Theatre Guild - Revision history

Ivor: /* Sources */

2026-06-11T13:47:45Z

Sources

Ivor: /* The 1960 narrative: */

2026-06-11T13:36:53Z

The 1960 narrative:

Darryl: /* Note: */

2024-08-16T08:45:24Z

Note:

Darryl: /* Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth */

2024-08-16T08:44:07Z

Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth

Darryl: /* Productions produced by the Theatre Guild: */

2024-08-16T08:20:30Z

Productions produced by the Theatre Guild:

Darryl: /* Productions staged jointly by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society: */

2024-08-16T08:19:59Z

Productions staged jointly by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society:

Darryl: /* Productions staged with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society: */

2024-08-16T08:18:57Z

Productions staged with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society:

Darryl: /* Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth */

2024-08-16T08:18:10Z

Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth

Darryl: /* Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth */

2024-08-16T07:51:33Z

Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth

Darryl: /* The Amateur Theatre Guild (1960-1963)/ The Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild (1962-1972) */

2024-08-15T20:46:44Z

The Amateur Theatre Guild (1960-1963)/ The Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild (1962-1972)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:47, 11 June 2026
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	[[Eastern Province Herald]] April 20, April 17, 1963.		[[Eastern Province Herald]] April 20, April 17, 1963.
		+
		+	[[Lantern]] magazine, December 1970, "''Shakespeare In Port Elizabeth''" by [[Alfred Porter]].

	[[Percy Tucker]], 1997		[[Percy Tucker]], 1997

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 By August 1962, the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was calling itself the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
-From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the [[Red Cross]], the [[Hellenic Community]], the [[University of Port Elizabeth]] and [[The Company of Four]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing joint productions. From 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] began to operate independently, with the two organisations ([[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] and [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]) essentially absorbing the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
+The [[Theatre Guild]] first ventured into Shakespeare in 1963 when [[Will Jamieson]] was invited to produce [[Hamlet]]. [[Jim Shorrock]] gave a fine performance as the Prince, and even earned commendation in a British theatre magazine whose editor happened to be in Port Elizabeth at the time. [[John Hamber]] portrayed Polonius.
 ===Productions staged by the [[Theatre Guild]]:===

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 ===Note:===
-Some sources suggest the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by cast members of ''[[King Lear]]'', but there is evidence of productions being presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] in the 1950s. According to the March 1985, edition of ''[[Scenaria]]'' magazine (Issue no 50) and Wright and Gubb's article in ''Shakespeare in Southem Africa'', [[The Company of Four]] assumed the name of the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] from 1951 till 1958 when it became the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].]
+Some sources suggest the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by cast members of ''[[King Lear]]'', but there is evidence of productions being presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] in the 1950s. According to the March 1985, edition of ''[[Scenaria]]'' magazine (Issue no 50) and Wright and Gubb's article in ''Shakespeare in Southem Africa'', [[The Company of Four]] assumed the name of the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] from 1951 till 1958 when it became the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
-One source has Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members include [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Will Jamieson]], [[Gladys Baynes]], [[Helen Wilkins]] and [[Noel Cudmore]].
+One source has Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members include [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Will Jamieson]], [[Gladys Baynes]], [[Helen Wilkins]] and [[Noel Cudmore]]. Another suggests founding "members" include  [[Christine Roberts]], [[George Jones]], [[Jill Shepherd]], [[Alan Williams]], and [[David Hemmings]].
 ===The 1960 narrative:===

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 == [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth  ==
-The [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions, often on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the [[Theatre Guild]], the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild]], and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]]. [Some sources suggest the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by cast members of ''[[King Lear]]'', but there is evidence of productions being presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] in the 1950s.]
+The [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions, often on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the [[Theatre Guild]], the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild]], and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
-Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members included [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Will Jamieson]], [[Gladys Baynes]], [[Helen Wilkins]] and [[Noel Cudmore]].
+===Note:===
 Port Elizabeth's [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by [[Helen Mann]], [[Bruce Mann]] and other members of the cast of ''[[King Lear]]'' which was produced at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] in that year. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name [[Amateur Theatre Guild]].
@@ Line 28: / Line 35: @@
 During their first year they produced ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]'', ''[[Tea and Sympathy]]'', and ''[[The Lark]]''. Hundreds of people were unable to see ''[[The Lark]]'' because the season, fully booked, could not be extended as no other suitable venue could be found. These four productions raised well over R4 000-00 for various charities.
-Founding "members" included  [[Christine Roberts]], [[George Jones]], [[Jill Shepherd]], [[Alan Williams]], and [[David Hemmings]]. The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.
+The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.
 By August 1962, the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was calling itself the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
@@ Line 93: / Line 100: @@
 No further productions were staged under the name of the [[Theatre Guild]] after this.
 = Sources =

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the [[Red Cross]], the [[Hellenic Community]], the [[University of Port Elizabeth]] and [[The Company of Four]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing joint productions. From 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] began to operate independently, with the two organisations ([[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] and [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]) essentially absorbing the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
-===Productions produced by the [[Theatre Guild]]:===
+===Productions staged by the [[Theatre Guild]]:===
 : ''[[A Phoenix Too Frequent]]'' for [[The Company of Four]].

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 ===Productions staged jointly by the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]:===
-: ''[[The Mikado]]'', (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[The Mikado]]''
-: ''[[Oklahoma!]]'', (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[Oklahoma!]]''
-: ''[[The King and I]]'' (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[The King and I]]''
-: ''[[Brigadoon]]'' (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[Brigadoon]]''
-: ''[[The Student Prince]]'' '(with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[The Student Prince]]''
-: ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (presented with [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]), directed by [[Helen Mann]], with [[Edith Porter]], [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Colin Stevens]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Alice Krige]].
+: ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', directed by [[Helen Mann]], with [[Edith Porter]], [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Colin Stevens]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Alice Krige]].
-: ''[[The Desert Song]]'' (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
+: ''[[The Desert Song]]''
-: ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' (presented with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]), directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
+: ''[[Twelfth Night]]'', directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
-: ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' (for the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].) Directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
+: ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'', directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
 : ''[[Everyman]]''

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 : ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[University of Port Elizabeth]]. Directed by [[Margaret Inglis]]. Starring [[John Hambler]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Clive Selley]], [[Derek Scarr]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Gordon Roberts]].
-===Productions staged with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]:===
+===Productions staged jointly by the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]:===
 : ''[[The Mikado]]'', (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 == [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth  ==
-The [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the [[Theatre Guild]], the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild]], and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
+The [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions, often on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the [[Theatre Guild]], the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild]], and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]]. [Some sources suggest the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by cast members of ''[[King Lear]]'', but there is evidence of productions being presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] in the 1950s.]
 Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members included [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Will Jamieson]], [[Gladys Baynes]], [[Helen Wilkins]] and [[Noel Cudmore]].
-Productions produced by the [[Theatre Guild]]:
+Port Elizabeth's [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by [[Helen Mann]], [[Bruce Mann]] and other members of the cast of ''[[King Lear]]'' which was produced at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] in that year. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name [[Amateur Theatre Guild]].
 : ''[[A Phoenix Too Frequent]]'' for [[The Company of Four]].
@@ Line 41: / Line 51: @@
 : ''[[Dial M for Murder]]'' for [[The Company of Four]].
 : ''[[King Lear]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[Red Cross]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]], with [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Gordon Roberts]], [[Lorna Levenson]], [[Paddye Bunce]].
-: ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]''
+: ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]''  for the [[Juvenile Guidance Committee]]
 :  ''[[The Lark]]'', ''[[Tea and Sympathy]]''
@@ Line 65: / Line 62: @@
 : ''[[The Queen and the Rebels]]''
-: ''[[Hamlet]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[Red Cross]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]]. Starring: [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Helen Wilkins]], [[Philip Jackson]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Jim Shorrock]].
+: ''[[Hamlet]]'', presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] for the [[Red Cross]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]]. Starring: [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Helen Wilkins]], [[Philip Jackson]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Jim Shorrock]].
 : ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[Hellenic Community]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]]. Starring [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Helen Wilkins]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], and [[Gordon Roberts]].
@@ Line 72: / Line 69: @@
 : ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[University of Port Elizabeth]]. Directed by [[Margaret Inglis]]. Starring [[John Hambler]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Clive Selley]], [[Derek Scarr]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Gordon Roberts]].
 : ''[[The Mikado]]'', (with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]].)
@@ Line 92: / Line 91: @@
 : ''[[Everyman]]''
 ===Note:===

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 By August 1962, the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was calling itself the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
-From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the [[Red Cross]], the [[Hellenic Community]], the [[University of Port Elizabeth]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing joint productions. From 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] began to operate independently, with the two organisations ([[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] and [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]) essentially absorbing the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
+From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the [[Red Cross]], the [[Hellenic Community]], the [[University of Port Elizabeth]] and [[The Company of Four]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing joint productions. From 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] began to operate independently, with the two organisations ([[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] and [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]) essentially absorbing the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
 [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] productions: