Difference between revisions of "Amateur Theatre in South Africa"

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'''Currently being edited'''
 
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=Introduction=
  
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[[Amateur Theatre in South Africa]] has been an integral feature of the development of the performing arts across South Africa over several hundred years, functioning as a creative, social and recreational activity within local communities, but also often in response to the absence of a regular or established professional industry within a particular locale.  
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[[Amateur Theatre]] has been an integral feature of the development of the performing arts across South Africa over several hundred years, functioning as a creative, social and recreational activity within local communities, but also often in response to the absence of a regular, established or sustainable professional industry within a particular locale.  
  
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In the 20th and 21st centuries, in the South African context, amateur theatre has often acted as a nursery for the professional arts industry, where artists from smaller centres across the country discover and develop their craft before moving to the larger metropolitan centres to seek out part-time or full-time employment as performing arts practitioners.  
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While evidence of amateur theatrics can be found for the colonial and post-colonial eras, it is widely acknowledged that aspects of drama existed in the lives of ordinary South Africans prior to the arrivals of settlers, soldiers and slaves in the mid 17th century. Such amateur dramatics would have featured within the rituals, pageantry and oral story-telling traditions of South Africa's black and first nation communities.
  
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For the purposes of exploring the development of amateur theatre in South Africa, the following time-frame is used:
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Traditions of organised amateur theatre performances emerged alongside the movement of peoples across South Africa in key historic events, such as the Great Trek (1830s to 1850s), the British occupation of Natal (1843) and Kaffraria (1847), the discovery of diamonds (1870s to 1900) and the discovery of gold (the mid 1880s), and as a by-product of the newly established colleges and universities around the country. The advent of permanent cinema (at the start of the 20th century) and television (in 1976) in South Africa impacted the support of amateur theatre.
  
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1. The pre-colonial period (before 1652)
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In the 20th century, productions by amateur performers reflected the fractured political nature of South African society,  with works ranging from [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] operettas in city centre theatre complexes to [[protest theatre]] in township halls.  
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2. The colonial period (1652-1910)
 
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3. The Union of South Africa (1910-1948)
 
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4. The Republic of South Africa (1948-1994)
 
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5. Post-Apartheid South Africa (1994-present)
 
  
 +
Amateur theatre has also often acted as a nursery for the professional arts industries, where artists from smaller centres across the country discover and develop their craft before moving to the larger metropolitan centres to seek out part-time or full-time employment as performing arts practitioners.
  
 +
=Terminology: [[Amateur]] and [[Amateur Theatre]]=
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 +
In general terms, the word [[Amateur|amateur]] derives from the French term ''amateur'' (derived from the verb ''aimer'' = to love, hence someone who loves something). Thus, used as a noun, an '''amateur''' is someone who undertakes something for the love of it, not for financial gain. This as opposed to a [[Professional|professional]]. As an adjective it can refer to a person or activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)
 +
 +
[[Amateur|Amateur theatre]] thus, simply means theatre made by people who are not professionals, sinmply for the love of it. This encompasses a very wide range of performance activities of course, over the ages, cultures and geographical regions.
 +
 +
=Overview of amateur theatre in South Africa=
 +
 +
In order to accommodate the range of amateur theatre organisations across South Africa, this overview is categorised according to geographic location, using the nine current provinces as reference points:
 +
 +
* Eastern Cape
 +
* Free State
 +
* Gauteng
 +
* KwaZulu-Natal
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* Limpopo
 +
* Mpumalanga
 +
* North West
 +
* Northern Cape
 +
* Western Cape 
 +
 +
==Amateur theatre in the Eastern Cape==
 +
There is evidence of organised performances by amateurs in the Eastern Cape region from 1837. British settlers and former soldiers began settling in the areas around Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown in 1820, and the annexation of the region known as Kaffraria by the British (in 1835 and again in 1847) saw a further influx of soldiers and European settlers. These groups brought with them traditions of popular European theatre and other entertainments. As towns and cities became established and grew, so too did the frequency of amateur performances and societies, with the greatest number seen in the larger centres of Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) and East London (originally called Port Rex in 1836, then London in 1848, then East London later that same year).
 +
 +
At least four amateur organisations in the Eastern Cape have been active for more than 70 years: the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] (1932-2024, re-named in 2024 as [[Impact Community Theatre Company]]); the [[Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society]] (since 1945); the [[Port Elizabethse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging]] (1951-2004, since 2005 as [[ATKV-tak PEAAT]]); and the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (since 1952).
 +
 +
In the 1980s and early 1990s, [[CAPAB]] co-produced a number of productions with the amateur societies in East London (such as [[Arts Theatre Club]] and [[Dramatic Society of East London]]) and Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) (such as [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]). These were typically musicals that were mostly directed by [[David Matheson]], and regularly featured an imported professional in the lead role. Productions included ''[[South Pacific]]'' (starring [[Ge Korsten]]), ''[[Hello, Dolly!]]'' (starring [[Judy Page]]).
 +
 +
===East London===
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 +
 +
Amateur theatre in East London in the 20th century was championed by a number of key figures, including [[Mary Howe]], [[Mary Kockott]], [[Hazel Tennant]], [[Lynette Alexander]] and [[George Mountjoy]].
 +
 +
Early live performances took place at the [[Vaudette Theatre]] (cinema) in Argyle Street, the [[Cameo Theatre]] in Cambridge and the [[Gaiety Theatre]] in Oxford Street, though performances by amateurs typically took place in the [[East London City Hall]] (inaugurated in 1899), the [[John Bisseker Hall]] and at [[St Saviour's Hall]].
 +
 +
In 1953, the [[East London Theatre Guild Association]] was established to raise funds for the building of a theatre. Members of the association came from affiliated societies from around the city, including the [[Afrikaner Klub]], [[Association of Arts]], [[Church Drama Club]], [[Dramatic Society of East London]], [[Komga Drama Club]], [[Technical College Drama Club]], [[Philharmonic Society]] and [[East London Music and Variety Club]]. Funds raised by the association, together with contributions from government and the local municapilty, resulted in the building of the [[Guild Theatre]], which opened in October 1962. In 1965, the [[Orient Theatre]] was built near the Orient Beach.
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 +
'''For more information, see [[Guild Theatre]].'''
 +
 +
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
 +
* [[Arts Theatre Club]] (1962-)
 +
* [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (1952-)
 +
* [[East London Jewish Dramatic Society]]
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* [[East London Light Operatic Society]] (c.1970-1976)
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* [[East London Music and Variety Club]] (c.1954-1962)
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* [[East London Schools Music and Drama Association]] (c.1941)
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* [[East London Technical College Drama Club]] (1946-1962)
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* Die [[Mise-en-Scène Teatergroep]]
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* [[Oos-Londonse Afrikaanse Teatergroep]]
 +
 +
===Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)===
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 +
As far back as 1916, 1920 and 1937, concerts were staged in church halls and were a respected and accepted form of entertainment amongst Afrikaner communities. The [[Port Elizabethse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging]] ([[PEAAT]])was founded on March 22, 1951 by members of the PE West congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Newton Park, Port Elizabeth, and has been an active society ever since.
 +
 +
The Port Elizabeth amateur community benefited from several opportunities to work with seasoned and acclaimed professional performer-directors, like [[Will Jamieson]] (1950-1966), [[André Huguenet]] (1961) and [[Leslie French]] (1970-1975). 
 +
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
* [[Amateur Theatre Guild]] (1961-1962)
 +
* [[ATKV-tak PEAAT]] (2005-)
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* [[Impact Community Theatre Company]] (2024-)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatrical Society]]
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* [[Port Elizabeth Amateur Operatic Club]]
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* [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Club]] (1861-1864)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society]] (1840-1858)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] (1932-2024)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society]] (1945-)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] (1960-)
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* [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] (1962-1972)
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* [[Port Elizabethse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging]] (1951-2004)
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* [[The Company of Four]](?-1959)
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* [[Theatre Guild]] (1952-1959) 
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* [[Walmer Dramatic Society]] (1946-?)
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 +
===Graaff-Reinet===
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Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 +
* [[Graaff-Reinet Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society]]
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* [[Graaff-Reinetse Letterkundige en Toneel Vereniging]] (1915)
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 +
===Jansenville===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 +
* [[Jansenville Drama Vereniging]] (1959)
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 +
===Kariega (formerly Uitenhage)===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 +
* [[Uitenhage Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society]]
 +
 +
===Komani (formerly Queenstown) ===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 +
* [[Queenstown Theatrical Society]] (1963)
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 +
===Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown)===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
* [[Grahamstown Amateur Company]]/[[Theatrical Amateur Society]] (1837-1839)
 +
* [[Grahamstown Amateur Dramatic Society]]
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* [[Grahamstown Theatrical Amateur Company]] (1837-1850)
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* [[Graham's Town Dramatic Club]] (1864-)
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* [[Rhodes Dramatic Society]]
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* [[Theatrical Amateur Society]] (1837-1839)
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 +
===Middelburg===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
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* [[Middelburg Cultural Society]]
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 +
===Qonce (formerly King William's Town)===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
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* [[King William's Town Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society]] (1896)
 +
* [[King William's Town Dramatic Club]] (1860s)
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 +
===Stutterheim===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
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* [[Stutterheim Amateur Dramatic Society]]
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 +
==Amateur theatre in the Free State==
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===Bloemfontein===
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In Bloemfontein, [[Onze Taal]] ('Our Language') took the lead under the guidance of [[DF Malherbe]], among others. The local [[Grey-Universiteitskollege Toneelvereniging]] ([[Grey University College Dramatic Society]]), founded in 1907, was very active with their Afrikaans performances. [[Rose Ehrlich]], an elocution teacher from [[Grey College]], was actively involved with this organisation.
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'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
 +
 +
* [[Amateur Theatricals, Bloemfontein]] (1852)
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* [[Bloemfontein Amateur Dramatic Club]]/[[Bloemfontein Liefhebberij Dramatisch Gezelschap]] (1868)
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* [[Bloemfontein Literary and Scientific Society]]/[[Bloemfontein Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society]] (1877-1890)
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* [[Bloemfontein Repertory Society]] (1935)
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* [[Bloemfontein  Shakespeare Circle]] (1947)
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* [[Bloemfonteinse Teatergroep]] (1946)
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* [[Grey College Dramatic Society]] (1969)
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* [[Grey University College Dramatic Society]] (1907)
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* [[Onze Taal]] (1908)
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 +
===Fauresmith===
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 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 +
* [[Fauresmith Amateur Theatrical Company]] (1858)
 +
 +
===Harrismith===
  
