Difference between revisions of "Theatre Guild"

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There were at least four companies which went by a name including the phrase "'''[[Theatre Guild]]'''"  
 
There were at least four companies which went by a name including the phrase "'''[[Theatre Guild]]'''"  
  
''There is currently still some confusion in the records about the differences between the '''[[Theatre Guild]]''' (1951-1958),  the '''[[Amateur Theatre Guild]]''' (1961-1963) and the '''[[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]]''' (1962-) - and its relationship to the '''[[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]]'''''.
 
  
 
=THIS ARTICLE IS STILL BEING EDITED=
 
=THIS ARTICLE IS STILL BEING EDITED=
  
==The [[Theatre Guild]] - East London==
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Presented ''[[The Lady of the Rose]]'' in 1946.   
 
Presented ''[[The Lady of the Rose]]'' in 1946.   
  
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==The [[Theatre Guild]] - East London==
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The [[East London Theatre Guild Association]] was an organisation of local societies established to raise funds for the building of a theatre in East London, later called the [[Guild Theatre]].
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For more information, see the '''[[East London Theatre Guild Association]]'''
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== [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth  ==
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The [[Theatre Guild]] in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions, often on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the [[Theatre Guild]], the [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild]], and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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===Note:===
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Some sources suggest the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by cast members of ''[[King Lear]]'', but there is evidence of productions being presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] in the 1950s. According to the March 1985, edition of ''[[Scenaria]]'' magazine (Issue no 50) and Wright and Gubb's article in ''Shakespeare in Southem Africa'', [[The Company of Four]] assumed the name of the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] from 1951 till 1958 when it became the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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One source has Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members include [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Will Jamieson]], [[Gladys Baynes]], [[Helen Wilkins]] and [[Noel Cudmore]]. Another suggests founding "members" include  [[Christine Roberts]], [[George Jones]], [[Jill Shepherd]], [[Alan Williams]], and [[David Hemmings]].
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===The 1960 narrative:===
  
== [[Theatre Guild]] (or [[Amateur Theatre Guild]]) - Port Elizabeth ==
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Port Elizabeth's [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1960 by [[Helen Mann]], [[Bruce Mann]] and other members of the cast of ''[[King Lear]]'' which was produced at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] in that year. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name [[Amateur Theatre Guild]].
  
According to the March 1985, edition of ''[[Scenaria]]'' magazine (Issue no 50), [[The Company of Four]] assumed the name of the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] from 1951 till 1958 when it became the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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During their first year they produced ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]'', ''[[Tea and Sympathy]]'', and ''[[The Lark]]''. Hundreds of people were unable to see ''[[The Lark]]'' because the season, fully booked, could not be extended as no other suitable venue could be found. These four productions raised well over R4 000-00 for various charities.  
  
The [[Theatre Guild]] was inaugurated in 1951.
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The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.  
  
In 1952 the Guild, produced ''[[A Phoenix Too Far]]'', for [[The Company of Four]].
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By August 1962, the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was calling itself the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
  
In 1953 the Guild produced ''[[Private Lives]]'' as their entry for [[Pemads]] [[Salter's Cup]].
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From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the [[Red Cross]], the [[Hellenic Community]], the [[University of Port Elizabeth]] and [[The Company of Four]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing joint productions. From 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] began to operate independently, with the two organisations ([[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] and [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]) essentially absorbing the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
  
In 1954 their entry for the competition was ''[[ Sorry Wrong Number]]'' and in 1955 they entered ''[[The Snow Goose]]''. They also produced ''[[Home and Beauty]]'' for the [[Port Elizabeth Jewish Guild]].
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===Productions staged by the [[Theatre Guild]]:===
  
In 1956 the Guild produced ''[[Miranda]]''.
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1952: ''[[A Phoenix Too Frequent]]'' for [[The Company of Four]].
  
1957 saw the production of ''[[Hands Across the Sea]]'' for the [[Salter's Cup]].
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1953: ''[[Private Lives]]'' as their entry for [[Pemads]] [[Salter's Cup]].
  
The final production was ''[[A Child is Born]]'' in 1958.
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1954: ''[[Sorry, Wrong Number]]'' as their entry for [[Pemads]] [[Salter's Cup]].
  
== [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]]==
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1955: ''[[The Snow Goose]]''  as their entry for [[Pemads]] [[Salter's Cup]]. They also produced ''[[Home and Beauty]]'' for the [[Port Elizabeth Jewish Guild]].
  
The [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] was inaugurated in 1959 with the production of [[Dial M for Murder]] for [[The Company of Four]].
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1956: ''[[Miranda]]''.
  
1960 saw three productions, [[Rope]] and [[Our Town]] for the [[Juvenile Guidance Committee]], and [[King Lear]] for the [[Red Cross]].
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1957: ''[[Hands Across the Sea]]'' for the [[Salter's Cup]].
  
On May 10, 1960, the [[Shakespearean Festival]] was inaugurated and basically replaced the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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1958: ''[[A Child is Born]]''.
  
==The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]]
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1959: ''[[Dial M for Murder]]'' for [[The Company of Four]].
  
he [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was one of a few amateur theatre organizations in Port Elizabeth.
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1960: ''[[King Lear]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[Red Cross]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]], with [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Andre Huguenet]], [[Gordon Roberts]], [[Lorna Levenson]], [[Paddye Bunce]].
   
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=== Founding and early history ===
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1960: ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]''  for the [[Juvenile Guidance Committee]]
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1961:  ''[[The Lark]]'', ''[[Tea and Sympathy]]''
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1962: ''[[Five Finger Exercise]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]] (February 20 - 24), ''[[Rape of the Belt]]'', ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]], directed by [[David Barnett - producer]], with setting by [[Patsy Barnett]], with [[David Barnett]] (Willy Loman), [[Helen Mann]] (Linda), [[Brian Gaven]] (Biff), [[Colin Ward]] (Happy), [[Alan Williams]] (Bernard), [[Ursula Burnett]] (Woman), [[John Hamber]] (Charley), [[Raymond Howell]] (Uncle Ben), [[Gerry Baker]] (Howard Wagner), [[Antoinette Assemaine]] (Jenny), [[Tommy Walker]] (Stanley), [[Jill Shepherd]] (Miss Forsythe), [[Cynthia Harvey]] (Letta) and [[Rob Binnell]] (Waiter).
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1963: ''[[The Queen and the Rebels]]''
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1963: ''[[Hamlet]]'', presented by the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] for the [[Red Cross]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]]. Starring: [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Helen Wilkins]], [[Philip Jackson]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Jim Shorrock]].
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1964: ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[Hellenic Community]], directed by [[Will Jamieson]]. Starring [[John Hamber]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Helen Wilkins]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], and [[Gordon Roberts]].
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1964: ''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'' (for the [[P E Civic Theatre Fund]]),
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1965: ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'', presented by the [[Theatre Guild]] for the [[University of Port Elizabeth]]. Directed by [[Margaret Inglis]]. Starring [[John Hambler]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Clive Selley]], [[Derek Scarr]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Gordon Roberts]].
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===Productions staged jointly by the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]:===
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1966: ''[[The Mikado]]''
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1967: ''[[Oklahoma!]]''
  
Port Elizabeth's [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was founded in 1961 by members of the cast of ''[[King Lear]]'' which was produced in that year after the death of producer [[Andre Huguenet]]. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name [[Amateur Theatre Guild]]. During their first year they produced ''[[Our Town]]'', ''[[Rope]]'', ''[[Tea and Sympathy]]'', and ''[[The Lark]]''. Hundreds of people were unable to see ''[[The Lark]]'' because the season, fully booked, could not be extended as no other suitable venue could be found. These four productions raised well over R4 000-00 for various charities. Founding "members" included  [[Christine Roberts]], [[George Jones]], [[Jill Shepherd]], [[Alan Williams]], and [[David Hemmings]].
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1967: ''[[The King and I]]''  
  
=== Aims and function ===
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1968: ''[[Brigadoon]]''
  
The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.
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1969: ''[[The Student Prince]]''
  
=== Later status ===
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1969: ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', directed by [[Helen Mann]], with [[Edith Porter]], [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Colin Stevens]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Alice Krige]].
  
