Difference between revisions of "Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society"
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| − | + | '''The Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society''' ('''HHDS''') is an amateur dramatic society based in Somerset West [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerset_West] near Cape Town. | |
== Founding and early history == | == Founding and early history == | ||
| − | The first Operatic and Dramatic Society started performing in the Somerset West Courthouse over 120 years ago. However the Society as we know it was reconstructed after World War II | + | The first Operatic and Dramatic Society started performing in the Somerset West Courthouse over 120 years ago. However the Society as we know it was reconstructed after World War II in 1948 by Mrs. Cornish-Bowden. |
| − | At that time the venue was the Old Masonic Hall. It had a flat floor with a 10ft deep platform at one end. For a show, the hall was rented from Saturday through to the following Sunday. The first weekend was spent adding a 5ft. apron to the stage, creating a proscenium arch with material, dressing the set, and then final dress rehearsals were held prior to going on stage for four nights. The lighting box was a Heath Robinson affair which often glowed red hot. It was an exhausting week but lots of fun and some really good shows were staged. | + | At that time the venue was the [[Old Masonic Hall]]. It had a flat floor with a 10ft deep platform at one end. For a show, the hall was rented from Saturday through to the following Sunday. The first weekend was spent adding a 5ft. apron to the stage, creating a proscenium arch with material, dressing the set, and then final dress rehearsals were held prior to going on stage for four nights. The lighting box was a Heath Robinson affair which often glowed red hot. It was an exhausting week but lots of fun and some really good shows were staged. |
| − | When was the Masonic Hall was pulled down, the | + | When was the Masonic Hall was pulled down, the [[Somerset West Town Hall]] was used. |
| − | On the 26th May 1973, [[The Playhouse]] opened. The original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. Later the workshop was added and then finally the Green Room. All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and our reputation as one of the leading societies in the Peninsula was established. | + | ==[[The Playhouse]]== |
| + | |||
| + | To survive it was decided that the Society should have a permanent home. Thanks to the efforts of Harold Wilson, Donald Munro and Claude Clegg, a loan was secured from the Municipality, a price negotiated, and they obtained the land and permission to build. [[Harry Hargreaves]] designed the theatre, and thanks to him we now have one of the best venues available on the peninsula. Companies and people were marvellous, the project receiving all sorts of donations and lots of the building and other materials at real bargain prices. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the 26th May 1973, [[The Playhouse]] opened and since then most of their productions have been staged in this venue. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. Later the workshop was added and then finally the Green Room. All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and our reputation as one of the leading societies in the Peninsula was established. | ||
It must be kept in mind that we are an Amateur Society. However we must never forget that the only real difference between Amateurs & Professionals is that we don’t get paid. A standard has been set by our predecessors which we must maintain & enhance. | It must be kept in mind that we are an Amateur Society. However we must never forget that the only real difference between Amateurs & Professionals is that we don’t get paid. A standard has been set by our predecessors which we must maintain & enhance. | ||
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([[Lindsay Small]] (Chairman), May 2014) | ([[Lindsay Small]] (Chairman), May 2014) | ||
| − | == | + | ==Productions== |
| − | + | 1978: ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' | |
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| − | + | 1986: ''[[Bugsy Malone]]'', ''[[Jack and the Beanstalk]]'' | |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| − | A brief summary of "Our History" by Lindsay Small (Chairman), May 2014. | + | A brief summary of "Our History" by [[Lindsay Small]] (Chairman), May 2014. |
| + | The [[Playhouse Theatre]] website [http://theplayhouse.org.za/] | ||
| + | [[Walter Greyvenstein|Greyvenstein, Walter]] 1988. ''The history and development of children's theatre in English in South Africa''. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University. | ||
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]] | Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:16, 28 May 2026
The Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society (HHDS) is an amateur dramatic society based in Somerset West [1] near Cape Town.
Founding and early history
The first Operatic and Dramatic Society started performing in the Somerset West Courthouse over 120 years ago. However the Society as we know it was reconstructed after World War II in 1948 by Mrs. Cornish-Bowden.
At that time the venue was the Old Masonic Hall. It had a flat floor with a 10ft deep platform at one end. For a show, the hall was rented from Saturday through to the following Sunday. The first weekend was spent adding a 5ft. apron to the stage, creating a proscenium arch with material, dressing the set, and then final dress rehearsals were held prior to going on stage for four nights. The lighting box was a Heath Robinson affair which often glowed red hot. It was an exhausting week but lots of fun and some really good shows were staged.
When was the Masonic Hall was pulled down, the Somerset West Town Hall was used.
The Playhouse
To survive it was decided that the Society should have a permanent home. Thanks to the efforts of Harold Wilson, Donald Munro and Claude Clegg, a loan was secured from the Municipality, a price negotiated, and they obtained the land and permission to build. Harry Hargreaves designed the theatre, and thanks to him we now have one of the best venues available on the peninsula. Companies and people were marvellous, the project receiving all sorts of donations and lots of the building and other materials at real bargain prices.
On the 26th May 1973, The Playhouse opened and since then most of their productions have been staged in this venue.
The original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. Later the workshop was added and then finally the Green Room. All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and our reputation as one of the leading societies in the Peninsula was established.
It must be kept in mind that we are an Amateur Society. However we must never forget that the only real difference between Amateurs & Professionals is that we don’t get paid. A standard has been set by our predecessors which we must maintain & enhance. A few years back we were advised that it would be in our interests to pay off the loan and buy the land, which up to that point was rented. An appeal was made, and enough money raised to cover this debt.
Over the past 12 years, more improvements have been made including the tarring of the parking lot, the interior redecorated, new signage and a host of other small things.
The Society does not receive grants from anywhere and has to generate income from shows & hires to survive.
(Lindsay Small (Chairman), May 2014)
Productions
1978: A Christmas Carol
1986: Bugsy Malone, Jack and the Beanstalk
Sources
A brief summary of "Our History" by Lindsay Small (Chairman), May 2014.
The Playhouse Theatre website [2]
Greyvenstein, Walter 1988. The history and development of children's theatre in English in South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University.
Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography
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