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Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
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In this discussion of the general theme '''Amateur Theatre in South Africa''', the period 1652-1947 is primarily based on an entry written for [[ESAT]] by the author and academic [[P.J. du Toit|P.J. (Peet) du Toit]], based on his own comprehensive thesis and subsequent book on amateur theatre in South Africa.  For a more complete account of that particular period see: [[P.J. du Toit]] (1988). For some other aspects, see also '''[[South African Theatre/Overview]]'''.
+
* [[Amateur Dramatic Society, Harrismith]] (1875-1877)
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* [[Harrismith Amateur Comedy Company]] (1894)
  
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=[[Amateur]] and Amateur Theatre=
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==Amateur theatre in Gauteng==
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 +
===Benoni===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 
 +
* [[Benoni Combined Arts Group]]
 +
* [[Benoni Drama Circle]]
 +
 
 +
===Boksburg===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 
 +
* [[Boksburg Amateur Players]]
 +
 
 +
===East Rand===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 
 +
* [[Bareti Players]]
 +
* [[East Rand Theatre Club]] (1944)
 +
 
 +
===Eersterus===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 
 +
* [[Eersterus Dramavereniging]]/[[Eersterus Performing Arts Council]] ([[EPAC]]) or [[Eersterus Raad vir die Uitvoerende Kunste]] ([[ERUK]])
 +
 
 +
===Johannesburg===
 +
 
 +
The [[Johannesburg Repertory Players]] was founded on 15 November 1927 by [[Muriel Alexander]]. She studied in London under the well-known Beerbohm Tree and moved permanently to South Africa in 1916 where she founded the [[Alexander School of Drama and Elocution]].  She had a thorough professional background. However, nobody would have guessed that when she and her fifteen students founded the Reps in 1927, the society would grow to 4000 members in 1955. This Reps was also founded with the aim to perform pieces the public would not otherwise get to see. Their first performance was ''[[R.U.R]]'' (''[[Rossum’s Universal Robots]]'').
 +
 
 +
Acclaim for the Reps’ high standard of work soon followed. In 1932, [[African Consolidated Theatres]] (a purely commercial group) asked them to perform ''[[Dangerous Corner]]'' under its guidance in [[His Majesty’s Theatre]]. In 1933, they also performed ''[[Arms and the Man]]'' there. During their first ten years they performed 66 plays, of which [[Muriel Alexander]] directed 35. In the early 1940s, the Reps used other directors, like [[Joan Heymann]], [[Gwen ffrangcon-Davies]], [[Marda Vanne]], [[Nan Munro]], [[Margaret Inglis]] and [[André Huguenet]].
 +
 
 +
In 1951, the society opened its own [[Reps Theatre]], which was renamed the [[Alexander Theatre]] in 1960, in honour of its founder. Hereafter the group became professional with [[Anthony Farmer]] as director and manager. Amateur performances continued through the [[Reps Associate Players]], which was later known under the name [[Repertory Amateur Players]] (Raps).
 +
 
 +
The development of an amateur theatre organisation into a group with professional status with its own theatre is something unique in South Africa’s theatre history. The influence of the [[Johannesburg Repertory Players]] during the 1930s and 1940s can never be underestimated.
 
   
 
   
−
In general terms, the word [[Amateur|amateur]] derives from the French term ''amateur'' (derived from the verb ''aimer'' = to love, hence someone who loves something). Thus, used as a noun, an '''amateur''' is someone who undertakes something for the love of it, not for financial gain. This as opposed to a [[Professional|professional]]. As an adjective it can refer to a person or activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)
+
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
 +
* [[African Theatre Workshop]]
 +
* [[Bank Players]]
 +
* [[Bantu Dramatic Society]] (1933)
 +
* [[Dramateers]]
 +
* [[Franklin Players]] (1962-)
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* [[Hyde’s Amateur Opera Company]] (early 1900s)
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* [[Jewish Dramatic Society]] (1896)
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* [[Johannesburg Dramatic Society]] (1890)
 +
* [[Johannesburg Opera Company]] (early 1900s)
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* [[Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society]] (1919)
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* [[Johannesburg Repertory Players]] (1927)
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* [[Johannesburgse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelspelers]]
 +
* [[Johannesburgse Dramatiese Vereniging]]
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* [[Johannesburgse Toneelvereniging]]
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* [[Madame Ferreira’s Opera Company]]
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* [[Reps Associate Players]]/ [[Repertory Amateur Players Section]]/[[Repertory Amateur Players Society]]
 +
* [[St Mary’s Amateur Dramatic Society]] (1890s)
 +
* [[The Sandowners]]
 +
 
 +
===Kempton Park===
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Amateur societies over the years have included:
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 +
* [[Belltower Players]] (1997)/[[Kempton Arts and Theatrical Society]]
 +
* [[Kempton Music and Operetta Society]]
 +
 
 +
===Krugersdorp===
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 +
The [[Krugersdorp Dramatic Society]] was founded on 1 November 1928 on the initiative of [[Buster Harrison]]. Because of all the different interests of its members, its name was quickly changed to the [[Krugersdorp Dramatic and Operatic Society]]. On 27 July 1931 the Krugersdorp Council gave official recognition to the society and from then on the name was bilingual: [[Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society]] ([[KMDOS]])/[[Krugersdorpse Munisipale Vereniging vir Drama en Opera]]. On 12 January 1930 [[P.P.B. Breytenbach]], better known  as Breytie, became part of the committee. He actively campaigned for the performing of Afrikaans plays. From 1935, KMDOS annually performed at least two Afrikaans and two English public plays, but often more. Breytenbach was a supporter of General Hertzog’s political ideas and he thought that theatre was a way to unite English and Afrikaans communities.
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 +
KMDOS’s tenth birthday took place concurrently with the Simboliese Ossewatrek (a symbolic ox wagon trek to commemorate the Voortrekkers) which was an emotional experience for many Afrikaners. In Krugersdorp both language groups were involved in the festivities. The winning pieces of a bilingual playwright competition with the theme The Great Trek were performed in December 1938. They were ''[[Magdalena Retief]]'' by [[Uys Krige]] and ''[[Sword of the Wilderness]]'' by [[Winifred Dashwood]].
 +
 
 +
The start of the Second World War generated unplanned advantages for [[KMDOS]] and other theatrical groups. Because of changes in the entertainment industry many professional actors were available as directors: [[Lydia Lindeque]], [[Hermien Dommisse]], [[Leontine Sagan]], [[Siegfried Mynhardt]] and [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]].
 +
 
 +
The [[KMDOS]] contributed greatly to South African theatre. The playwrighting competitions of 1932, 1938 and 1949 made an important contribution to South African drama. Another distinction of KMDOS was that it combined all the facets of the theatre into one society and involved both the Afrikaans and English communities. The [[West Rand Symphony Orchestra]] was incorporated in 1948, with the well-known [[Anton Hartman]] as conductor. The society was then known as the [[Krugersdorp Municipal Theatrical and Orchestral Society]] [[[KMTOS]]]/[[Krugersdorpse Munisipale Teater- en Orkesvereniging]]. Its 21st anniversary was celebrated in 1949 with the performance of the winning pieces of a third playwrighting competition: ''[[Kleurskema]]'' ('Colour Scheme') by [[Anton de Waal]] and [[Vivian Styger]] and ''[[None but the Bold]]'' by [[Don F. Corbett]].
 +
 
 +
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
 +
* [[Krugersdorp Amateur Dramatic Society]] (1956)
 +
* [[Krugersdorp Dramatic and Operatic Club]] (1931)
 +
* [[Krugersdorp Dramatic Society]] (1928)
 +
* [[Krugersdorp Municipal Theatrical and Orchestral Society]] (1948)
 +
* [[Krugersdorpse Afrikaanse Toneel Organisasie]] (1954)
 +
 
 +
===Pretoria===
 +
 
 +
In Pretoria, the [[Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging]] ([[AHTV]]) (Afrikaans-Dutch Dramatic Society), founded in 1907, took the lead. The society’s management included [[Gustav Preller]], [[G. Wolmarans]], [[Jan F.E. Celliers]] and [[Harm Oost]]. The plays ''[[Ou’ Daniel]]'' ('Old Daniel') by [[Harm Oost]] and ''[[Piet s’n Tante]]'' ('Piet’s Aunt'), a translation of ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' by Brandon Thomas, were the society’s most popular plays during these years. Together with their leading actor, [[Stephanus Mare]], Preller and Oost raised the awareness of theatre in the countryside. For 12 years, Mare was constantly on stage and he can be seen as an important forerunner of the first professional Afrikaans actors.
 +
 
 +
In the 1920s, [[Stephanie Faure]] performed plays with students from the [[Transvaalse Universiteitskollege]] ('Transvaal University College', later the [[University of Pretoria]]).
 +
 
 +
Through a fortunate coincidence, in 1935 there were quite a number of trained drama enthusiasts in Pretoria: [[Leonie Pienaar]], dr [[W.H. van der Merwe]], [[P.J. du Toit]] and [[Hélène Güldenpfennig]]. Under the guidance of [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]], who shortly before was involved with the founding of [[KAT]] in Cape Town, these talents joined forces to form [[Ons Teatertjie-toneelgroep]] ('Our Little Theatre Drama Group'). By the end of 1936 its name was changed to [[Volksteater-vereniging]] (T'heatre Society for the Nation').
 +
 
 +
Already with its first performance, Ibsen’s ''[[Boumeester Solness]]'' (''[[The Master Builder]]''), it was evident that this group would deliver quality work. It approached new writers like [[J.F.W. Grosskopf]], [[F.W.S. Schumann]], [[Fritz Steyn]], [[Van Wyk Louw]], [[H.A. Fagan]], [[Gerhard Beukes]] and [[W.A. de Klerk]] and performed their new dramas. Although not all the plays were of equal standard, it was evident that [[Volksteater]] was a kind of experimental theatre organisation. The society existed until the 1970s.
 +
 
 +
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
 +
* [[Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging]] (1907)
 +
* [[Dinkteater]]
 +
* [[Eendrag Toneelvereniging]] (1920s)
 +
* [[Goue Rand Toneelvereniging]] (1920s)
 +
* [[Ons Teatertjie]] (1935)/[[Volksteater]] (1936)
 +
* [[Pretoria Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society]] (1883 - 1899, 1903 - )
 +
* [[Pretoria Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society]]
 +
* [[Pretoria Dramatic Club]]/[[Pretoria Musical and Dramatic Society]] (1873)
 +
* [[The Lodge Players]]
 +
* [[Universiteit van Pretoria Toneelvereniging]]
 +
* [[Volkstoneel]]
 +
 
 +
===Roodepoort===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
 
 +
* [[Roodepoort Amateur-toneelorganisasie]]
 +
 
 +
==Amateur theatre in KwaZulu-Natal==
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 +
In 1635, a group of stranded Portuguese soldiers on the Natal coast commemorated their patron saint’s day by performing a comedy. This is an early example of a performance by amateurs in South Africa.
 +
 
 +
===Durban===
 +
 
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
* [[Durban Amateur Grand Opera Society]] (1928)
 +
* [[Durban Amateur Operatic Society]] (1886)
 +
* [[Durban Municipal Light Operatic and Choral Society]]
 +
* [[Glee Club]] (1843)
 +
* [[New Electric Club]] (before 1869)
  
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[[Amateur|Amateur theatre]] thus, simply means theatre made by people who are not professionals, sinmply for the love of it. This encompasses a very wide range of performance activities of course, over the ages, cultures and geographical regions.
+
===Kokstad===
  
−
However, in this article the examples of "[[Amateur|Amateur theatre]]" and  "[[Amateur|Theatricals]]" used merely to illustrate the general trend of the history and thus tends to refer largely to dramatic performances of high quality, or to influential organisations, which had taken place or worked in the absence of any, or of an adequate, [[Professional|Professional theatre]] organisation [which is managed according to business principles] or of a state-sponsored theatre body.  During the period under discussion [1652 - 1947 and even later,  till 1960] there were of course also numerous other dramatic organisations of a lesser quality, which formed part of leisure activities in various parts of the country. Many of these are listed in the main body of this encyclopaedia, this section is simply an attempt at giving some kind of framework within which amateur theatre (in all its guises) evolved and flourished in South Africa. Because of the specific origins of the notions [[Amateur]] and [[Professional]], the following outline discussion focuses mainly on the performances by Afrikaans/Dutch and English speakers in South Africa, from what has come to be known as a [[European|Eurocentric]] perspective.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
=The pre-colonial era (before 1652)=
+
* [[Kokstad Amateur Dramatic Society]]
−
 
−
It is indeed so that the indigenous nations of South Africa, like the Khoi-Khoi and other African nations, also practised activities similar to Western plays, long before the first European settlers came to South Africa. The Khoi-Khoi have records of hunting expedition depictions with strong dramatic suspense. These examples, however, don’t fit into this article’s European perspective. They do however justify their own unique investigation because they are examples of drama as ritual.
 
  
−
Drama as ritual is also found in the traditional literature of the African (Black) nations of South Africa. [[Credo Mutwa]] shows that the original forms of black theatre included “simple but highly-skilled and highly organised story telling by an expert storyteller to actual enactment of stories by trained players of both sexes which was performed on sacred occasions in ties of peace.” These performances took place in the open air at a sacred place or a designated site. According to H.I.E. Dhlomo many of the praise songs and other poetic creations of the African nations were in fact traditional plays. The funeral of a deceased chief was an example of a drama in five acts: the death, the funeral, the mourning service, the purification and the spiritualisation.
+
===Pietermaritzburg===
  
−
In 1635 a group of stranded Portuguese soldiers on the Natal coast commemorated their patron saint’s day by performing a comedy. This was probably the first time a dramatic activity in the western tradition was performed in South Africa. A real theatre tradition however would only begin more than a century later.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
=The colonial era (1652 - 1910)=
+
* [[Amateur Dramatic Society, Pietermaritzburg]] (1865)
  
−
== Before 1855 ==
+
===Westville===
  
−
There is no indication that there were any public performances in the southern tip of Africa during the 17th century. The Cape was a halfway refreshment station between The Netherlands and Batavia [Indonesia] and the labour force probably had no need for theatre. It was mostly the affluent who went to the theatre. By the seventies of the 18th century there was still no public entertainment in Cape Town. However, a form of popular theatre did exist, because on the first day of each month little plays were performed to entertain the soldiers.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
The American War of Independence [1776 - 1783] changed the Cape in terms of social and cultural life. France had an agreement with the Netherlands to send 2000 to 3000 soldiers to Cape Town to defend it in the event of an attack. The pleasure-seeking soldiers of the Garrison turned Cape Town into a ‘Little Paris’. They turned their casern into a theatre and performed plays with a great spirit of enterprise. These performances, which were whole-heartedly supported by local young society ladies, can be seen as the beginning of theatre in the Cape.
+
* [[Westville Theatre Club]]
  
−
This boom would only be continued in 1800 with the First British Occupation [1795 – 1802]. The British troops were very aware of the shortage of diversion in a Dutch community who was also antagonistic towards them. A group of enterprising officers were enthusiastic theatre players and they performed plays in a part of their hospital. The specially adapted part of the hospital became known as the Garrison Theatre. Soon this theatre was too small to accommodate all the interest and activities  and building on South Africa’s first theatre started in 1800: the African Theatre or Afrikaansche Schouwburg. It was used as a theatre until 1839 and is now known as the St Stephen’s Church. The various language groups formed their own dramatic societies and performed in the theatre. The English groups were stimulated from time to time by visiting professional players on their way to the East.
+
==Amateur theatre in Limpopo==
  
−
After the Second British Occupation [1806] the Dutch population organised their own performances with permanent amateur members. The key societies from this period were:
+
==Amateur theatre in Mpumalanga==
−
Tot Lering en Vermaak, later known as Tot Nut en Vermaak [1803 - 1847] under J.G. Tredoux;
 
−
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense [1803 - 1828] with the well-known C.E. Boniface as their leader;
 
−
Vlyt en Kunst  [1834 - 1838] and
 
−
Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Geselschap [founded in 1849], which in the second half of the 19th century grew into the most important Dutch society.
 
  
−
The English community followed this pattern and founded the English Theatricals [1823 - 1830], which was revived as the British Amateur Company under the guidance of H Booth, a professional player, from 1834 to 1838.
+
===Ermelo===
  
−
Eventually dramatic societies were formed in other towns as well, like Stellenbosch, Paarl, Grahamstown, and King Williamstown. Later English dramatic societies were founded in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Bloemfontein. The Voortrekkers, who moved to the interior during this period, didn’t have a theatre tradition. They came from the rural and border areas of the Cape of Good Hope where theatre activities were unknown.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
It is clear however that until 1855 there was no real amateur theatre tradition in the areas outside Cape Town. The only performances of note were given in Cape Town.
+
* [[Ermelose Dramatiese Vereniging]] ("The Ermelo Dramatic Society") (1930s)
  
−
== 1856 - 1899 [1902] ==
+
==Amateur theatre in the North West==
  
−
In the period from 1856 until the eve of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899, South Africa not only changed economically, socially and politically, but the nature of entertainment also changed. All these changes were caused by two events: firstly the discovery of diamonds in the Northern Cape and Orange Free State in 1867, 1870 and 1871, and secondly the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1886. The latter brought about a great economic boom after a period of depression, which had started in 1881, mainly because of the serious smallpox epidemic in Cape Town and Kimberley.
+
==Amateur theatre in the Northern Cape==
  
−
The influx of adventurers to the diamond diggings and gold fields  stimulated not only trade in the surrounding areas, but also provided an eager audience in need of any form of entertainment. This new desire greatly influenced South Africa’s entertainment industry.
+
==Amateur theatre in the Western Cape==
  
−
Before the discovery of diamonds and gold, professional groups on their way to Australia usually stopped over in Cape Town and gave only a few performances. Now, however groups travelled specially to South Africa and visited the towns in the interior.
+
===Bellville===
  
−
Since the public in Cape Town was exposed to quality performances by professional groups, the amateur groups had to live up to this standard in order to get support. The quality of the plays in the Garrison Theatre reached a high point between 1861 and 1871.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
Dutch theatre on the other hand received no external influence and during this period there was no noteworthy progress in this regard in Cape Town. However, another form of theatre started to develop, namely Afrikaans theatre. This arose from an increasing awareness of Afrikaner identity.
+
* [[Bellvillese Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging]]  (1951)
 +
* [[Dramatic Society of Bellville Training College]] (1970s-1980s)
  
−
The first Afrikaans theatrical performance probably took place in a house in Daljosefat in the Paarl district under the guidance of D.F. du Toit, better known as ‘Oom Lokomotief’ [Uncle Locomotive]. The performance took place in the early 1860s, and was later repeated in Montagu. Two pieces were performed, of which one was called De Jonge Kunstskilder (The Young Artist). They were translated from Dutch because no Afrikaans plays existed as yet.
+
===Cape Town===
  
−
There are records of theatrical activities in many towns like Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom and Pretoria from 1860, but their quality was not as good as those in Cape Town.
+
'''The Seventeenth Century'''
  
−
Nonetheless the boom in the Afrikaans community and the founding of the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners [GRA] (The Association of Real Afrikaners) in 1871 couldn’t prevent the domination of English Theatre. The English amateur groups followed the example of professional groups and performed sentimental and melodramatic plays.
+
There is no indication that there were any public performances in the southern tip of Africa during the 17th century. At this time, the Cape was a halfway refreshment station between The Netherlands and Batavia (Indonesia).  
  
