Difference between revisions of "The African Theatre"

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[[The African Theatre]] (or '''[[Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]''') was a theatre venue in Cape Town.  
 
[[The African Theatre]] (or '''[[Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]''') was a theatre venue in Cape Town.  
  
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''NB: This title is not to be confused with the generic term '''[[African Theatre]]''', which refers to the practice and products of "theatre in and of Africa" (for this, see the entry on '''[[African Theatre]]''')''
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''NB: See '''[[African Theatre]]''' for the generic term referring to the practice and products of "'''theatre in and of Africa'''",
  
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The first proper stone built European style theatre to be built in South Africa, it is one of the oldest existing pupose-built theatrical structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Today it is the home of an active [[Dutch Reformed Church]] congregation and is known as [[St Stephen's Church]].  
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The first proper stone built, European style, theatre to be constructed in South Africa, it is one of the oldest existing pupose-built theatrical structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Built and opened in 1800 it was closed down as a theatre and sold in 1835/1839. However, from 1840 onwards it was home to an active [[Dutch Reformed Church]] congregation and became known as '''[[St Stephen's Church]]''', still in use today. The building is still pretty much as it was, except for the ornamentation, and is now a listed historic building.
  
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For a full history of the theatre, its performances and its impact, see [[Jill Fletcher]]'s history entitled ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930'' (Cape Town: Vlaeberg, 1994).
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== The many names for the theatre ==
  
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See also [[St Stephen's Church]]
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The theatre was officially known as [[The African Theatre]] in English and '''[[Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]''' in  [[Dutch]], though it has had a variety of other names in the popular parlance over the years. Often fondly referred to simply as "[[The Theatre]]", or as "[[The Cape Town Theatre]]" by the English-speaking residents and theatre companies, while the [[Dutch]] [[burgher|burghers]] and journalists called it the "[[Zuid-Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]" ("South African theatre") - especially after 1829, the "[[Kaapsche Schouwburg]]" ("Cape theatre"), simply  "[[Di Schouwburg]]" ("The theatre") or apparently often  the "[[Komediehuis]]" ("comedy house"). It is occasionally also referred to as [[Die Afrikaanse Skouburg]] or the [[Kaapse Skouburg]] in [[Afrikaans]] publications, e.g. by [[F.C.L. Bosman]] (1928).
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== Names for the theatre ==
 
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The theatre was officially known as [[The African Theatre]] in English and '''[[Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]''' in  [[Dutch]], though it has had a variety of other names in the popular parlance over the years. Often fondly referred to simply as "[[The Theatre]]", or as "[[The Cape Town Theatre]]" by the English-speaking residents and theatre companies, while the [[Dutch]] [[burgher|burghers]] and journalists called it the "[[Zuid-Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]" ("South African theatre") - especially after 1829, the "[[Kaapsche Schouwburg]]" ("Cape theatre"), or simply  "[[Di Schouwburg]]" ("The theatre"). It is occasionally also referred to as [[Die Afrikaanse Skouburg]] in [[Afrikaans]] publications, e.g. by [[F.C.L. Bosman]] (1928).
 
  
 