By August 1962, the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] was also calling itself the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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1970: ''[[The Desert Song]]''
  
According to the March 1985, edition of ''[[Scenaria]]'' magazine (Issue no 50), [[The Company of Four]] assumed the name of the [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] from 1951 till 1958 when it became the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]].
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1970: ''[[Twelfth Night]]'', directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
  
February 20 - 24, 1962: The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] produced ''[[Five Finger Exercise]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]].
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1971: ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'', directed by [[Leslie French]]. Starring: [[Jeremy Baylis]], [[Helen Mann]], [[Roy Williams]], [[Alf Porter]], [[Leslie French]].
  
August 14 - 18, 1962: ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'' was produced by the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]], at the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]]. Directed by [[David Barnett]] - Starring [[David Barnett]] (Willy Loman), [[Helen Mann]] (Linda), [[Brian Gaven]] (Biff), [[Colin Ward]] (Happy), [[Alan Williams]] (Bernard), [[Ursula Burnett]] (Woman), [[John Hamber]] (Charley), [[Raymond Howell]] (Uncle Ben), [[Gerry Baker]] (Howard Wagner), [[Antoinette Assemaine]] (Jenny), [[Tommy Walker]] (Stanley), [[Jill Shepherd]] (Miss Forsythe), [[Cynthia Harvey]] (Letta) and [[Rob Binnell]] (Waiter)..
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1972: ''[[Everyman]]''
  
April 16 - 23, 1963: The [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] staged ''[[Hamlet]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]]. The play was produced by [[Will Jamieson]] with all proceeds going towards the Red Cross.
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No further productions were staged under the name of the [[Theatre Guild]] after this.
  
 
= Sources =
 
= Sources =
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''The Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival'' - book, 1982.
 
''The Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival'' - book, 1982.
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Laurence Wright and Lin Gubb. 'A Tribute to "Stratford-on-Baakens": Thirty Years of the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival'. ''Shakespeare in Southem Africa'' Vol. 3. 1989. 1-8.
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 10:45, 16 August 2024

There were at least four companies which went by a name including the phrase "Theatre Guild"


THIS ARTICLE IS STILL BEING EDITED

Theatre Guild - Johannesburg

Presented The Lady of the Rose in 1946.

The Theatre Guild - East London

The East London Theatre Guild Association was an organisation of local societies established to raise funds for the building of a theatre in East London, later called the Guild Theatre.

For more information, see the East London Theatre Guild Association

Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth

The Theatre Guild in Port Elizabeth was an association that regularly staged amateur productions, often on behalf of other organisations. It operated in Port Elizabeth between 1952 and 1972, and over the years is billed variously as the Theatre Guild, the Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatre Guild, and the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

Note:

Some sources suggest the Amateur Theatre Guild was founded in 1960 by cast members of King Lear, but there is evidence of productions being presented by the Amateur Theatre Guild in the 1950s. According to the March 1985, edition of Scenaria magazine (Issue no 50) and Wright and Gubb's article in Shakespeare in Southem Africa, The Company of Four assumed the name of the Amateur Theatre Guild from 1951 till 1958 when it became the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

One source has Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild Foundation Members include Andre Huguenet, Will Jamieson, Gladys Baynes, Helen Wilkins and Noel Cudmore. Another suggests founding "members" include Christine Roberts, George Jones, Jill Shepherd, Alan Williams, and David Hemmings.

The 1960 narrative:

Port Elizabeth's Amateur Theatre Guild was founded in 1960 by Helen Mann, Bruce Mann and other members of the cast of King Lear which was produced at the Port Elizabeth Opera House in that year. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name Amateur Theatre Guild.

