-line]] - in the Military Hospital, Cape Town in May 1800, responded by making the building of a theatre for Cape Town his personal project.  To this end Yonge appropriated a portion of the [[Boerenplein]] ("Farmer's Square", also known as [[Hottentot's Square]] or [[Van Riebeeck Square]]) in 1799 and donated a section of it to 24 shareholders, for the building of a theatre in 1800.
+The idea of a purpose built theatre for Cape Town became prominent toward the end of the 18th century, and was strongly supported by various prominent officers and amateur performers of the British Garrison in the colony. It became a reality when a number of officers and citizens, led by one [[Henry Murphy]], submitted a request to found an English/Dutch Private Theatre by subscription in Cape Town to the new Governor, [[Sir George Yonge]]. Yonge, inspired by a successful performance of Samuel Foote's ''[[Taste]]'' in a temporarily fitted up venue - referred to as the [[Sea-line]] - in the Military Hospital, Cape Town in May 1800, responded by making the building of a theatre for Cape Town his personal project.  To this end Yonge appropriated a portion of the [[Boerenplein]] ("Farmer's Square", also known as [[Hottentot's Square]] or [[Van Riebeeck Square]]) in 1799 and donated a section of it to 24 shareholders, for the building of a theatre in 1800.
 The intention was that it would operate on a subscription-only basis and be run as a charitable venture by a committee of 24 the shareholders, with Yonge himself being one. In line with the British policy at the time (i.e. to win the support of the [[Dutch]]), the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and [[Dutch]], and the plan was to alternate plays in English and [[Dutch]].
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 The original share-holders  were Sir [[George Yonge]], Lt. Col. [[James Cockburn]], Major [[Birkenhead Glegg]], [[Edmund Summers]], [[Oloff Berg]], [[Jos. Bray]], [[Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld]], [[Henry Erskine]], [[John Pringle]], [[Richard Blake]], [[Joh. Zorn]], [[John Grulsbone]], [[Price Tucker]], [[Thomas Wittenoom]], [[Haines Wade Battersby]], [[James Lourie]], [[John Elmslie]], [[Alexander Macdonald]], [[Simon Tufts]], and [[Alex. Tennant]]. The first treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]].
-The building itself was designed by the extravagant Governor  [[Sir George Yonge]] himself and largely funded by him as well. At street level there was provision for a number of shops, workshops and even storerooms. Above these was the theatre itself. The walls were of Table Mountain sandstone, rough-dressed and bonded in clay, but the upper courses of the walls were of stone mixed, with half-burnt bricks and plastered over. The exterior was distinguished by a low pitched roof, buttresses surmounted by urns, a row of oval windows and a covered colonnade of four columns reached by two gracious stairways (which were demolished in 1824). It originally had no pit, only a balcony and richly ornamented boxes. However this soon changed as a pit was added in 1804. There was no foyer, and the stage was small, with two doors and dressingrooms behind.
+The building itself was designed by the extravagant Governor  [[Sir George Yonge]] himself and largely funded by him as well. At street level there was provision for a number of shops, workshops and even storerooms. Above these was the theatre itself. The walls were of Table Mountain sandstone, rough-dressed and bonded in clay, but the upper courses of the walls were of stone mixed, with half-burnt bricks and plastered over. The exterior was distinguished by a low pitched roof, buttresses surmounted by urns, a row of oval windows and a covered colonnade of four columns reached by two gracious stairways (which were demolished in 1824). It originally had no pit, only a balcony and richly ornamented boxes. However this soon changed as a pit was added in 1804. There was no foyer, and the stage was small, with two doors and dressing rooms behind.
 Yonge had pushed through the project in the face of much criticism and opposition, but on the eve of its opening on 17 November 1800 (with a performance of a Shakespeare play), a Commission of Inquiry into [[Sir George Yonge]]'s affairs led to his subsequent recall to England, which meant it all had to be postponed. Thus the theatre only opened its doors during early September 1801, with the first production only taking place in October 1801 with Shakespeare’s [[Henry IV]] pt. 1 - a performance which ran for a week.
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 For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" -  in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).
 ==The end of the theatre and the emergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==

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 According to a report by  Lady [[Anne Barnard]] on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by [[Mrs Somers]]  and spoken by [[Dr Somers]], followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done".   The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with [[Dr Somers]], [[John Pringle]] and most probably the original petitioners ([[Henry Murphy]] and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]]. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the [[Dutch]], the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: [[German Theatre in South Africa]])
 For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" -  in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).
 ==The end of the theatre and the emergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==

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 This took place to the disgust of the citizenry, who stoned the building during one Sunday service. Hence the current name: [[St Stephen's Church]], a name first noted from 1847 onwards.  (It is in fact believed to be the only Dutch Reformed Church that bears the name of a Saint.)
-Fortunately the church has retained the building pretty much as it was after 1824,  for the stage is still there, and the dressing rooms have become the vestry. Even the shops below are still in use. Nothing of course has remained of its elegant interior. However over the years the incumbent the church leaders, among them Rev P.S. Latsky (who served for over 33 years), have done much to preserve and emphasize the unique history of the historic theatre/church.
+Fortunately the church has retained the building pretty much as it was after 1824,  for the stage is still there, and the dressing rooms have become the vestry. Even the shops below are still in use. Nothing of course has remained of its elegant interior. However over the years the incumbent the church leaders, among them Rev P.S. Latsky (who served for over 33 years, 1930-1955 and again 1961-1968), have done much to preserve and emphasize the unique history of the historic theatre/church.
 In the late 1980s it was once more used for performances on occasion, in order to raise funds for the restoration of the church building.  For example [[Jonathan Pienaar]] did a performance of [[Ian Fraser]]'s ''[[Story of an African Chicken]]'' in May 1989. This initiative would become a more concerted effort, led by [[Die Burger]], a Cape Town [[Afrikaans]] newspaper, which in 2002-2003 set about raising the funds for a full restoration of the building, with the help of the artistic community in the city. A key figure here was the journalist [[Martiens van Bart]]. By 2010 the warehouses and shops below the theatre were again being used commercially, as was the theatre itself.  [TH, JH]

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 For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" -  in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).
-==The end of the theatre and the mergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==
+==The end of the theatre and the emergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==
 In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr Adamson of the Presbyterian Church and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church founded a congregation for freed slaves.  At the same time, in the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape, the theatre was put up for sale and was eventually sold to the congregation in March 1839, who set about using it as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:32, 4 May 2024
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	For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" - in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).		For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" - in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).
		+
		+	==The theatre becomes a place of worship: The emergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==

	In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr Adamson of the Presbyterian Church and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church founded a congregation for freed slaves. At the same time, in the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape, the theatre was put up for sale and was eventually sold to the congregation in March 1839, who set about using it as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays.		In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr Adamson of the Presbyterian Church and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church founded a congregation for freed slaves. At the same time, in the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape, the theatre was put up for sale and was eventually sold to the congregation in March 1839, who set about using it as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays.