Difference between revisions of "Bio-vaudeville"

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A [[Bio-vaudeville houses|Bio-vaudeville house]] was a venue utilised in South Africa for the showing of [[Bioscope|bioscope]]  films and for [[music hall]] and [[vaudeville]] performances.  
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A [[Bio-vaudeville houses|Bio-vaudeville house]] was a venue utilised in South Africa for the showing of [[Bioscope|bioscope]]  films and for [[music hall]] and [[vaudeville]] performances.
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'''See also [[Music hall]] and [[Bioscope]]'''
  
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
  
The introduction of movies as an entertainment form led to the conversion of many theatres to enable them to host both stage performances as well as films.  
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The introduction of movies as an entertainment form led to the conversion of many theatres to enable them to host both stage performances as well as films. Examples include the [[Grand Theatre]] , Bloemfontein (1906).
  
 
In the early years of silent movies, films shows often formed part of a longer evening's entertainment, often preceded by [[variety]] style performances as well as being accompanied by music.  Gradually a specific combined form of entertainment evolved, a form known as '''[[Bio-vaudeville]]''' or '''[[Bio-variety]]'''in South Africa, since movie houses were known there as '''[[bioscope]]s'''. The practice lasted in some form or other into the 1960s.  
 
In the early years of silent movies, films shows often formed part of a longer evening's entertainment, often preceded by [[variety]] style performances as well as being accompanied by music.  Gradually a specific combined form of entertainment evolved, a form known as '''[[Bio-vaudeville]]''' or '''[[Bio-variety]]'''in South Africa, since movie houses were known there as '''[[bioscope]]s'''. The practice lasted in some form or other into the 1960s.  
  
In view of this development, the early 20th century soon saw the construction of custom-built [[Bio-vaudeville]] houses to present such variety shows. Examples include  [[The Criterion]], 1912, Durban;  [[The Palladium]], 1913, Johannesburg, [[The Grand]] , Bloemfontein.
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In view of this development, the early 20th century soon saw not only the adaptation of existing theatres, but also the construction of new, custom-built venues to serve as [[Bio-vaudeville]] houses and present such variety shows. Examples include  [[The Criterion]], 1912, Durban;  [[The Palladium]], 1913, Johannesburg,  
 
 
'''See also [[Bio-vaudeville]]'''
 
 
 
 
 
Specifically built in the early 20th century  to present both films and [[variety]] acts within the same programme.
 
 
Examples include the custom-built [[Criterion]] in Durban (opened 1912), and [[Palladium]],  Johannesburg (opened 1913).
 
 
 
 
 
A [[Bio-vaudeville]] programme usually consisted of live entertainment preceding the film.
 
 
 
  
 
Late examples of [[Bio-vaudeville|bio-vaudeville]] include [[Basil Rubin]]'s [[Pinewood Cinema]] where [[Pieter Toerien]] became involved in offering  [[Bio-vaudeville]] programmes from 1963 onwards.  
 
Late examples of [[Bio-vaudeville|bio-vaudeville]] include [[Basil Rubin]]'s [[Pinewood Cinema]] where [[Pieter Toerien]] became involved in offering  [[Bio-vaudeville]] programmes from 1963 onwards.  
  
'''See also [[Music hall]]'''.
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
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== For more information ==
 
== For more information ==
  
See [[Music hall]] and [[Bioscope]]  
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'''See [[Film]] and [[Music hall]]'''
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 07:01, 13 May 2022

A Bio-vaudeville house was a venue utilised in South Africa for the showing of bioscope films and for music hall and vaudeville performances.

See also Music hall and Bioscope

Background

The introduction of movies as an entertainment form led to the conversion of many theatres to enable them to host both stage performances as well as films. Examples include the Grand Theatre , Bloemfontein (1906).

In the early years of silent movies, films shows often formed part of a longer evening's entertainment, often preceded by variety style performances as well as being accompanied by music. Gradually a specific combined form of entertainment evolved, a form known as Bio-vaudeville or Bio-varietyin South Africa, since movie houses were known there as bioscopes. The practice lasted in some form or other into the 1960s.

In view of this development, the early 20th century soon saw not only the adaptation of existing theatres, but also the construction of new, custom-built venues to serve as Bio-vaudeville houses and present such variety shows. Examples include The Criterion, 1912, Durban; The Palladium, 1913, Johannesburg,

Late examples of bio-vaudeville include Basil Rubin's Pinewood Cinema where Pieter Toerien became involved in offering Bio-vaudeville programmes from 1963 onwards.


Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997.

For more information

See Film and Music hall

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