Difference between revisions of "The Children's Theatre"
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1956: ''[[Mango Leaf Magic]]'', ''[[Pinocchio]]'' | 1956: ''[[Mango Leaf Magic]]'', ''[[Pinocchio]]'' | ||
| − | 1957: | + | 1957: ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'', ''[[Peter Pan]]'' |
| − | + | 1958: An evening of readings by actor and academic [[David Horner]]. | |
| − | + | 1959: ''[[The Glass Slipper]]'' (in conjunction with the [[NTO]] and the [[Reps]]) | |
| − | |||
| − | 1959: | ||
1961: Anthony Farmer did ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'', Children’s Theatre’s only production for 1961. | 1961: Anthony Farmer did ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'', Children’s Theatre’s only production for 1961. | ||
Revision as of 17:46, 6 May 2026
The Children's Theatre was a Johannesburg based company founded in 1943 by Celia Evans and Mary Tilley, and operational until 1965.
Not to be confused with Joyce Levinsohn's Children's Theatre Productions (run 1976 - 1990).
History
Celia Evans, a devotee of the active Children’s Theatre in Britain, started The Children's Theatre in 1943 in Johannesburg. Initially there were 20 members, who met every 2 months to control and direct the policy and finances of the organisation. It was registered as a company in 1945.
A couple of early devotees dedicated to the pursuit of children’s theatre were: Prof. TJ Haarhoff, Prof. T Williams, Philip Birkinshaw, John Duthie, H A Jack & miss Lea Zidel.
Well-known theatre personalities directed and produced for the company, including Bruce Anderson, John Hayter, Anthony Farmer and Hugh Goldie.
Financial problems led to the demise of the Children’s Theatre.
Productions
1949: The Snow Queen
1950: Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure
1951: Richard of Bordeaux
1953: As You Like It, Treasure Island, Beauty and the Beast, Hansie en Grietjie
1954: The Tempest, The Three Wishes
1955: The Taming of the Shrew
1956: Mango Leaf Magic, Pinocchio
1957: The Merchant of Venice, Peter Pan
1958: An evening of readings by actor and academic David Horner.
1959: The Glass Slipper (in conjunction with the NTO and the Reps)
1961: Anthony Farmer did Beauty and the Beast, Children’s Theatre’s only production for 1961.
1962: They did James Ambrose Brown’s Amelia’s African Adventure in 1962.
1964: They staged an open air production for the 1964 Johannesburg Festival with Robert Langford’s production of Treasure Island at the Zoo Lake. The Everyman Players’ performance of Arthur Fauquez’s adaptation of Reynard the Fox was presented by Taubie Kushlick as a gala to raise funds for Children’s Theatre in 1964.
1965: Taubie Kushlick produced The Wizard of Oz for Children’s Theatre, contracting Des Lindberg to write extra music and lyrics, and Dawn Silver for choreography. Keith Blundell was the musical director, Nina Campbell-Quine did décor, while Heather MacDonald Rouse did costumes. It was staged at the University Great Hall in 1965. The enormous financial losses incurred signalled the dissolution of the organisation.
1965: In July 1965 they staged James Ambrose-Brown’s The Three Wishes at the Library Theatre which proved to be their last production.
1965: Peter Pan & The Wizard of Oz 1965 by Taubie Kushlik; Thereafter a season of performances by the John Wright Marionette Company. Finale was a presentation by Anthony Farmer – Peter Pan.
Dates unknown:
Dragon’s Daughter by Myrrha Bantock.
Productions by a later company
1984: They staged Jack and the Beanstalk starring Sue Kelly Christie, Michael Brunner, Drummond Marais and Kevin Feather at the Intimate in July 1984 (Tucker, 1997)
Sources
A brochure on the Children's Theatre, South Africa, founded by Celia Evans in 1943 held by NELM: [Collection: FARMER, Anthony]: 2007. 18. 5. 33.
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