The Alexander Playhouse - Revision history

Darryl at 20:14, 10 May 2026

2026-05-10T20:14:03Z

Darryl: /* Productions */

2026-05-10T20:12:55Z

Productions

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2026-05-10T20:12:38Z

Founding, function and history

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2024-05-30T12:51:01Z

Founding, function and history

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2024-04-24T11:44:50Z

Founding, function and history

Darryl: /* Return to */

2023-07-29T17:58:08Z

Return to

Darryl at 15:49, 29 July 2023

2023-07-29T15:49:51Z

Darryl: /* Productions */

2023-07-29T15:48:31Z

Productions

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2023-07-29T15:43:00Z

Founding, function and history

Darryl: /* Founding, function and history */

2023-07-29T15:42:46Z

Founding, function and history

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 ==Founding, function and history==
-[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 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.
+[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963, eleven years after DRAMSOC was founded. It was designed by architect Mr [[Bennie Shapiro]]. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]].
-'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''
+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.
 == Sources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 10 May 2026
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	'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''		'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''
−
−	~~==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 ==

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==Founding, function and history==
-[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963, eleven years after DRAMSOC was founded. It was designed by architect Mr [[Bennie Shapiro]]. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]].
+[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 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.
-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.
+'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''
 ==Productions==

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==Founding, function and history==
-[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963, eleven years after DRAMSOC was founded. It was designed by architect Mr [[Bennie Shapiro]]. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in (?) after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]].
+[[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963, eleven years after DRAMSOC was founded. It was designed by architect Mr [[Bennie Shapiro]]. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 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.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 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.
+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.
 The revenue that was much needed for DRAMSOC was provided by the series of ''[[Showstoppers]]'' productions  - the first of which was presented in the theatre in 1987. The venue was then able to improve on many things including an upgrade to the sound system, adding air conditioning, a dressing room, bathroom and increasing the size of the stage.

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 == Return to ==
-Return to [[ESAT Venues W]]
+Return to [[ESAT Venues A]]
 Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]

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 ==Productions==
-Aside from the popular ''[[Showstoppers]]'' productions, the playhouse has staged many different types of shows including the major musicals ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]]'', ''[[Grease]]'' and ''[[Hairspray]]'', Valentine cabarets, full scale drama and comedy productions, Shakespeare, candlelight and staged play readings.
+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.
-Out of town performers were brought in around this time and some of the first shows staged at the playhouse 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 include [[Kevin Feather]], [[Elzabe Zietsman]] and [[Casper de  Vries]].
+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 ==

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 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.
-The revenue that was much needed for DRAMSOC was provided by the series of''[[Showstoppers]]'' productions  - the first of which was presented in the theatre in 1987. The venue was then able to improve on many things including an upgrade to the sound system, adding air conditioning, a dressing room, bathroom and increasing the size of the stage.
+The revenue that was much needed for DRAMSOC was provided by the series of ''[[Showstoppers]]'' productions  - the first of which was presented in the theatre in 1987. The venue was then able to improve on many things including an upgrade to the sound system, adding air conditioning, a dressing room, bathroom and increasing the size of the stage.
 It was 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]].