== The origins of the theatre==
 
== The origins of the theatre==
  
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The idea of a purpose built theatre for Cape Town became prominent toward the end of the 18th century, and was strongly supported by various prominent officers and amateur performers of the British Garrison in the colony. It became a reality when the Governor, [[Sir George Yonge]], inspired by a successful performance of ''[[Taste]]'' in the [[Barracks Theatre]] and in response to a request  by a number of citizens, led by one [[Henry Murphy]], to found an English/Dutch Private Theatre by subscription in Cape Town, made it a personal project, pushing it through despite much criticism and opposition.  To this end Yonge appropriated a portion of [[Riebeeck Square]] to build a theatre upon the site in 1799. 
+
The idea of a purpose built theatre for Cape Town became prominent toward the end of the 18th century, and was strongly supported by various prominent officers and amateur performers of the British Garrison in the colony. It became a reality when a number of officers and citizens, led by one [[Henry Murphy]], submitted a request to found an English/Dutch Private Theatre by subscription in Cape Town to the mew Governor, [[Sir George Yonge]]. Yonge, inspired by a successful performance of Samuel Foote's ''[[Taste]]'' in a temporarily fitted up venue - referred to as the [[Sea-line]] - in the Military Hospital, Cape Town in May 1800, responded by making the building of a theatre for Cape Town his personal project. To this end Yonge appropriated a portion of the [[Boerenplein]] ("Farmer's Square", also known as [[Hottentot's Square]] or [[Van Riebeeck Square]]) in 1799 and donated a section of it to 24 shareholders, for the building of a theatre in 1800.  
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Designed and built by the extravagant Governor [[Sir George Yonge]] in 1800. It was planned to operate on a subscription-only basis, with Yonge himself being one of the 24 initial partners, and catered equally for English and Dutch. The partners were Sir [[George Yonge]], Lt. Col. [[James Cockburn]], Major [[Birkenhead Glegg]], [[Edmund Summers]], [[Oloff Berg]], [[Jos. Bray]], [[Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld]], [[Henry Erskine]], [[John Pringle]], [[Richard Blake]], [[Joh. Zorn]], [[John Grulsbone]], [[Price Tucker]], [[Thomas Wittenoom]], [[Haines Wade Battersby]], [[James Lourie]], [[John Elmslie]], [[Alexander Macdonald]], [[Simon Tufts]], and [[Alex. Tennant]].
 
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It originally had no pit, only a balcony and richly ornamented boxes. However this soon changed as a pit was added in 1804. The theatre had no foyer, and the stage (still there) was small, with two doors and dressingrooms behind (now the vestry). Below the theatre was a number of warehouses and shops, still there today and still in use. Designed and built by the extravagant Governor  [[Sir George Yonge]] in 1800. It was planned to operate on a subscription-only basis, with Yonge himself being one of the 24 initial partners, and catered equally for English and Dutch. The partners were Sir [[George Yonge]], Lt. Col. [[James Cockburn]], Major [[Birkenhead Glegg]], [[Edmund Summers]], [[Oloff Berg]], [[Jos. Bray]], [[Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld]], [[Henry Erskine]], [[John Pringle]], [[Richard Blake]], [[Joh. Zorn]], [[John Grulsbone]], [[Price Tucker]], [[Thomas Wittenoom]], [[Haines Wade Battersby]], [[James Lourie]], [[John Elmslie]], [[Alexander Macdonald]], [[Simon Tufts]], and [[Alex. Tennant]].
 
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Designed by Yonge himself,  the theatre was constructed on what was variously referred to as the [[Boeren Plein]] ("Farmers Square"), the [[Hottentot's Square]] or [[Van Riebeeck Square]] in Cape Town in 1800. and opened in 1800, closing as a theatre in 1835. Built on The building  still exists in Cape Town, a listed historic building now known as [[St Stephen's Church]].
 
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(This is now called [[Riebeeck Square]] and the building still stands there) and between  1801-1839 it served as a theatre, and from 1840 onwards as a Dutch Reformed church (today known as the [[St Stephen's Church]]). The building is still pretty much as it was, except for the ornamentation.
 
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The Governor pushed through the project in the face of much criticism and opposition. However, when the theatre was on the eve of opening with a performance of a Shakespeare play by November 1800, a Commission of Inquiry into Sir George Yonge's affairs and his subsequent recall to England postponed it all. However, the theatre finally opened its doors early in September 1801 and in October 1801 presented its first production, Shakespeare’s [[Henry IV]] pt. 1 - a performance which ran for a week. According to a report by  Lady [[Anne Barnard]] on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by [[Mrs Somers]]  and spoken by [[Dr Somers]], followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done".  The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with [[Dr Somers]], [[John Pringle]] and most probably the original petitioners ([[Henry Murphy]] and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]]. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the Dutch, the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: [[German Theatre in South Africa]]) For the next 30 years or so hosted most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the Circuses and equestrian shows, and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]). In the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape it was eventually sold in March 1839 and then converted into a church for freed slaves, to the disgust of the citizenry, who stoned the building. Hence the current name: [[St Stephen's Church]], a name first noted from 1847 onwards. 
 
