Difference between revisions of "Observatory Theatre"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "The '''Observatory Theatre''' , Bloemfontein (also known in Afrikaans as Die Sterrewag Teater), Bloemfontein. A rather unique experimental theatre situated in a game reserve ...")
 
 
(4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
The '''Observatory Theatre''' , Bloemfontein (also known in Afrikaans as Die [[Sterrewag Teater]]), Bloemfontein. A rather unique experimental theatre situated in a game reserve on a hill in the heart of the city. Constructed in a converted astronomical observatory on Naval Hill in 1977?* by PACOFS.  
+
The '''Observatory Theatre''' , Bloemfontein (also known in Afrikaans as Die '''Sterrewag Teater'''). A rather unique experimental theatre situated in a game reserve on a hill in the heart of the city. Constructed in the converted Lamont-Hussey astronomical observatory on Naval Hill in 1978 by [[PACOFS]].  
  
  
 
== The Lamont-Hussey Observatory ==
 
== The Lamont-Hussey Observatory ==
  
−
Grondwerke het begin in Junie 1927. Die sterrewag se koepel tesame met twee sterrekundiges het gearriveer in November 1927. Hierdie massiewe 50 ton koepel se installasie is voltoooi in Maart 1928 en die teleskoop was gereed in April van daardie jaar.
+
The Lamont-Hussey was constructed by and belonged to the University of Michigan. Construction began in June 1927, installation of the 50 ton cupola and telescope was complete in March 1928 and the official opening took place on 28 April 1928. (Interestingly the Boyden Observatory, belonging to Harvard University, was also constructed at this time, at a site outside  Bloemfontein at Maselspoort. The running of the observatory was later taken over by the University of the Orange Free State. By 1971 however, the observatory was not being used anymore and it was closed down in 1972.  
  
−
Die Opening van die Lamont-Hussey Sterrewag
 
−
Die Sterrewag is amptelik geopen op 28 April 1928 deur Bloemfontein se burgemeester. Interessant genoeg is dat Boyden Sterrewag wat aan Harvard Universiteit behoort het, ook in hierdie tyd opgerig is buite Bloemfontein by Maselspoort. Bloemfontein sou met die koms van hierdie twee sterrewagte een van die bes toegeruste stede ter wêreld wees vir sterrekundige navorsing!
 
  
 +
== Closure of the observatory ==
  
−
** The original observatory had been built in 19** and was used by the University of the Orange Free State?* ** up till 1912/72?. (Its role had been taken over by the Boyden*? observatory built in 19** at Mazelspoort outside of Bloemfontein.)
 
  
 +
As the University of Michigan had no further use for the telescope or the building they offered it to anyone wanting it. It finally went to the Municipality of Bloemfontein, free of charge. Die gebou is aan die munisipaliteit gratis toegeken and it stood empty for a number of years. In 1978 the Municipality donated it to [[PACOFS]] to use as an experimental theatre space.
 +
 +
== The Sterrewag Teater/ Observatory Theatre ==
  
−
== The Sterrewag Teater/ Observatory Theatre ==
+
The theatre is completely round, with  a half moon open stage and 119 seats. It opened in 1979 with a [[PACOFS]] production of ''[[Die Huigelaar]]'' (An Afrikaans translation of ''[[Tartuffe]]'' by Molière). Still used by [[PACOFS]], [[Bloemfonteinse Teatergroep]], [[Bloemfontein Repertory Society]] and visiting artists.
−
Teen die tyd toe Frank Holden afgetree het in 1971, was die sterrewag se werk feitelik afgehandel en het in onbruik begin raak. Weens verskeie redes waaronder finansies en politiek seker die grootste rol gespeel het, is besluit om die sterrewag te sluit in 1972. Die Universiteit van Michigan het besluit dat hulle geen nut meer het vir die geboutjie of die teleskoop nie, en het dit aangebied aan enige iemand wat dit wou hê en vir 'n goeie rede kon aanwend. Die teleskoop is eers aan Boyden Sterrewag aangebied, maar dit sou te duur wees om in stand te hou - Boyden het sy eie probleme op daardie stadium gehad. Niemand anders wou die teleskoop gehad het nie, en dit is in die middel 1970's uitmekaar gehaal en verwyder…
 
−
Die gebou is aan die munisipaliteit gratis toegeken. Hulle het dit later aan SUKOVS gegee wat dit in 'n drama teater omskep het. Vandag staan die sterrewag bekend as die "Sterrewag Teater" en is steeds vir opvoeringsdoeleindes in gebruik.
 
  
 +
== Sources ==
  
−
The theatre is completely round, with  a half moon open stage and 119 seats. It opened in 1979 with a PACOFS production of ''[[Die Huigelaar]]'' (An Afrikaans translation of ''[[Tartuffe]]'' by Molière). Still used by [[PACOFS]], [[Teatergroep]], [[Bloemfontein Reps]] and visiting artists.  
+
http://www.assabfn.co.za/lamont_hussey/lamonthusseyafr.htm
  
−
== Sources ==
 
  
−
(AW)
+
(AW)
  
 
== For more information ==
 
== For more information ==

Latest revision as of 06:18, 13 January 2011

The Observatory Theatre , Bloemfontein (also known in Afrikaans as Die Sterrewag Teater). A rather unique experimental theatre situated in a game reserve on a hill in the heart of the city. Constructed in the converted Lamont-Hussey astronomical observatory on Naval Hill in 1978 by PACOFS.


The Lamont-Hussey Observatory

The Lamont-Hussey was constructed by and belonged to the University of Michigan. Construction began in June 1927, installation of the 50 ton cupola and telescope was complete in March 1928 and the official opening took place on 28 April 1928. (Interestingly the Boyden Observatory, belonging to Harvard University, was also constructed at this time, at a site outside Bloemfontein at Maselspoort. The running of the observatory was later taken over by the University of the Orange Free State. By 1971 however, the observatory was not being used anymore and it was closed down in 1972.


Closure of the observatory

As the University of Michigan had no further use for the telescope or the building they offered it to anyone wanting it. It finally went to the Municipality of Bloemfontein, free of charge. Die gebou is aan die munisipaliteit gratis toegeken and it stood empty for a number of years. In 1978 the Municipality donated it to PACOFS to use as an experimental theatre space.

The Sterrewag Teater/ Observatory Theatre

The theatre is completely round, with a half moon open stage and 119 seats. It opened in 1979 with a PACOFS production of Die Huigelaar (An Afrikaans translation of Tartuffe by Molière). Still used by PACOFS, Bloemfonteinse Teatergroep, Bloemfontein Repertory Society and visiting artists.

Sources

http://www.assabfn.co.za/lamont_hussey/lamonthusseyafr.htm


(AW)

For more information

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

Retrieved from "https://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php?title=Observatory_Theatre&oldid=11569"