Difference between revisions of "Playhouse Theatre"

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= Playhouses and Playhouse Theatres =
 
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Over the years a number of theatres and cinemas have used the term '''[[Playhouse]]''' or '''[[Playhouse Theatre]]''' as their name (or part of it).  
 
Over the years a number of theatres and cinemas have used the term '''[[Playhouse]]''' or '''[[Playhouse Theatre]]''' as their name (or part of it).  
  
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== The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town ==
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= The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town =
  
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The original name of De [[Hollandsche Kerk Zaal]] ("Dutch Church Hall"),  a church hall built on Kerkplein, Cape Town in 18** , was bought/rented by ** in 19** and renamed the [[Playhouse Theatre]].
  
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The original name of De [[Hollandsche Kerk Zaal]] ("Dutch Church Hall"),  a church hall built on Kerkplein, Cape Town in 18** , was bought/rented by ** in 19** and renamed the [[Playhouse Theatre]]. In 1916 it became the [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]]. **
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An intimate venue, it was described as "cool, well lit and comfortably furnished" in a review by the Burger of 4 October 1915, though Bosman (1928) differed later, calling it "utterly unsuitable".  It was used by local amateurs and professionals.
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Originally built in 18** as the Hollandsche Kerk Zaal ("Dutch Church Hall") on Kerkplein ("Church Square"), it was bought/rented by ** and renamed The Playhouse Theatre in 19**. An intimate venue, it was described as "cool, well lit and comfortably furnished" in a review by the Burger of 4 October 1915, though Bosman (1928) differed later, calling it "utterly unsuitable".  It was used by local amateurs and professionals and performances include **, **, and  Ann by ** in 1915, ***** In 1916 it became the Afrikaanse Koffiehuis, to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous Koffiehuiskonserte .
 
  
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In 1916 it became the [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]], to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous ''Koffiehuiskonserte''.
  
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=== Sources ===
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'''For more information, see [[Afrikaanse Koffiehuis]].'''
  
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= The Playhouse, Durban =
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=== For more information ===
 
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== The Playhouse, Durban ==
 
  
 
The name of two theatres in Durban:
 
The name of two theatres in Durban:
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* the renamed [[Natal Playhouse]] complex which incorporated the old [[Playhouse]] along with the [[Prince's Cinema]] and opened by NAPAC in 1986. Later renamed [[The Playhouse]] in 1995.
 
* the renamed [[Natal Playhouse]] complex which incorporated the old [[Playhouse]] along with the [[Prince's Cinema]] and opened by NAPAC in 1986. Later renamed [[The Playhouse]] in 1995.
  
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=== For more information ===
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'''For more information, the [[Natal Playhouse]].'''
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See further the [[Natal Playhouse]], [[The Playhouse]] and [[William Mitheson Timlin]].
 
  
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=== Sources ===
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= The Playhouse Theatre, Johannesburg =
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[[Malcolm Woolfson]], 1986. The Long Road that led towards the Natal Playhouse. Durban : The Natal Performing Arts Council.)
 
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[[Marilyn Martin]], 1995 (Catalogue: [[W.M. Timlin]])
 
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== The Playhouse Theatre, Johannesburg ==
 
 
   
 
   
 
Situated in Braamfontein, had its inaugural production in October 1960 was ''[[For Love or Money]]'', by [[Adam Leslie]]. [[Michael Finlayson]] directed this show starring Leslie himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[Olive King]], and comedian [[Garth Meade]]. [[Leonard Schach]]’s production of ''[[The Aspern Papers]]'' ran here after their season at the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]] in 1960. Michael Redgrave’s adaptation of this Henry James story saw the British actress [[Flora Robson]] in the lead opposite Canadian actor Robert Beatty. In December 1960 [[Leonard Schach]] announced he had signed a two-year lease with the Playhouse. Schach’s [[Cockpit Players]] maintained a high standard at the Playhouse in 1961 with Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Caretaker]]'' with [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]] and [[Nigel Hawthorne]], and Paddy Chayefsky’s prizewinning ''[[The Tenth Man]]'', starring the same actors. Schach did William Gibson’s ''[[The Miracle Worker]]'' here in 1961, starring [[Reinet Maasdorp]] and [[Fiona Fraser]]. Leonard Schach presented ''[[Beyond the Fringe]]'' here in 1962, starring New Zealand-born [[Kerry Jordan]] and [[David Beattie]]. Leonard Schach directed Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Birthday Party]]'', followed by Tennessee Williams’s ''[[The Night of the Iguana]]'' which was staged here by the [[Cockpit Players]] in 1962. In his company of actors for these plays were [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]], [[Margaret Inglis]], [[Marjorie Gordon]], [[Diane Wilson]] and [[Kerry Jordan]]. This saw the end of Schach’s lease of the Playhouse, and so the end of the [[Cockpit Players]]. The use of the Playhouse dwindled until it ceased to function as a theatre a year later. [[Leon Gluckman]] and [[Colin Fish]] presented Sir Donald and Lady Wolfit (the actress Rosalind Iden) in an evening of Shakespeare at the Playhouse in 1962. Wolfit and the producers replaced the programme with Ibsen’s ''[[The Master Builder]]'' when ticket sales dwindled. [[Brian Brooke]]’s ''[[Pyjama Tops]]'' was staged here in 1963. It starred [[Shirley Firth]] and [[John Hayter]]. **** (Tucker, 1997)
 
Situated in Braamfontein, had its inaugural production in October 1960 was ''[[For Love or Money]]'', by [[Adam Leslie]]. [[Michael Finlayson]] directed this show starring Leslie himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[Olive King]], and comedian [[Garth Meade]]. [[Leonard Schach]]’s production of ''[[The Aspern Papers]]'' ran here after their season at the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]] in 1960. Michael Redgrave’s adaptation of this Henry James story saw the British actress [[Flora Robson]] in the lead opposite Canadian actor Robert Beatty. In December 1960 [[Leonard Schach]] announced he had signed a two-year lease with the Playhouse. Schach’s [[Cockpit Players]] maintained a high standard at the Playhouse in 1961 with Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Caretaker]]'' with [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]] and [[Nigel Hawthorne]], and Paddy Chayefsky’s prizewinning ''[[The Tenth Man]]'', starring the same actors. Schach did William Gibson’s ''[[The Miracle Worker]]'' here in 1961, starring [[Reinet Maasdorp]] and [[Fiona Fraser]]. Leonard Schach presented ''[[Beyond the Fringe]]'' here in 1962, starring New Zealand-born [[Kerry Jordan]] and [[David Beattie]]. Leonard Schach directed Harold Pinter’s ''[[The Birthday Party]]'', followed by Tennessee Williams’s ''[[The Night of the Iguana]]'' which was staged here by the [[Cockpit Players]] in 1962. In his company of actors for these plays were [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Michael McGovern]], [[Margaret Inglis]], [[Marjorie Gordon]], [[Diane Wilson]] and [[Kerry Jordan]]. This saw the end of Schach’s lease of the Playhouse, and so the end of the [[Cockpit Players]]. The use of the Playhouse dwindled until it ceased to function as a theatre a year later. [[Leon Gluckman]] and [[Colin Fish]] presented Sir Donald and Lady Wolfit (the actress Rosalind Iden) in an evening of Shakespeare at the Playhouse in 1962. Wolfit and the producers replaced the programme with Ibsen’s ''[[The Master Builder]]'' when ticket sales dwindled. [[Brian Brooke]]’s ''[[Pyjama Tops]]'' was staged here in 1963. It starred [[Shirley Firth]] and [[John Hayter]]. **** (Tucker, 1997)
  
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=== Sources ===
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= [[The Playhouse]], Somerset West =
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[[Percy Tucker]], 1997
 
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=== For more information ===
 
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== [[The Playhouse]], Somerset West ==
 
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The  was founded in 1947
 
  
 
The [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]] ([[HHDS]]) established in 1947, opened '''The [[Playhouse]]''' on 26th May 1973. Designed by [[Harry Hargreaves]], the original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. The workshop was added at a later stage and then finally the Green room.
 
The [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]] ([[HHDS]]) established in 1947, opened '''The [[Playhouse]]''' on 26th May 1973. Designed by [[Harry Hargreaves]], the original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. The workshop was added at a later stage and then finally the Green room.
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All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and their reputation as one of the leading dramatic societies in the Peninsula was established.  
 
All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and their reputation as one of the leading dramatic societies in the Peninsula was established.  
  
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Over the past 12 years, more improvements have been made to the theatre 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.
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Over several years, more improvements have been made to the theatre 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.
  
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So here they are, in the 21st century, with the Society still intact and moving ever onwards.
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'''For more information, see [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]].'''
  
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=== Sources ===
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= [[The Playhouse]], East London =
  
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== [[The Playhouse]], East London ==
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Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], 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.
  
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Later known as '''[[The Alexander Playhouse]]''' it is a theatre venue in East London.
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'''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].'''
  