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In 199* a performance of Chickin' **** (starring [[Jonathan Pienaar]]*) was held in the church in order to raise funds for the restoration of the building and in 2002-2003 [[Die Burger]], a Cape Town Afrikaans newspaper, set about raising the funds for a full resotration, with the help of the artistic community in the city. A key figure here was [[Martiens van Bart]]. By 2010 the warehouses and shops below the theatre were again being used commercially, as was the theatre itself. [TH, JH]
 
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From [[South African History Online|SAHO]][http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/st-stephens-church-riebeeck-square-cape-town]:
 
  
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In 1799, during the first British occupation of the Cape, the Governor, Sir George Yonge, appropriated a portion of Riebeeck Square to build a theatre upon the site. This was opened on 17 November 1800 and by all accounts was considered by citizens of Cape Town to be a very fine building. However, it soon proved to be ineffective as a theatre and fell into disuse, and in 1838 Dr Adamson, of the Presbyterian Church, resolved to use it as a school for freed slaves. The proposal was supported by the Dutch Reformed Church, and the building, now named after St Stephen, the first martyr, was soon being used as a school during the week and as a place of worship and a religious school on Sundays. In 1857 its congregation it was incorporated into the Dutch Reformed Church, and the building was purchased by its Elders, making it, reputedly, the only Dutch Reformed Church to bear the name of a saint. During the first half of the 20th century the changing nature of the area immediately about it brought about a reduction in its congregation, and for a while it was proposed to demolish the structure and build a parking garage on the site. Fortunately the space proved too small for the project and it was abandoned. Further difficulties arose when the Apartheid Government proposed to declare the suburb a residential area for the exclusive use of the White group. This proposal too was eventually abandoned, and the church was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 22 October 1965.
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The intention was that it would operate on a subscription-only basis and be run as a charitable venture by a committee of 24 the shareholders, with Yonge himself being one. In line with the British policy at the time (i.e. to win the support of the [[Dutch]]), the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and [[Dutch]], and the plan was to alternate plays in English and [[Dutch]].  
  
 +
The original share-holders  were Sir [[George Yonge]], Lt. Col. [[James Cockburn]], Major [[Birkenhead Glegg]], [[Edmund Summers]], [[Oloff Berg]], [[Jos. Bray]], [[Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld]], [[Henry Erskine]], [[John Pringle]], [[Richard Blake]], [[Joh. Zorn]], [[John Grulsbone]], [[Price Tucker]], [[Thomas Wittenoom]], [[Haines Wade Battersby]], [[James Lourie]], [[John Elmslie]], [[Alexander Macdonald]], [[Simon Tufts]], and [[Alex. Tennant]]. The first treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]].
  
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From http://www.capetownhistory.co.za/?page_id=453
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The building itself was designed by the extravagant Governor  [[Sir George Yonge]] himself and largely funded by him as well. At street level there was provision for a number of shops, workshops and even storerooms. Above these was the theatre itself. The walls were of Table Mountain sandstone, rough-dressed and bonded in clay, but the upper courses of the walls were of stone mixed, with half-burnt bricks and plastered over. The exterior was distinguished by a low pitched roof, buttresses surmounted by urns, a row of oval windows and a covered colonnade of four columns reached by two gracious stairways (which were demolished in 1824). It originally had no pit, only a balcony and richly ornamented boxes. However this soon changed as a pit was added in 1804. There was no foyer, and the stage was small, with two doors and dressingrooms behind.   
  
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== St. Stephen's Church ==
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Yonge had pushed through the project in the face of much criticism and opposition, but on the eve of its opening on 17 November 1800 (with a performance of a Shakespeare play), a Commission of Inquiry into [[Sir George Yonge]]'s affairs led to his subsequent recall to England, which meant it all had to be postponed. Thus the theatre only opened its doors during early September 1801, with the first production only taking place in October 1801 with Shakespeare’s [[Henry IV]] pt. 1 - a performance which ran for a week.
  
 +
According to a report by  Lady [[Anne Barnard]] on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by [[Mrs Somers]]  and spoken by [[Dr Somers]], followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done".  The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with [[Dr Somers]], [[John Pringle]] and most probably the original petitioners ([[Henry Murphy]] and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was [[Joseph Bray]]. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the [[Dutch]], the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: [[German Theatre in South Africa]])
  
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The only building on [[Riebeeck Square]] is [[St Stephen's Church]], but it was, in fact, the first theatre or, as some of the [[Dutch]] speaking population called it, the first "[[komediehuis]]" in South Africa. During the first British occupation of the Cape the public, and especially the garrison, lacked adequate entertainments. The British Governor, Sir [[George Yonge]], authorized the building of a theatre. In 1799 construction of a theatre was started, on, what was then known as Boeren Plijn.  
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For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the [[Circus]]es and [[equestrian shows]], and the occasional plays in the [[Barracks Theatre]]. After the opening of the [[Liefhebbery Tooneel]] (sic) - or "[[Amateur Theatre]]" -  in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner ([[John Thos. Buck]]).
  
