Difference between revisions of "The Alexander Playhouse"

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==Founding, function and history==
 
==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 named The Playhouse, but was later re-named The Alexander Playhouse in (?) after the Society's long-time chair, Lynette Alexander.
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[[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 playhouse 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.
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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, the playhouse was used as the main venue in East London to keep the theatre vibe alive. It was at this point that the dinner/theatre concept was introduced by one of DRAMSOC’s founding members, Lynette Alexander (who the playhouse was later named after) and her daughter Michele. 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 revenue that was much needed for DRAMSOC was provided by Lynette’s December Showstopper productions which were sold out every year and money ploughed back into the venue – the playhouse was then able to improve on many things including an upgrade to the sound system, adding air conditioning, a dressing room, bathroom etc and increasing the size of the stage.
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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.  
  
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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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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]].
  
It was for the production of ‘Hairspray’ in December 2011 that the playhouse 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 Brandenburg.
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==Productions==
  
==Productions==
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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.
  
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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 ==
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== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==
  
Return to [[ESAT Venues W]]
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Return to [[ESAT Venues A]]
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]

Latest revision as of 14:51, 30 May 2024

The Alexander Playhouse is a theatre in East London.

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.

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 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.

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

'A history of East London’s theatres', ShowMe (online), 1 August 2019 (https://showme.co.za/east-london/events-entertainment/east-londons-theatres-and-their-history/)

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