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==Founding, function and history==
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= Sources =
  
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Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] ([[DRAMSOC]]) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been  founded, it was designed by architect [[Bennie Shapiro]] and was originally called '''[[The Playhouse]]'''. Later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]], after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]].
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'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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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.
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[[Malcolm Woolfson]], 1986. The Long Road that led towards the Natal Playhouse. Durban : The Natal Performing Arts Council.)
  
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During the period that the [[Guild Theatre]] was closed for refurbishments, [[Lynette Alexander]] and her daughter [[Michele Bandenburger]] introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue.
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[[Marilyn Martin]], 1995 (Catalogue: [[W.M. Timlin]])
  
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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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[[Percy Tucker]], 1997
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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]].
 
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==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]].
 
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== Sources ==
 
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'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/)
 
  
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 
= Return to =
 
= Return to =
−
 
  
 
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 22:15, 10 May 2026

Over the years a number of theatres and cinemas have used the term Playhouse or Playhouse Theatre as their name (or part of it).

The Playhouse Theatre, Cape Town

The original name of De Hollandsche Kerk Zaal ("Dutch Church Hall"), a church hall built on Kerkplein, Cape Town in 18** , was bought/rented by ** in 19** and renamed the Playhouse Theatre.

An intimate venue, it was described as "cool, well lit and comfortably furnished" in a review by the Burger of 4 October 1915, though Bosman (1928) differed later, calling it "utterly unsuitable". It was used by local amateurs and professionals.

In 1916 it became the Afrikaanse Koffiehuis, to be used as a venue for concerts, skits and performances, including the famous Koffiehuiskonserte.

For more information, see Afrikaanse Koffiehuis.

The Playhouse, Durban

The name of two theatres in Durban:

For more information, the Natal Playhouse.

The Playhouse Theatre, Johannesburg

Situated in Braamfontein, had its inaugural production in October 1960 was For Love or Money, by Adam Leslie. Michael Finlayson directed this show starring Leslie himself, Joan Blake, Olive King, and comedian Garth Meade. Leonard Schach’s production of The Aspern Papers ran here after their season at the Hofmeyr Theatre in 1960. Michael Redgrave’s adaptation of this Henry James story saw the British actress Flora Robson in the lead opposite Canadian actor Robert Beatty. In December 1960 Leonard Schach announced he had signed a two-year lease with the Playhouse. Schach’s Cockpit Players maintained a high standard at the Playhouse in 1961 with Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker with Siegfried Mynhardt, Michael McGovern and Nigel Hawthorne, and Paddy Chayefsky’s prizewinning The Tenth Man, starring the same actors. Schach did William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker here in 1961, starring Reinet Maasdorp and Fiona Fraser. Leonard Schach presented Beyond the Fringe here in 1962, starring New Zealand-born Kerry Jordan and David Beattie. Leonard Schach directed Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, followed by Tennessee Williams’s The Night of the Iguana which was staged here by the Cockpit Players in 1962. In his company of actors for these plays were Siegfried Mynhardt, Michael McGovern, Margaret Inglis, Marjorie Gordon, Diane Wilson and Kerry Jordan. This saw the end of Schach’s lease of the Playhouse, and so the end of the Cockpit Players. The use of the Playhouse dwindled until it ceased to function as a theatre a year later. Leon Gluckman and Colin Fish presented Sir Donald and Lady Wolfit (the actress Rosalind Iden) in an evening of Shakespeare at the Playhouse in 1962. Wolfit and the producers replaced the programme with Ibsen’s The Master Builder when ticket sales dwindled. Brian Brooke’s Pyjama Tops was staged here in 1963. It starred Shirley Firth and John Hayter. **** (Tucker, 1997)

The Playhouse, Somerset West

The Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society (HHDS) established in 1947, opened The Playhouse on 26th May 1973. Designed by Harry Hargreaves, the original building consisted of a control room, auditorium, a small foyer on the west side, the stage and dressing room. The workshop was added at a later stage and then finally the Green room.

All through this period some exciting theatre was produced and their reputation as one of the leading dramatic societies in the Peninsula was established.

Over several years, more improvements have been made to the theatre 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.

For more information, see Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society.

The Playhouse, East London

Originally built as a rehearsal venue for the Dramatic Society of East London (DRAMSOC) in 1963, eleven years after the society had been founded, it was designed by architect Bennie Shapiro and was originally called The Playhouse. Later re-named The Alexander Playhouse, 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.

For more information, see Alexander Playhouse.

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/)

Malcolm Woolfson, 1986. The Long Road that led towards the Natal Playhouse. Durban : The Natal Performing Arts Council.)

Marilyn Martin, 1995 (Catalogue: W.M. Timlin)

Percy Tucker, 1997

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

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