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The theatre was opened on 17th November 1800. At street level there was provision for a number of shops, workshops and even storerooms. Above these was the theatre itself. The walls were of Table Mountain sandstone, rough-dressed and bonded in clay, but the upper courses of the walls were of stone mixed, with half-burnt bricks and plastered over. The exterior was distinguished by a low pitched roof, buttresses surmounted by urns, a row of oval windows and a covered colonnade of four columns reached by two gracious stairways. The stairways were demolished in 1824, but the building stands just as it was. Nothing remained of its “elegant” interior.The building soon proved to be ineffective as a theatre and fell into disuse. In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr. Adamson of the Presbyterian Church used it as a school for freed slaves. The Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church supported him and it was soon used as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays. It is said the church, the only Dutch Reformed Church that bears the name of a Saint, was called after the first martyr, because the dissatisfied slaves stoned it on a certain Sunday while a service was in progress.
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==The end of the theatre and the emergence of [[St Stephen's Church]]==
  
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In 1936, after the years of depression, the building was in a fairly poor condition and there was talk of selling it. The danger was averted for the time being through the intervention of various cultural organisations with the support of the Historical Monuments Commission.
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In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr Adamson of the Presbyterian Church and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church founded a congregation for freed slaves. At the same time, in the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape, the theatre was put up for sale and was eventually sold to the congregation in March 1839, who set about using it as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays.  
  
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In1949 a firm who proposed to build a parking garage on the site, made an offer ten times the amount offered in 1936. Fortunately, however, it was saved because the area proved too small for the project and the City Council refused to sacrifice an extra nine metres of Riebeeck Square.
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This took place to the disgust of the citizenry, who stoned the building during one Sunday service. Hence the current name: [[St Stephen's Church]], a name first noted from 1847 onwards.  (It is in fact believed to be the only Dutch Reformed Church that bears the name of a Saint.)
  
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The threat that the church might be demolished remained. It was only through persistence, tact and persuasion on the part of those who fought for its preservation that the building was eventually declared a National Monument.
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Fortunately the church has retained the building pretty much as it was after 1824,  for the stage is still there, and the dressing rooms have become the vestry. Even the shops below are still in use. Nothing of course has remained of its elegant interior. However over the years the incumbent the church leaders, among them Rev P.S. Latsky (who served for over 33 years, 1930-1955 and again 1961-1968), have done much to preserve and emphasize the unique history of the historic theatre/church.  
  
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It
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In the late 1980s it was once more used for performances on occasion, in order to raise funds for the restoration of the church building.  For example [[Jonathan Pienaar]] did a performance of [[Ian Fraser]]'s ''[[Story of an African Chicken]]'' in May 1989. This initiative would become a more concerted effort, led by [[Die Burger]], a Cape Town [[Afrikaans]] newspaper, which in 2002-2003 set about raising the funds for a full restoration of the building, with the help of the artistic community in the city. A key figure here was the journalist [[Martiens van Bart]]. By 2010 the warehouses and shops below the theatre were again being used commercially, as was the theatre itself.  [TH, JH]
  
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== Performances in [[The African Theatre]] ==
  
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St. Stephen’s Church, Cape Town, Cape Province is the only Dutch Reformed church named after a saint; and its congregation is the only Coloured congregation that forms part of the [[NG Kerk]] (the mother church), with full admission to its synod, while all other Coloured parishes of the N.G. Kerk belong to the daughter or mission church.
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The following two studies contain discussions of most documented productions in the theatre between 1801 and 1838:
  
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The rectangular edifice was erected during the First British Occupation as the [[African Theatre]] and is the oldest theatre building in South Africa, having been erected for that purpose by the Governor, [[Sir George Yonge]], on what is now Riebeek Square, where it was opened on 17th November 1800. Thus it is the only church building that was formerly a theatre. Under the Batavian regime the theatre was called the [[Afrikaansche Schouwburg]] , but to the populace it was simply known as the [[Komediehuis]]. The basement was and still is used for workshops, storage and similar purposes. The building, repeatedly menaced with demolition, was proclaimed a historical monument in 1965.
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]
  
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[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: [[Vlaeberg Publishers]].
  