 +
'''The Eighteenth Century'''
  
−
= Dramatics and Operatics, 1903 - 1925 =
+
In the 1770s, performances were regularly given (on the first day of each month) as entertainments for the garrisoned soldiers at the Cape. The American War of Independence (1776 - 1783) had changed the Cape in terms of social and cultural life as France had an agreement with the Netherlands to send 2000 to 3000 soldiers to Cape Town to defend it in the event of an attack. These pleasure-seeking soldiers of the Garrison turned Cape Town into a ‘Little Paris’, converting their casern into a theatre and performed plays with a great spirit of enterprise.
  
 +
Similar performances continued in 1800 during the First British Occupation (1795 – 1802). The British troops were very aware of the shortage of diversion in a Dutch community who was also antagonistic towards them. A group of enterprising officers were enthusiastic theatre players and they performed plays in a part of their hospital. The specially adapted part of the hospital became known as the [[Garrison Theatre]].
  
−
The Anglo-Boer War [1899 - 1902] was at first a setback for South African Theatre. Fortunately, in cities like Pretoria and Johannesburg this was only temporarily, and the war situation brought about a new potential theatre audience.
+
'''The Nineteenth Century'''
  
−
On 5 June 1900, 24 432 British privates and 1088 officers entered Pretoria. In 1902, 4500 uitlanders (European foreigners, usually men from the working class) arrived in Johannesburg and another 31 026 in 1903. Because of these numbers, professional theatre soon took off again. Groups like the Wheeler Brothers and impresarios like Frank de Jong and Leonard Rayne were very active. Rayne eventually became South Africa’s most successful  impresario and dominated local theatre for 20 years until his death in 1925.
+
The [[Garrison Theatre]] was too small to accommodate all the interest and activities and building on South Africa’s first theatre started in 1800: the [[African Theatre]] or [[Afrikaansche Schouwburg]]. It was used as a theatre until 1839 and is now known as the St Stephen’s Church. The various language groups formed their own dramatic societies and performed in the theatre. The English groups were stimulated from time to time by visiting professional players on their way to the East.
  
−
Though professional groups dominated the first 20 years of the 20th century, there were also amateur groups who performed musicals and light opera, for example Johannesburg’s Hyde’s Amateur Opera Company and the Johannesburg Opera Company. In other cities, however, dramatic and musical groups were combined into one society. The two best-known groups were the Cape Town Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and the Pretoria Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, which were both founded shortly after the end of the Anglo-Boer War. The latter consisted of both English and Dutch-speaking players.
+
After the Second British Occupation (1806), the Dutch population organised their own performances with permanent amateur members. The key societies from this period were: [[Tot Leering en Vermaak]], later known as [[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] [1803 - 1847] under [[J.G. Tredoux]]; [[Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense]] (1803 - 1828) with the well-known [[C.E. Boniface]] as their leader; [[Vlyt en Kunst]] [1834 - 1838] and [[Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap]] (founded in 1849), which in the second half of the 19th century grew into the most important Dutch society.
  
−
Because Milner repatriated 1400 Dutch people from Pretoria to Holland after the Anglo-Boer War, the Dutch societies eventually lost their livelihood. Thereafter the Afrikaans-speaking societies came to the fore.
+
The English community followed this pattern and founded the [[English Theatricals]] (1823 - 1830), which was revived as the [[British Amateur Company]] under the guidance of [[H. Booth]], a professional player, from 1834 to 1838.
  
−
In Cape Town Melt Brink and J.H.H. de Waal were the pioneers of the development of Afrikaans amateur theatre. This awakening was connected to the so-called Second Afrikaans Language Movement, which had been promoted by De Waal through his magazine De Goede Hoop (The Good Hope) since 1903. Because of this, by 1910 there were Afrikaans performances right across the country and even permanent theatrical groups in the cities. In the smaller towns plays were performed by well-organised debating societies, and theatre in the countryside was promoted by the Christelike Jongeliede-Verenigings [CJV] (Christian Youth Societies).
+
'''The Twentieth Century'''
  
−
In Bloemfontein Onze Taal (Our Language) took the lead under the guidance of DF Malherbe, among others. The local Grey-Universiteitskollege Toneelvereniging (Grey University College Dramatic Society), founded in 1907, was very active with their Afrikaans performances.  
+
In Cape Town, [[Melt Brink]] and [[J.H.H. de Waal]] were the pioneers of the development of Afrikaans amateur theatre. This awakening was connected to the so-called Second Afrikaans Language Movement, which had been promoted by De Waal through his magazine ''De Goede Hoop'' ('The Good Hope') since 1903. Because of this, by 1910 there were Afrikaans performances right across the country and even permanent theatrical groups in the cities. In the smaller towns plays were performed by well-organised debating societies, and theatre in the countryside was promoted by the Christelike Jongeliede-Verenigings [CJV] (Christian Youth Societies).
  
−
In Pretoria the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging [AHTV] (Afrikaans-Dutch Dramatic Society), founded in 1907, took the lead. The society’s management included Gustav Preller, G. Wolmarans, Jan F.E. Celliers and Harm Oost. The plays Ou’ Daniel (Old Daniel) by Harm Oost and Piet s’n Tante (Piet’s Aunt), a translation of Charlie’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas, were the society’s most popular plays during these years. No other Afrikaans theatrical society consistently gave performances of such high quality during 1907 and 1918. Together with their leading actor, Stephanus Mare, Preller and Oost raised the awareness of theatre in the countryside. For 12 years Mare was constantly on stage and he can be seen as an important forerunner of the first professional Afrikaans actors.
+
The [[Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society]] [Reps] was founded in 1920. The main aim of this society was to perform pieces of literary, artistic and educational value for the public. The group’s first performance was ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'', which was performed on 6 August and was hugely successful. For many years the Reps in Cape Town delivered performances of a very high standard. During the 30s and 40s it was their policy to perform six plays per year. Their performances were of a high quality because they could often make use of professional directors and players. In 1939, in collaboration with the [[Johannesburg Repertory Players]], [[Leontine Sagan]] was invited to work as their director. From 1931, the Reps could also use the [[University of Cape Town]]’s [[Little Theatre]], with the result that they could use professional technicians. The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society was without a doubt the leading English theatrical society in Cape Town during this time.
  
 +
As a result of the initial work done by the [[Oranjeklub]] ('Orange Club') since 1915, there was by 1934 a big interest in Afrikaans Theatre in Cape Town. After [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]] performed [[P.W.S. Schumann]]’s ''[[Hantie kom Huistoe]]'' ('Hantie comes home') enthusiasm was so great that the [[Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging]] ([[KAT]]) (Cape Town Afrikaans Theatre Society) was founded on 13 May 1934, with [[H.A. Fagan]] as chairman.
  
−
=Repertoires and ‘Volksteaters’ (Theatres for the Nation) 1926 - 1947=
+
The [[KAT]] began promisingly by performing unpublished as well as translated plays. After the establishment of [[KAT]] there existed for the first time a real indication of an Afrikaans theatrical life in Cape Town in so far as a single amateur organisation could create one. Several new dramas were performed for the first time by [[KAT]]. The society’s continuation over 21 years proved that there was a need for a professional Afrikaans company in Cape Town.
  
 +
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
  
−
From 1926 to 1947 was a period of great change in the theatre world for professional as well as amateur societies. The twenties was the era of the silent film, which had a negative impact on the dramatic arts worldwide. But with the arrival of sound film in 1929 the cinema’s popularity increased even more. Many professional stage theatres were turned into movie theatres. In order to compete with the cinema, existing professional drama groups performed popular and melodramatic pieces, resulting in a superficialisation of quality.
+
* [[Amateur Company]]/[[Garrison Amateur Company]] (after 1823)
 +
* [[Bergvliet Dramatic Society]] (1953)
 +
* [[Boscawen Amateurs]]
 +
* [[British Amateur Company]] (1834 to 1838)
 +
* [[Camps Bay Operatic and Dramatic Society]] (1958)
 +
* [[Cape Flats Players]] (1973)
 +
* [[Cape Town Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society]] (early 1900s)
 +
* [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] (1947)
 +
* [[Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society]] (1920)
 +
* [[Cape Town Theatrical Club]]/[[Cape Town Dramatic Club]]/[[Alfred Dramatic Club]]/[[Royal Alfred Dramatic Club]]/[[Cape Town and Royal Alfred Dramatic Club]]
 +
* [[Christelike Jongeliedenvereniging]] (1890s)
 +
* [[City Amateur Theatrical Society]] (1854)
 +
* [[Club Dramatic Company]]
 +
* [[Door Yver Vruchtbaar]] (1826-1827, 1843-1844)
 +
* [[Dramatic Recital Society]] (1870s)
 +
* [[Dramatic Society of Hewat College]] (1970s-1980s)
 +
* [[Dramatic Society of the University of the Western Cape]] (1970s)
 +
* [[Dramavereniging Lavis]]
 +
* [[English Theatricals]] (1799-1819; 1823 - 1825)
 +
* [[EOAN Group]]
 +
* [[Fish Hoek Dramatic Society]] (1953)
 +
* [[Geselschap van Toneelliefhebbers]] (1809)
 +
* [[Het Fransche Liefhebbery Geselschap]]/[[Les Amateurs de l'Isle de France]] (1803-1809)
 +
* [[Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap]] (1849)
 +
* [[Highland Amateur Party]]
 +
* [[Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense]] (1803 - 1828)
 +
* [[Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging]] [[KAT]] ([[Cape Town Afrikaans Theatre Society]]) (1934)
 +
* [[Lanarkshire Dramatic Club]] (1868)
 +
* [[Miss Rowlands's Theatre Company]]
 +
* [[Muizenberg Amateur Dramatic Society]] (1978)
 +
* [[Musical and Dramatic Society]] (1880s)
 +
* [[Naval Amateur Company]] (1826)
 +
* [[Peninsula Dramatic Society]] (1951 - 1964)
 +
* [[People's Theatre]]
 +
* [[Private Amateur Company]] (1834-1837, 1847)
 +
* [[Ravensmead People's Theatre]]
 +
* [[Sons of England Dramatic Society]] (1952)/[[Claremont Dramatic Society]] (1994)
 +
* [[Theatre Players]]
 +
* [[Tot Leering en Vermaak]]/[[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] (1803 - 1847)
 +
* [[UCT Dramatic Society]] (1940s)
 +
* [[Vlyt en Kunst]]/[[South African Amateur Company]] (1834 - 1838)
 +
* [[Woodstock Amateur Operatic Society]]
 +
* [[Young Men’s Institute Amateur Christy’s]]
  
−
In reaction to this popularisation, well-organised theatrical societies were formed in the big cities “with the holy ideal of holding the torch of drama aloft” as Thelma Gutsche put it. Were it not for these societies’ activities, interest in drama would have disappeared completely during the thirties and forties.
+
===Ceres===
  
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
== English-speaking drama societies, 1926 - 1947 ==
+
* [[Ceres Amateur Toneelvereniging]] (1974)
  
 +
===George===
  
−
At first the English-speaking societies took the lead, because when the first professional Afrikaans groups were established in 1925, all theatrical energy went into them. Only when professional theatre turned into an aimless competition between all the different splinter groups and quality dwindled, were Afrikaans societies, with an interest in quality, again formed.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
Following the contemporary fashion from England, in most cities and big towns a Repertory society were formed, which performed popular dramas, in contrast to the Little Theatres. Of all the different societies, the Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society and the Johannesburg Repertory Players played decisive roles in South Africa’s theatre history.
+
* [[George Society of Arts]] (1948)
  
 +
===Heidelberg===
  
−
=== Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society ===
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
 +
* [[Heidal Drama Organisation]]
  
−
The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society [Reps] was founded in 1920. The main aim of this society was to perform pieces of literary, artistic and educational value for the public. The group’s first performance was The Merchant of Venice, which was performed on 6 August and was hugely successful.
+
===Milnerton===
−
For many years the Reps in Cape Town delivered performances of a very high standard. During the 30s and 40s it was their policy to perform six plays per year.  Their performances were of a high quality because they could often make use of professional directors and players. In 1939, in collaboration with the Johannesburg Repertory Players, Leontine Sagan was invited to work as their director. From 1931 the Reps could also use the University of Cape Town’s Little Theatre, with the result that they could use professional technicians.
 
  
−
The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society was without a doubt the leading English theatrical society in Cape Town during this time.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
 +
* [[Milnerton Players]]
  
−
=== Johannesburg Repertory Players ===
+
===Oudtshoorn===
  
 +
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
The Johannesburg Repertory Players [Reps] was founded on 15 November 1927 by Muriel Alexander. She studied in London under the well-known Beerbohm Tree and moved permanently to South Africa in 1916 where she founded the Alexander School of Drama and Elocution.  She had a thorough professional background. However, nobody would have guessed that when she and her fifteen students founded the Reps in 1927, the society would grow to 4000 members in 1955. This Reps was also founded with the aim to perform pieces the public would not otherwise get to see.
+
* [[Oudtshoorn Drama Organisasie]]
 +
* [[Oudtshoorn Dramatic Society]]
  
−
Muriel Alexander managed to inspire a passion for theatre in her followers and the Reps’ performances were always of an excellent quality. Their first performance was R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universals Robots]. This performance is the reason that traffic lights in South Africa are called ‘robots’. The play was performed when the Johannesburg city council was busy installing the city’s first traffic lights.
+
===Paarl===
  
−
Acclaim for the Reps’ high standard of work soon followed. In 1932 African Consolidated Theatres [a purely commercial group] asked them to perform Dangerous Corner under its guidance in His Majesty’s Theatre. In 1933 they also performed Arms and the Man there.
+
Afrikaans theatre started to develop as a form of theatre, arising from an increasing awareness of Afrikaner identity and also encouraged by the founding of the [[Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners]] ([[GRA]]) ('The Association of Real Afrikaners') in Paarl in 1875.  
  
−
During their first ten years they performed 66 plays, of which Muriel Alexander directed 35. In the early forties the Reps used other directors, like Joan Heymann, Gwen ffrangcon-Davies, Marda Vanne, Nan Munro, Margaret Inglis and André Huguenet.
+
The first Afrikaans theatrical performance probably took place in a house in Daljosefat in the Paarl district under the guidance of [[D.F. du Toit]], better known as ‘Oom Lokomotief’ (Uncle Locomotive). The performance took place in the early 1860s, and was later repeated in Montagu. Two pieces were performed, of which one was called ''[[De Jonge Kunstskilder]]'' ('The Young Artist'). The plays were translated from Dutch as no plays had been written in Afrikaans at that point.
  
−
The Standard Theatre was always seen as the actual home of Theatre in Johannesburg. The fact that the Reps was asked to perform there during the Second World War contributed to their already high standard of quality. During these years their membership number was limited to 1400 - the number of seats available in the Standard Theatre - and there was even a waiting list.
+
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
  
−
In 1951 the society opened its own Reps Theatre, which was renamed the Alexander Theatre in 1960, in honour of its founder. Hereafter the group became professional with Anthony Farmer as director and manager. Amateur performances continued through the Reps Associate Players, which was later known under the name Repertory Amateur Players [Raps].
+
* [[Paarl Theatre Club]] (1951)
  
−
The development of an amateur theatre organisation into a group with professional status with its own theatre is something unique in South Africa’s theatre history. The influence of the Johannesburg Repertory Players during the 30s and 40s can never be underestimated.
+
===Plettenberg Bay===
−
 
−
At a time when Johannesburg was preoccupied with thinking about the gold in the ground, the Reps supplied a different kind of gold. Not only did they provide entertainment but they also gave intellectual stimulation. They pointed the way, and others followed. They trained and contributed excellent talent to the English-speaking stage.
 
−
 
−
== Theatre activities by the Afrikaners, 1926 - 1947 ==
 
  
−
In the Afrikaans-speaking community the practice of dramatic art for its own sake took place in the circles of the university colleges during the 20s. These activities were usually in the hands of very capable people. In Stellenbosch they were under the guidance of [[J.F.W. Grosskopf]], in Bloemfontein [[Rose Ehrlich]], an elocution teacher from [[Grey College]], was the inspiration and in Pretoria [[Stephanie Faure]] performed plays with students from the Transvaalse Universiteitskollege (Transvaal University College, later the University of Pretoria).
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
−
 
−
Theatrical organisations like those in the English-speaking community were only established in the thirties. There were two reasons for this. As mentioned before, the first Afrikaans professional groups were only established in 1925 and most actors devoted their time and energy to these groups.
 
  
−
Political development also played a role. After the Statute of Westminster in 1931 and with General Hertzog’s motto ‘South Africa first’ in everyone’s mind, there existed a new spirit in the cultural life of the Afrikaner. Their aspiration was to create a culture on par with other western culture groups. This aspiration was most evident in Cape Town and Pretoria, with Cape Town leading the way.
+
* [[Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society]] (2013-)
  
−
=== Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging [KAT] (Cape Town Afrikaans Theatre Society) ===
+
===Robertson===
  
−
As a result of the initial work done by the Oranjeklub (Orange Club) since 1915, there was by 1934 a big interest in Afrikaans Theatre in Cape Town. After Anna Neethling-Pohl performed P.W.S. Schuman’s Hantie kom Huistoe (Hantie comes home) enthusiasm was so great that the Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging [KAT] (Cape Town Afrikaans Theatre Society) was founded on 13 May 1934, with H.A. Fagan as chairman.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
The KAT began promisingly by performing unpublished as well as translated plays.  After the establishment of KAT there existed for the first time a real indication of an Afrikaans theatrical life in Cape Town in so far as a single amateur organisation could create one. Several new dramas were performed for the first time by KAT. The society’s continuation over 21 years proved that there was a need for a professional Afrikaans company in Cape Town.
+
* [[Robertson Drama Group]]
  
 +
===Simonstown===
  
−
=== Ons Teatertjie (Our Little Theatre) and Volksteater (Theatre for the nation) in Pretoria ===
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
−
 
  
−
Through a fortunate coincidence, in 1935 there were quite a number of trained drama enthusiasts in Pretoria: Leonie Pienaar, dr W.H. van der Merwe, P.J. du Toit and Hélène Güldenpfennig. Under the guidance of Anna Neethling-Pohl, who shortly before was involved with the founding of KAT in Cape Town, these talents joined forces to form Ons Teatertjie-toneelgroep (Our Little Theatre Drama Group). By the end of 1936 its name was changed to Volksteater-vereniging (Theatre Society for the Nation)
+
* [[Anchor Players]] (1947-)
  
−
Already with its first performance, Ibsen’s Boumeester Solness (The Master Builder), it was evident that this group would deliver quality work. It approached new writers like J.F.W. Grosskopf, F.W.S. Schumann, Fritz Steyn, Van Wyk Louw, H.A. Fagan, Gerhard Beukes and W.A. de Klerk and performed their new dramas. Although not all the plays were of equal standard, it was evident that Volksteater was a kind of experimental theatre organisation.
+
===Somerset West===
−
 
−
The writer W.E.G .Louw said the following about the society’s first ten years: “This one society did more than any other in our country to uplift the standard of Afrikaans Theatre to a phase where it was not only good, but also in many ways positively comparable to the work of older, more established and above all wealthier English dramatic societies in the big cities.”
 
  
−
During the first ten years Anna Neethling-Pohl was the heart and soul of Volksteater. After 1945 she joined the South African Broadcast Corporation [SABC].  When the National Theatre Organisation [NTO] was established in 1947, Volksteater was no longer the only torchbearer of the Afrikaans dramatic arts in the Transvaal province. Though the society existed until the seventies, it never again reached the heights attained in its first ten years.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
 +
* [[Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society]] (1948)
  
−
=== The Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society - a society with a difference ===
+
===Stellenbosch===
−
 
  
−
The societies discussed until now, were either exclusively English or Afrikaans. In the same period, however, there was also a dynamic society in Krugersdorp that in many ways differed from other societies, but eventually played a significant role in South Africa’s theatre history.
+
In the Afrikaans-speaking community, the practice of dramatic art for its own sake took place in the circles of the university colleges during the 1920s. In Stellenbosch, such activities were under the guidance of [[J.F.W. Grosskopf]].
  
−
The Krugersdorp Dramatic Society was founded on 1 November 1928 on the initiative of Buster Harrison. Harrison became the treasurer and a local school principal, E. Gitsham, the chairman. Because of all the different interests of its members, its name was quickly changed to the Krugersdorp Dramatic and Operatic Society. On 27 July 1931 the Krugersdorp Council gave official recognition to the society and from then on the name was bilingual: Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society [KMDOS] / Krugersdorpse Munisipale Vereniging vir Drama en Opera. On 12 January 1930 P.P.B. Breytenbach, better known  as Breytie, became part of the committee. He actively campaigned for the performing of Afrikaans plays. From 1935 KMDOS annually performed at least two Afrikaans and two English public plays, but often more.
+
'''Amateur societies over the years have included:'''
  
−
Breytenbach was a supporter of General Hertzog’s political ideas and he thought that theatre was a way to unite English and Afrikaans communities.
+
* [[Breughel Teatergroep]]
 +
* [[Door Yver Vruchtbaar]] (1833 - 1838)
 +
* [[Klein Libertas Teatervereniging]]
 +
* [[Libertas Teaterklub]]
 +
* [[Universiteit Stellenbosch Amateurteater]]/[[University of Stellenbosch Amateur Theatre]]
  
−
KMDOS’s tenth birthday took place concurrently with the Simboliese Ossewatrek (a symbolic ox wagon trek to commemorate the Voortrekkers) which was an emotional experience for many Afrikaners. In Krugersdorp both language groups were involved in the festivities. The winning pieces of a bilingual playwright competition with the theme The Great Trek were performed in December 1938. They were Magdalena Retief by Uys Krige and Sword of the Wilderness by Winifred Dashwood.
+
===Wolseley===
  
−
Another important event took place during these festivities, namely the founding of the Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa [FATSA]. Though no Afrikaans societies attended its foundation meeting, many Afrikaans groups later affiliated with them and FATSA then became a bilingual organisation
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
  
−
Though FATSA was an autonomous organisation, it was an inextricable extension of KMDOS. P.P.B. Breytenbach was the chairman of both societies.  FATSA gave Breytenbach a second mouthpiece with which he could introduce his ideals outside the borders of Krugersdorp.
+
* [[Môrester Amateur Toneelgroep]]
 +
* [[Witzenberg Youth for the Performing Arts]]/[[Wolseley Youth for the Performing Arts]] (1984)
  
−
The start of the Second World War generated unplanned advantages for KMDOS and other theatrical groups. Because of changes in the entertainment industry many professional actors were available as directors: Lydia Lindeque, Hermien Dommisse, Leontine Sagan, Siegfried Mynhardt and Anna Neethling-Pohl. The latter endorsed  Breytenbach’s ideals and realised that they had a common goal: the creation of a national theatre.
+
===Worcester===
  
−
The KMDOS contributed greatly to South African theatre. The playwrighting competitions of 1932, 1938 and 1949 made an important contribution to South African drama.
+
Amateur societies over the years have included:
 +
* [[Dramatic Society of Worcester]] (1986)
 +
* [[Parklane Amateur Toneelvereniging]] (1979)
 +
* [[Worcesterse Kultuurvereniging]]
  
−
Another distinction of KMDOS was that it combined all the facets of the theatre into one society and involved both the Afrikaans and English communities. The West Rand Symphony Orchestra was incorporated in 1948, with the well-known Anton Hartman as conductor. The society was then known as the Krugersdorp Municipal Theatrical and Orchestral Society [KMTOS] / Krugersdorpse Munisipale Teater- en Orkesvereniging. Its 21st anniversary was celebrated in 1949 with the performance of the winning pieces of a third playwrighting competition: Kleurskema (Colour Scheme) by Anton de Waal and Vivian Styger and None but the bold by Don F Corbett.
+
=National amateur theatre organisations=
  
−
The role Krugersdorp played in South Africa’s theatre history is directly linked to [[P.P.B. Breytenbach]]. At a time when professional theatre, and Afrikaans professional theatre in particular, was in a chaotic state, he recognized how amateur theatre could contribute to a nation’s cultural development. Through his personal and energetic endeavours the National Theatre Organisation [NTO] was established in 1947 and FATSA was asked to launch the project. Breytenbach left Krugersdorp in 1952 in order to be the full time manager of the NTO in Pretoria.
+
National amateur theatre organisations have included:
  
−
When keeping in mind that these performing arts councils included all Afrikaans and English theatre, ballet, music and opera, it is not so farfetched to see the Krugersdorp society as a prototype of the councils and their predecessor, the NTO. After the African National Congress [ANC] came to power in 1994, the provincial performing arts councils were disbanded.
+
===[[Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging]] ([[ATKV]]) (1936)===
  
−
=Organising the Amateurs: FATSA (1938-1960)=
+
The Afrikaans Language and Culture Association established to promote, support and encourage the use of Afrikaans and cultural participation by Afrikaans-speakers among its members and the South African Afrikaans community. Events promoting amateur theatre in Afrikaans include:
  
−
Another important event took place in 1938, during the KMDOS celebrations, namely the founding of the [[Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa]] [FATSA]. Though no Afrikaans societies attended its foundation meeting, many Afrikaans groups later affiliated with them and so FATSA became a bilingual organisation. It was the first umbrella society to combine all the amateur theatre societies nationally. FATSA celebrated its 21st anniversary in 1959, but was disbanded in 1960 when state-sponsored performing arts councils were established in each of the then four provinces.
+
[[ATKV Amateur Toneelkompetisie]] ("ATKV Amateur Play Competion")
  
 +
[[ATKV Kampustoneel]] ("ATKV Campus Theatre")
  
 +
[[ATKV Tienertoneelkompetisie]] ("ATKV Theatre Competition for Teenagers")
  
 +
[[Afrikaanse Toneel vir Onderwyskolleges]]
  
−
=The Republic of South Africa (1948-1994)=
+
===[[Association for Performing Arts]] (1987)===
  
−
TO BE WRITTEN
+
===The [[Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa]] [[FATSA]] (1938-1960)===
 +
Founded in 1938. Though no [[Afrikaans]] societies attended its foundation meeting, many [[Afrikaans]] groups later affiliated with them and so [[FATSA]] became a [[bilingual]] ([[Afrikaans]]/English) organisation. It was the first umbrella society to combine all the amateur theatre societies nationally. [[FATSA]] celebrated its 21st anniversary in 1959, but was disbanded in 1960 when state-sponsored performing arts councils were established in each of the then four provinces.
  
−
=Post-Apartheid South Africa (1994-present)=
+
'''For more information, see [[Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa]]'''.
  
−
TO BE WRITTEN
+
===The [[National Amateur Theatre Festival]]===
  
 +
===[[Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie Toneelgroep]] ("South African Police Theatre Group") ===
  
 +
===[[Swart Afrikaanse Gemeenskapstoneel (SAG)]] (“Black Afrikaans Community Theatre”)===
  
 
=Sources=
 
=Sources=
 +
 +
In this discussion, the period 1652-1947 is based in part on an entry written for [[ESAT]] by the author and academic [[P.J. du Toit|P.J. (Peet) du Toit]], based on his own comprehensive thesis and subsequent book on amateur theatre in South Africa.  For a more complete account of that particular period see: [[P.J. du Toit]] (1988).
  
 
[[Ludwig Wilhelm  Berthold Binge]]. 1969. ''Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950)''. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.
 
[[Ludwig Wilhelm  Berthold Binge]]. 1969. ''Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950)''. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.
Line 241: Line 567:
  
 
[[Olga Racster]]. 1951. ''Curtain up! The story of Cape Theatre''. Juta, Cape Town, 1951
 
[[Olga Racster]]. 1951. ''Curtain up! The story of Cape Theatre''. Juta, Cape Town, 1951
 +
 +
Beryl Bowie. 2005. ''East London - heart of Buffalo City''.
  
 
'''See also:''' [[South African Theatre/Overview]] and [[Professional|Professional theatre]]
 
'''See also:''' [[South African Theatre/Overview]] and [[Professional|Professional theatre]]
Line 247: Line 575:
  
 
=Return to=
 
=Return to=
−
 
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]]

Latest revision as of 11:54, 30 August 2024

Currently being edited

Contents

Introduction

Amateur Theatre has been an integral feature of the development of the performing arts across South Africa over several hundred years, functioning as a creative, social and recreational activity within local communities, but also often in response to the absence of a regular, established or sustainable professional industry within a particular locale.

While evidence of amateur theatrics can be found for the colonial and post-colonial eras, it is widely acknowledged that aspects of drama existed in the lives of ordinary South Africans prior to the arrivals of settlers, soldiers and slaves in the mid 17th century. Such amateur dramatics would have featured within the rituals, pageantry and oral story-telling traditions of South Africa's black and first nation communities.

Traditions of organised amateur theatre performances emerged alongside the movement of peoples across South Africa in key historic events, such as the Great Trek (1830s to 1850s), the British occupation of Natal (1843) and Kaffraria (1847), the discovery of diamonds (1870s to 1900) and the discovery of gold (the mid 1880s), and as a by-product of the newly established colleges and universities around the country. The advent of permanent cinema (at the start of the 20th century) and television (in 1976) in South Africa impacted the support of amateur theatre.

In the 20th century, productions by amateur performers reflected the fractured political nature of South African society, with works ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in city centre theatre complexes to protest theatre in township halls.

Amateur theatre has also often acted as a nursery for the professional arts industries, where artists from smaller centres across the country discover and develop their craft before moving to the larger metropolitan centres to seek out part-time or full-time employment as performing arts practitioners.

Terminology: Amateur and Amateur Theatre

In general terms, the word amateur derives from the French term amateur (derived from the verb aimer = to love, hence someone who loves something). Thus, used as a noun, an amateur is someone who undertakes something for the love of it, not for financial gain. This as opposed to a professional. As an adjective it can refer to a person or activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)

Amateur theatre thus, simply means theatre made by people who are not professionals, sinmply for the love of it. This encompasses a very wide range of performance activities of course, over the ages, cultures and geographical regions.

Overview of amateur theatre in South Africa

In order to accommodate the range of amateur theatre organisations across South Africa, this overview is categorised according to geographic location, using the nine current provinces as reference points:

  • Eastern Cape
  • Free State
  • Gauteng
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Limpopo
  • Mpumalanga
  • North West
  • Northern Cape
  • Western Cape

Amateur theatre in the Eastern Cape

There is evidence of organised performances by amateurs in the Eastern Cape region from 1837. British settlers and former soldiers began settling in the areas around Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown in 1820, and the annexation of the region known as Kaffraria by the British (in 1835 and again in 1847) saw a further influx of soldiers and European settlers. These groups brought with them traditions of popular European theatre and other entertainments. As towns and cities became established and grew, so too did the frequency of amateur performances and societies, with the greatest number seen in the larger centres of Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) and East London (originally called Port Rex in 1836, then London in 1848, then East London later that same year).

At least four amateur organisations in the Eastern Cape have been active for more than 70 years: the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society (1932-2024, re-named in 2024 as Impact Community Theatre Company); the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society (since 1945); the Port Elizabethse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging (1951-2004, since 2005 as ATKV-tak PEAAT); and the Dramatic Society of East London (since 1952).

In the 1980s and early 1990s, CAPAB co-produced a number of productions with the amateur societies in East London (such as Arts Theatre Club and Dramatic Society of East London) and Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) (such as Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society). These were typically musicals that were mostly directed by David Matheson, and regularly featured an imported professional in the lead role. Productions included South Pacific (starring Ge Korsten), Hello, Dolly! (starring Judy Page).

East London

Amateur theatre in East London in the 20th century was championed by a number of key figures, including Mary Howe, Mary Kockott, Hazel Tennant, Lynette Alexander and George Mountjoy.

Early live performances took place at the Vaudette Theatre (cinema) in Argyle Street, the Cameo Theatre in Cambridge and the Gaiety Theatre in Oxford Street, though performances by amateurs typically took place in the East London City Hall (inaugurated in 1899), the John Bisseker Hall and at St Saviour's Hall.

In 1953, the East London Theatre Guild Association was established to raise funds for the building of a theatre. Members of the association came from affiliated societies from around the city, including the Afrikaner Klub, Association of Arts, Church Drama Club, Dramatic Society of East London, Komga Drama Club, Technical College Drama Club, Philharmonic Society and East London Music and Variety Club. Funds raised by the association, together with contributions from government and the local municapilty, resulted in the building of the Guild Theatre, which opened in October 1962. In 1965, the Orient Theatre was built near the Orient Beach.

For more information, see Guild Theatre.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)

As far back as 1916, 1920 and 1937, concerts were staged in church halls and were a respected and accepted form of entertainment amongst Afrikaner communities. The Port Elizabethse Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging (PEAAT)was founded on March 22, 1951 by members of the PE West congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Newton Park, Port Elizabeth, and has been an active society ever since.

The Port Elizabeth amateur community benefited from several opportunities to work with seasoned and acclaimed professional performer-directors, like Will Jamieson (1950-1966), André Huguenet (1961) and Leslie French (1970-1975).

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Graaff-Reinet

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Jansenville

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Kariega (formerly Uitenhage)

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Komani (formerly Queenstown)

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown)

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Middelburg

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Qonce (formerly King William's Town)

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Stutterheim

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Amateur theatre in the Free State

Bloemfontein

In Bloemfontein, Onze Taal ('Our Language') took the lead under the guidance of DF Malherbe, among others. The local Grey-Universiteitskollege Toneelvereniging (Grey University College Dramatic Society), founded in 1907, was very active with their Afrikaans performances. Rose Ehrlich, an elocution teacher from Grey College, was actively involved with this organisation.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Fauresmith

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Harrismith

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Amateur theatre in Gauteng

Benoni

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Boksburg

Amateur societies over the years have included:

East Rand

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Eersterus

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Johannesburg

The Johannesburg Repertory Players was founded on 15 November 1927 by Muriel Alexander. She studied in London under the well-known Beerbohm Tree and moved permanently to South Africa in 1916 where she founded the Alexander School of Drama and Elocution. She had a thorough professional background. However, nobody would have guessed that when she and her fifteen students founded the Reps in 1927, the society would grow to 4000 members in 1955. This Reps was also founded with the aim to perform pieces the public would not otherwise get to see. Their first performance was R.U.R (Rossum’s Universal Robots).

Acclaim for the Reps’ high standard of work soon followed. In 1932, African Consolidated Theatres (a purely commercial group) asked them to perform Dangerous Corner under its guidance in His Majesty’s Theatre. In 1933, they also performed Arms and the Man there. During their first ten years they performed 66 plays, of which Muriel Alexander directed 35. In the early 1940s, the Reps used other directors, like Joan Heymann, Gwen ffrangcon-Davies, Marda Vanne, Nan Munro, Margaret Inglis and André Huguenet.

In 1951, the society opened its own Reps Theatre, which was renamed the Alexander Theatre in 1960, in honour of its founder. Hereafter the group became professional with Anthony Farmer as director and manager. Amateur performances continued through the Reps Associate Players, which was later known under the name Repertory Amateur Players (Raps).

The development of an amateur theatre organisation into a group with professional status with its own theatre is something unique in South Africa’s theatre history. The influence of the Johannesburg Repertory Players during the 1930s and 1940s can never be underestimated.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Kempton Park

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Krugersdorp

The Krugersdorp Dramatic Society was founded on 1 November 1928 on the initiative of Buster Harrison. Because of all the different interests of its members, its name was quickly changed to the Krugersdorp Dramatic and Operatic Society. On 27 July 1931 the Krugersdorp Council gave official recognition to the society and from then on the name was bilingual: Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society (KMDOS)/Krugersdorpse Munisipale Vereniging vir Drama en Opera. On 12 January 1930 P.P.B. Breytenbach, better known as Breytie, became part of the committee. He actively campaigned for the performing of Afrikaans plays. From 1935, KMDOS annually performed at least two Afrikaans and two English public plays, but often more. Breytenbach was a supporter of General Hertzog’s political ideas and he thought that theatre was a way to unite English and Afrikaans communities.

KMDOS’s tenth birthday took place concurrently with the Simboliese Ossewatrek (a symbolic ox wagon trek to commemorate the Voortrekkers) which was an emotional experience for many Afrikaners. In Krugersdorp both language groups were involved in the festivities. The winning pieces of a bilingual playwright competition with the theme The Great Trek were performed in December 1938. They were Magdalena Retief by Uys Krige and Sword of the Wilderness by Winifred Dashwood.

The start of the Second World War generated unplanned advantages for KMDOS and other theatrical groups. Because of changes in the entertainment industry many professional actors were available as directors: Lydia Lindeque, Hermien Dommisse, Leontine Sagan, Siegfried Mynhardt and Anna Neethling-Pohl.

The KMDOS contributed greatly to South African theatre. The playwrighting competitions of 1932, 1938 and 1949 made an important contribution to South African drama. Another distinction of KMDOS was that it combined all the facets of the theatre into one society and involved both the Afrikaans and English communities. The West Rand Symphony Orchestra was incorporated in 1948, with the well-known Anton Hartman as conductor. The society was then known as the Krugersdorp Municipal Theatrical and Orchestral Society [[[KMTOS]]]/Krugersdorpse Munisipale Teater- en Orkesvereniging. Its 21st anniversary was celebrated in 1949 with the performance of the winning pieces of a third playwrighting competition: Kleurskema ('Colour Scheme') by Anton de Waal and Vivian Styger and None but the Bold by Don F. Corbett.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Pretoria

In Pretoria, the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging (AHTV) (Afrikaans-Dutch Dramatic Society), founded in 1907, took the lead. The society’s management included Gustav Preller, G. Wolmarans, Jan F.E. Celliers and Harm Oost. The plays Ou’ Daniel ('Old Daniel') by Harm Oost and Piet s’n Tante ('Piet’s Aunt'), a translation of Charley’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas, were the society’s most popular plays during these years. Together with their leading actor, Stephanus Mare, Preller and Oost raised the awareness of theatre in the countryside. For 12 years, Mare was constantly on stage and he can be seen as an important forerunner of the first professional Afrikaans actors.

In the 1920s, Stephanie Faure performed plays with students from the Transvaalse Universiteitskollege ('Transvaal University College', later the University of Pretoria).

Through a fortunate coincidence, in 1935 there were quite a number of trained drama enthusiasts in Pretoria: Leonie Pienaar, dr W.H. van der Merwe, P.J. du Toit and Hélène Güldenpfennig. Under the guidance of Anna Neethling-Pohl, who shortly before was involved with the founding of KAT in Cape Town, these talents joined forces to form Ons Teatertjie-toneelgroep ('Our Little Theatre Drama Group'). By the end of 1936 its name was changed to Volksteater-vereniging (T'heatre Society for the Nation').

Already with its first performance, Ibsen’s Boumeester Solness (The Master Builder), it was evident that this group would deliver quality work. It approached new writers like J.F.W. Grosskopf, F.W.S. Schumann, Fritz Steyn, Van Wyk Louw, H.A. Fagan, Gerhard Beukes and W.A. de Klerk and performed their new dramas. Although not all the plays were of equal standard, it was evident that Volksteater was a kind of experimental theatre organisation. The society existed until the 1970s.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Roodepoort

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Amateur theatre in KwaZulu-Natal

In 1635, a group of stranded Portuguese soldiers on the Natal coast commemorated their patron saint’s day by performing a comedy. This is an early example of a performance by amateurs in South Africa.

Durban

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Kokstad

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Pietermaritzburg

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Westville

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Amateur theatre in Limpopo

Amateur theatre in Mpumalanga

Ermelo

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Amateur theatre in the North West

Amateur theatre in the Northern Cape

Amateur theatre in the Western Cape

Bellville

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Cape Town

The Seventeenth Century

There is no indication that there were any public performances in the southern tip of Africa during the 17th century. At this time, the Cape was a halfway refreshment station between The Netherlands and Batavia (Indonesia).

The Eighteenth Century

In the 1770s, performances were regularly given (on the first day of each month) as entertainments for the garrisoned soldiers at the Cape. The American War of Independence (1776 - 1783) had changed the Cape in terms of social and cultural life as France had an agreement with the Netherlands to send 2000 to 3000 soldiers to Cape Town to defend it in the event of an attack. These pleasure-seeking soldiers of the Garrison turned Cape Town into a ‘Little Paris’, converting their casern into a theatre and performed plays with a great spirit of enterprise.

Similar performances continued in 1800 during the First British Occupation (1795 – 1802). The British troops were very aware of the shortage of diversion in a Dutch community who was also antagonistic towards them. A group of enterprising officers were enthusiastic theatre players and they performed plays in a part of their hospital. The specially adapted part of the hospital became known as the Garrison Theatre.

The Nineteenth Century

The Garrison Theatre was too small to accommodate all the interest and activities and building on South Africa’s first theatre started in 1800: the African Theatre or Afrikaansche Schouwburg. It was used as a theatre until 1839 and is now known as the St Stephen’s Church. The various language groups formed their own dramatic societies and performed in the theatre. The English groups were stimulated from time to time by visiting professional players on their way to the East.

After the Second British Occupation (1806), the Dutch population organised their own performances with permanent amateur members. The key societies from this period were: Tot Leering en Vermaak, later known as Tot Nut en Vermaak [1803 - 1847] under J.G. Tredoux; Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (1803 - 1828) with the well-known C.E. Boniface as their leader; Vlyt en Kunst [1834 - 1838] and Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap (founded in 1849), which in the second half of the 19th century grew into the most important Dutch society.

The English community followed this pattern and founded the English Theatricals (1823 - 1830), which was revived as the British Amateur Company under the guidance of H. Booth, a professional player, from 1834 to 1838.

The Twentieth Century

In Cape Town, Melt Brink and J.H.H. de Waal were the pioneers of the development of Afrikaans amateur theatre. This awakening was connected to the so-called Second Afrikaans Language Movement, which had been promoted by De Waal through his magazine De Goede Hoop ('The Good Hope') since 1903. Because of this, by 1910 there were Afrikaans performances right across the country and even permanent theatrical groups in the cities. In the smaller towns plays were performed by well-organised debating societies, and theatre in the countryside was promoted by the Christelike Jongeliede-Verenigings [CJV] (Christian Youth Societies).

The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society [Reps] was founded in 1920. The main aim of this society was to perform pieces of literary, artistic and educational value for the public. The group’s first performance was The Merchant of Venice, which was performed on 6 August and was hugely successful. For many years the Reps in Cape Town delivered performances of a very high standard. During the 30s and 40s it was their policy to perform six plays per year. Their performances were of a high quality because they could often make use of professional directors and players. In 1939, in collaboration with the Johannesburg Repertory Players, Leontine Sagan was invited to work as their director. From 1931, the Reps could also use the University of Cape Town’s Little Theatre, with the result that they could use professional technicians. The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society was without a doubt the leading English theatrical society in Cape Town during this time.

As a result of the initial work done by the Oranjeklub ('Orange Club') since 1915, there was by 1934 a big interest in Afrikaans Theatre in Cape Town. After Anna Neethling-Pohl performed P.W.S. Schumann’s Hantie kom Huistoe ('Hantie comes home') enthusiasm was so great that the Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging (KAT) (Cape Town Afrikaans Theatre Society) was founded on 13 May 1934, with H.A. Fagan as chairman.

The KAT began promisingly by performing unpublished as well as translated plays. After the establishment of KAT there existed for the first time a real indication of an Afrikaans theatrical life in Cape Town in so far as a single amateur organisation could create one. Several new dramas were performed for the first time by KAT. The society’s continuation over 21 years proved that there was a need for a professional Afrikaans company in Cape Town.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Ceres

Amateur societies over the years have included:

George

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Heidelberg

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Milnerton

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Oudtshoorn

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Paarl

Afrikaans theatre started to develop as a form of theatre, arising from an increasing awareness of Afrikaner identity and also encouraged by the founding of the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners (GRA) ('The Association of Real Afrikaners') in Paarl in 1875.

The first Afrikaans theatrical performance probably took place in a house in Daljosefat in the Paarl district under the guidance of D.F. du Toit, better known as ‘Oom Lokomotief’ (Uncle Locomotive). The performance took place in the early 1860s, and was later repeated in Montagu. Two pieces were performed, of which one was called De Jonge Kunstskilder ('The Young Artist'). The plays were translated from Dutch as no plays had been written in Afrikaans at that point.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Plettenberg Bay

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Robertson

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Simonstown

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Somerset West

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Stellenbosch

In the Afrikaans-speaking community, the practice of dramatic art for its own sake took place in the circles of the university colleges during the 1920s. In Stellenbosch, such activities were under the guidance of J.F.W. Grosskopf.

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Wolseley

Amateur societies over the years have included:

Worcester

Amateur societies over the years have included:

National amateur theatre organisations

National amateur theatre organisations have included:

Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) (1936)

The Afrikaans Language and Culture Association established to promote, support and encourage the use of Afrikaans and cultural participation by Afrikaans-speakers among its members and the South African Afrikaans community. Events promoting amateur theatre in Afrikaans include:

ATKV Amateur Toneelkompetisie ("ATKV Amateur Play Competion")

ATKV Kampustoneel ("ATKV Campus Theatre")

ATKV Tienertoneelkompetisie ("ATKV Theatre Competition for Teenagers")

Afrikaanse Toneel vir Onderwyskolleges

Association for Performing Arts (1987)

The Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa FATSA (1938-1960)

Founded in 1938. Though no Afrikaans societies attended its foundation meeting, many Afrikaans groups later affiliated with them and so FATSA became a bilingual (Afrikaans/English) organisation. It was the first umbrella society to combine all the amateur theatre societies nationally. FATSA celebrated its 21st anniversary in 1959, but was disbanded in 1960 when state-sponsored performing arts councils were established in each of the then four provinces.

For more information, see Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa.

The National Amateur Theatre Festival

Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie Toneelgroep ("South African Police Theatre Group")

Swart Afrikaanse Gemeenskapstoneel (SAG) (“Black Afrikaans Community Theatre”)

Sources

In this discussion, the period 1652-1947 is based in part on an entry written for ESAT by the author and academic P.J. (Peet) du Toit, based on his own comprehensive thesis and subsequent book on amateur theatre in South Africa. For a more complete account of that particular period see: P.J. du Toit (1988).

Ludwig Wilhelm Berthold Binge. 1969. Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950). Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.

D.C. Boonzaier. 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1923. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

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

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.

Elizabeth Conradie. 1934. Hollandse skrywers uit Suid-Afrika. Deel 1 (1652-1875) 'n Kultuur-historische studie. Pretoria, J.H. de Bussy and Cape Town H.A.U.M..[2]

Elizabeth Conradie, 1949. Hollandse skrywers uit Suid-Afrika. Deel 2 (1875-1905) 'n Kultuur-historische studie. Pretoria, J.H. de Bussy and Cape Town H.A.U.M..[3]

H.I.E. Dhlomo. 1939. "Nature and variety of tribal drama" in Bantu Studies 13, 1939

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

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

Sydney Paul Gosher. 1988. A historical and critical survey of the South African one-act play written in English. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Pretoria: University of South Africa.

William Groom. 1899-1900. Drama in Cape Town. Cape Illustrated Magazine, 10(4): 478-481, 517-520, 547-552, 580-584, 640-643, 670-672, 706-708.

Arthur Hoffman and Anna Romain Hoffman. 1980. They Built a Theatre. The history of the Johannesburg Repertory Players. Johannesburg: Ad Donker.

Ingmar Koch. 1997. Het ochtendgloren boven Kaapstad. Nederlandse rederijkers in Kaapstad, Tydskrif vir Nederlands & Afrikaans. (4de Jaargang, Nommer 2. Desember)[4]

Loren Kruger 1999. The Drama of South Africa: Plays, Pageants and Publics Since 1910 London: Routledge

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce.

Credo Vusamazulu Mutwa. 1973. "On the theatre of Africa" in S’ketsh, Summer 1973

Olga Racster. 1951. Curtain up! The story of Cape Theatre. Juta, Cape Town, 1951

Beryl Bowie. 2005. East London - heart of Buffalo City.

See also: South African Theatre/Overview and Professional theatre

Go to: ESAT Bibliography

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