During their first year they produced Our Town, Rope, Tea and Sympathy, and The Lark. Hundreds of people were unable to see The Lark because the season, fully booked, could not be extended as no other suitable venue could be found. These four productions raised well over R4 000-00 for various charities.

The Amateur Theatre Guild was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.

By August 1962, the Amateur Theatre Guild was calling itself the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

From 1960 to 1966, the guild presented a number of productions for a variety of organisations and charities, including the Red Cross, the Hellenic Community, the University of Port Elizabeth and The Company of Four. From 1966 to 1971, the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild entered into an association with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, producing joint productions. From 1971, the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival began to operate independently, with the two organisations (Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival and Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society) essentially absorbing the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

Productions staged by the Theatre Guild:

1952: A Phoenix Too Frequent for The Company of Four.

1953: Private Lives as their entry for Pemads Salter's Cup.

1954: Sorry, Wrong Number as their entry for Pemads Salter's Cup.

1955: The Snow Goose as their entry for Pemads Salter's Cup. They also produced Home and Beauty for the Port Elizabeth Jewish Guild.

1956: Miranda.

1957: Hands Across the Sea for the Salter's Cup.

1958: A Child is Born.

1959: Dial M for Murder for The Company of Four.

1960: King Lear, presented by the Theatre Guild for the Red Cross, directed by Will Jamieson, with John Hamber, Helen Mann, Andre Huguenet, Gordon Roberts, Lorna Levenson, Paddye Bunce.

1960: Our Town, Rope for the Juvenile Guidance Committee

1961: The Lark, Tea and Sympathy

1962: Five Finger Exercise at the Port Elizabeth City Hall (February 20 - 24), Rape of the Belt, Death of a Salesman at the Port Elizabeth City Hall, directed by David Barnett - producer, with setting by Patsy Barnett, with David Barnett (Willy Loman), Helen Mann (Linda), Brian Gaven (Biff), Colin Ward (Happy), Alan Williams (Bernard), Ursula Burnett (Woman), John Hamber (Charley), Raymond Howell (Uncle Ben), Gerry Baker (Howard Wagner), Antoinette Assemaine (Jenny), Tommy Walker (Stanley), Jill Shepherd (Miss Forsythe), Cynthia Harvey (Letta) and Rob Binnell (Waiter).

1963: The Queen and the Rebels

1963: Hamlet, presented by the Amateur Theatre Guild for the Red Cross, directed by Will Jamieson. Starring: John Hamber, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Philip Jackson, Alf Porter, Jim Shorrock.

1964: The Taming of the Shrew, presented by the Theatre Guild for the Hellenic Community, directed by Will Jamieson. Starring John Hamber, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, and Gordon Roberts.

1964: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (for the P E Civic Theatre Fund),

1965: Much Ado About Nothing, presented by the Theatre Guild for the University of Port Elizabeth. Directed by Margaret Inglis. Starring John Hambler, Helen Mann, Clive Selley, Derek Scarr, Alf Porter, Gordon Roberts.

Productions staged jointly by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society:

1966: The Mikado

1967: Oklahoma!

1967: The King and I

1968: Brigadoon

1969: The Student Prince

1969: Romeo and Juliet, directed by Helen Mann, with Edith Porter, Jeremy Baylis, Colin Stevens, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Alice Krige.

1970: The Desert Song

1970: Twelfth Night, directed by Leslie French. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Leslie French.

1971: The Merchant of Venice, directed by Leslie French. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Leslie French.

1972: Everyman

No further productions were staged under the name of the Theatre Guild after this.

Sources

Sunday Tribune, February 11, 1962.

Evening Post, April 10, 1963.

Eastern Province Herald April 20, April 17, 1963.

Percy Tucker, 1997

The Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival - book, 1982.

Laurence Wright and Lin Gubb. 'A Tribute to "Stratford-on-Baakens": Thirty Years of the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival'. Shakespeare in Southem Africa Vol. 3. 1989. 1-8.

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