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Utilized as a performance space on occasion again between 2002 and 2010, to raise funds for the exstensive restoration of the historical building in this period.
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Alternatively, use the [[ESAT]] '''Search''' function (above right) with "[[The African Theatre]]" as the key word.
  
  
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]: pp.60-177; 356-358;
 
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]: pp.60-177; 356-358;
  
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[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg:  pp. 21-28;   
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[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: [[Vlaeberg Publishers]]:  pp. 21-28;   
  
 
[[P.J. du Toit]]. 1988. ''Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika''. Pretoria: Academica  
 
[[P.J. du Toit]]. 1988. ''Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika''. Pretoria: Academica  
  
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Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]
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L.G. Latsky. 1992. "St Stephen's" In: ''Levensessens. P.S. Latsky: 'n Biografie'' (Privately published)
 +
 
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 06:46, 4 May 2024

The African Theatre (or Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg) was a theatre venue in Cape Town.

NB: See African Theatre for the generic term referring to the practice and products of "theatre in and of Africa",

The first proper stone built, European style, theatre to be constructed in South Africa, it is one of the oldest existing pupose-built theatrical structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Built and opened in 1800 it was closed down as a theatre and sold in 1835/1839. However, from 1840 onwards it was home to an active Dutch Reformed Church congregation and became known as St Stephen's Church, still in use today. The building is still pretty much as it was, except for the ornamentation, and is now a listed historic building.

The many names for the theatre

The theatre was officially known as The African Theatre in English and Di Afrikaansche Schouwburg in Dutch, though it has had a variety of other names in the popular parlance over the years. Often fondly referred to simply as "The Theatre", or as "The Cape Town Theatre" by the English-speaking residents and theatre companies, while the Dutch burghers and journalists called it the "Zuid-Afrikaansche Schouwburg" ("South African theatre") - especially after 1829, the "Kaapsche Schouwburg" ("Cape theatre"), simply "Di Schouwburg" ("The theatre") or apparently often the "Komediehuis" ("comedy house"). It is occasionally also referred to as Die Afrikaanse Skouburg or the Kaapse Skouburg in Afrikaans publications, e.g. by F.C.L. Bosman (1928).

The origins of the theatre

The idea of a purpose built theatre for Cape Town became prominent toward the end of the 18th century, and was strongly supported by various prominent officers and amateur performers of the British Garrison in the colony. It became a reality when a number of officers and citizens, led by one Henry Murphy, submitted a request to found an English/Dutch Private Theatre by subscription in Cape Town to the mew Governor, Sir George Yonge. Yonge, inspired by a successful performance of Samuel Foote's Taste in a temporarily fitted up venue - referred to as the Sea-line - in the Military Hospital, Cape Town in May 1800, responded by making the building of a theatre for Cape Town his personal project. To this end Yonge appropriated a portion of the Boerenplein ("Farmer's Square", also known as Hottentot's Square or Van Riebeeck Square) in 1799 and donated a section of it to 24 shareholders, for the building of a theatre in 1800.

The intention was that it would operate on a subscription-only basis and be run as a charitable venture by a committee of 24 the shareholders, with Yonge himself being one. In line with the British policy at the time (i.e. to win the support of the Dutch), the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch.

The original share-holders were Sir George Yonge, Lt. Col. James Cockburn, Major Birkenhead Glegg, Edmund Summers, Oloff Berg, Jos. Bray, Willem Stephanus van Ryneveld, Henry Erskine, John Pringle, Richard Blake, Joh. Zorn, John Grulsbone, Price Tucker, Thomas Wittenoom, Haines Wade Battersby, James Lourie, John Elmslie, Alexander Macdonald, Simon Tufts, and Alex. Tennant. The first treasurer was Joseph Bray.

The building itself was designed by the extravagant Governor Sir George Yonge himself and largely funded by him as well. At street level there was provision for a number of shops, workshops and even storerooms. Above these was the theatre itself. The walls were of Table Mountain sandstone, rough-dressed and bonded in clay, but the upper courses of the walls were of stone mixed, with half-burnt bricks and plastered over. The exterior was distinguished by a low pitched roof, buttresses surmounted by urns, a row of oval windows and a covered colonnade of four columns reached by two gracious stairways (which were demolished in 1824). It originally had no pit, only a balcony and richly ornamented boxes. However this soon changed as a pit was added in 1804. There was no foyer, and the stage was small, with two doors and dressingrooms behind.

Yonge had pushed through the project in the face of much criticism and opposition, but on the eve of its opening on 17 November 1800 (with a performance of a Shakespeare play), a Commission of Inquiry into Sir George Yonge's affairs led to his subsequent recall to England, which meant it all had to be postponed. Thus the theatre only opened its doors during early September 1801, with the first production only taking place in October 1801 with Shakespeare’s Henry IV pt. 1 - a performance which ran for a week.

According to a report by Lady Anne Barnard on 16 October, the event opened with an address to Apollo, written by Mrs Somers and spoken by Dr Somers, followed by the play - apparently a dull play, but with scenes "very well done". The theatre was run as a charitable venture and had a committee headed by the Governor, with Dr Somers, John Pringle and most probably the original petitioners (Henry Murphy and his signatories, including a large number of Dutch burghers). The treasurer was Joseph Bray. In line with the British policy at the time to win the support of the Dutch, the shares in the venture were apparently equally divided between the English and Dutch, and the plan was to alternate plays in English and Dutch. On occasion German plays were also done - a tradition of German performance still extant in Cape Town today. (See: German Theatre in South Africa)

For the next 30 years or so the venue would host most of the major productions in Cape Town, except for the Circuses and equestrian shows, and the occasional plays in the Barracks Theatre. After the opening of the Liefhebbery Tooneel (sic) - or "Amateur Theatre" - in 1825, it was used primarily by English groups and gradually it fell into the hands of a single owner (John Thos. Buck).

The end of the theatre and the emergence of St Stephen's Church

In 1838, when the four-year period of indenture of the slaves elapsed, Dr Adamson of the Presbyterian Church and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann of the Dutch Reformed Church founded a congregation for freed slaves. At the same time, in the face of a growing anti-theatrical feeling among the citizens in the Cape, the theatre was put up for sale and was eventually sold to the congregation in March 1839, who set about using it as a school during the week, and as a Sunday School and a place of worship on Sundays.

This took place to the disgust of the citizenry, who stoned the building during one Sunday service. Hence the current name: St Stephen's Church, a name first noted from 1847 onwards. (It is in fact believed to be the only Dutch Reformed Church that bears the name of a Saint.)

Fortunately the church has retained the building pretty much as it was after 1824, for the stage is still there, and the dressing rooms have become the vestry. Even the shops below are still in use. Nothing of course has remained of its elegant interior. However over the years the incumbent the church leaders, among them Rev P.S. Latsky (who served for over 33 years, 1930-1955 and again 1961-1968), have done much to preserve and emphasize the unique history of the historic theatre/church.

In the late 1980s it was once more used for performances on occasion, in order to raise funds for the restoration of the church building. For example Jonathan Pienaar did a performance of Ian Fraser's Story of an African Chicken in May 1989. This initiative would become a more concerted effort, led by Die Burger, a Cape Town Afrikaans newspaper, which in 2002-2003 set about raising the funds for a full restoration of the building, with the help of the artistic community in the city. A key figure here was the journalist Martiens van Bart. By 2010 the warehouses and shops below the theatre were again being used commercially, as was the theatre itself. [TH, JH]

Performances in The African Theatre

The following two studies contain discussions of most documented productions in the theatre between 1801 and 1838:

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg Publishers.

Alternatively, use the ESAT Search function (above right) with "The African Theatre" as the key word.


[TH, JH]

Sources

http://ancestry24.com/st-stephens-church-ngk/

http://www.capetownhistory.co.za/?page_id=453

http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/st-stephens-church-riebeeck-square-cape-town

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [2]: pp.60-177; 356-358;

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg Publishers: pp. 21-28;

P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica

L.G. Latsky. 1992. "St Stephen's" In: Levensessens. P.S. Latsky: 'n Biografie (Privately published)

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