Difference between revisions of "Little Theatre"

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== As a general concept ==
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The term [[Little Theatre]] is found as (a) the name for a specific '''type''' of theatre venue as well as (b) a specific name for a '''particular venue''' (or even as the name for a company using such a venue).
  
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In [[Afrikaans]] term for '''[[Little Theatre]]''' is '''[[Kleinteater]]'''.
  
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= As a general concept =
  
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==The concept==
  
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Besides the generic and literal meaning of "a small theatre building", it is used to refer specifically to a small theatre for low-cost dramatic productions designed for a relatively limited audience, often dedicated to a small independent theatre used for experimental or avant-garde drama, or for non-commercial community productions by amateurs and students.
  
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The more ''avant garde'' meaning of the term is said to have come came into general use in the 20th century by the emergence of the "Little Theatre Movement" in the USA in 1912.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Movement]
  
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== As name of company or venue ==
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= As name of company or venue =
  
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There are/have been a number of [[Little Theatre]]s ('''[[Kleinteater]]s''') in South Africa. Among the more prominent are:
  
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== The Little Theatre, Cape Town==
  
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The Little Theatre is located within a multi-purpose venue built in 1931 by the [[University of Cape Town]] on the [[Hiddingh Campus]] in Orange Street, Cape Town. Over the years, the venue has been home to several companies, including The [[Little Theatre Company]],  The [[Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society]], The [[Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging]] ([[KAT]]).
  
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'''For more information, see [[UCT Little Theatre]].'''
  
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== Little Theatre, Durban ==
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This is a venue located at [[The Playhouse]] in Durban (used for a performance of [[Kessie Govender]]'s ''[[Working Class Hero]]'').
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'''For more  information, see [[Playhouse Theatre]].'''
  
 
== Little Theatres in Johannesburg ==
 
== Little Theatres in Johannesburg ==
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The name '''Little Theatre''' has been used many times in Johannesburg over the years to refer to a number of different venues.  
 
The name '''Little Theatre''' has been used many times in Johannesburg over the years to refer to a number of different venues.  
  
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Temple** EDIT!!! LITTLE THEATRE !!!
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=== The Little Theatre/ Die Kleinteater ''or'' The Library Theatre ===
  
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=== The Little Theatre/ Kleinteater ''or'' Library Theatre ===
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The [[Little Theatre]] (or ''Kleinteater'') was a performance venue at the Johannesburg Public Library. It later became known as the [[Library Theatre]] (or ''Biblioteekteater'' in Afrikaans). It opened in 1936. It was used by the [[Johannesburg Repertory Society]] ('''Johannesburg REPS''') and other producers, including [[Taubie Kushlick]], [[Margaret Inglis]], the [[National Theatre Organisation]], The [[Company of Three]] and [[The Children's Theatre]]. The theatre closed in 1983.
  
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Its official name was apparently the '''Little Theatre''' (or "Kleinteater"), but it became known as the '''Library Theatre''' (or '''Biblioteekteater''' in Afrikaans) since it was incorporated into the new Library-complex completed 1936. Used by the Johannesburg REPS as its venue from 1936 until 1941, and again on a part-time basis between 1945 and 1950?*. It is described by Percy Tucker as a “miserable apology for a theatre”, but it nevertheless provided a venue where work could be done in a time when venues were scarce. Shows seen there include ** The Library Theatre. Theatre situated in the Johannesburg Public Library.  Referred to by Percy Tucker as a miserable apology for a theatre. (Tucker, 1997: 17) Love on the Dole was directed by Taubie Kushlick in 1946 and brought here after an extended run in Benoni. Jean Cocteau’s The Eagle Has Two Heads was performed here in 1949 starring Taubie Kushlick and Leon Gluckman, with Percy Tucker working backstage. Leon Gluckman staged the revue Xmas Box at the Library towards the end of 1949. Herbert Kretzmer composed five of the songs and cast included Marjorie Gordon and Johann Nell. Taubie Kushlick produced and directed Graham Greene’s play, The Living Room, at the Library starring Anne McMenamin in 1955. Margaret Inglis produced and co-starred in Love in Idleness with John Hussey at the Library in 1955. JAATS secured the rights to premiere the poet and playwright Uys Krige’s Die Goue Ring for their Festival production at the Library in 1956. The National Theatre did Shaw’s Candida for their Festival production at the Library in 1956 starring Margaret Inglis in the title role. Their Afrikaans arm staged Dirk Opperman’s Periandros van Korinthe, directed by Anna Neethling-Pohl.  and a translation of Ferenc Molnar’s The Play’s the Thing (Gekonkel in die Nag), also directed by Neethling-Pohl, and also staged here for the Festival. Children’s Theatre staged Mango Leaf Magic for young audiences as their Festival production at the Library in 1956. Taubie Kushlick’s 1956 Christmans show, Listen to the Wind, was a children’s show for all ages. Starring Joyce Grant, Elizabeth Meyer, Brian Proudfoot, June Hern, Maureen Adair and Philip Birkinshaw, with sets by Pamela Lewis and staged at the Library Theatre. Cecil Williams’ production of The Strong Are Lonely was staged here in June 1957. The Company of Three presented the hard-hitting American drama, A Hatful of Rain, with Stuart Brown directing Marjorie Gordon, Ivan Berold and Jenny Gratus at the Library in 1957. Cecil Williams failed to draw audiences with Jean-Paul Sartre’s double bill, The Vicious Circle and The Respectable Prostitute at the Library in 1957. An anonymous author, later revealed to be the Rand Daily Mail theatre critic Lewis Sowden, wrote The Kimberley Train, which exposed the racist attitude of South African society. It was directed by Cecil Williams, and staged at the Library in 1958. Ruth Oppenheim directed German playwright Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening at the Library in 1960. She also directed A State of Innocence, written by Clive Hirschhorn and starring Marjorie Gordon and Johann Nell at the Library in 1960. Margaret Inglis and Robert Langford founded a new company circa 1962. Their first production was a revival of Gaslight at the Library in 1962. In July 1965 Children’s Theatre staged James Ambrose Brown’s The Three Wishes at the Library Theatre which proved to be their last production. Ian Bernhardt’s production of Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye, starring Fugard and Molly Seftel was staged at the Library in 1965. The Gilbert and Sullivan spoof called An Evening with Goldberg and Solomon was staged here in December 1967. **** (Tucker, 1997; Du Toit,  1988) [TH, JH]
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'''For more information, see [[Library Theatre]].'''
  
 
=== The Little Theatre, Corner House building  ===
 
=== The Little Theatre, Corner House building  ===
 
   
 
   
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In the Corner House building. It opened in November 1973 with the comedy Till Bed Do Us Part by Louis Ife. It starred and was presented by Louis and Barbara Kinghorn under direction by Rex Garner. Robert Kirby’s The Dot-Dash Show with Robert and Terry Lester was staged here in 1975. Later leased by Toerien-Firth and renamed '''[[Barnato Theatre]]''' circa 1976 and used by them. **** (Tucker, 1997)
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In the Corner House building. It opened in November 1973 with the comedy ''[[Till Bed Do Us Part]]'' by [[Louis Ife]]. It starred and was presented by Louis and [[Barbara Kinghorn]] under direction of [[Rex Garner]]. [[Robert Kirby]]’s The Dot-Dash Show with Robert and Terry Lester was staged here in 1975. Later leased by Toerien-Firth and renamed '''[[Barnato Theatre]]''' circa 1976 and used by them.  
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'''For more information, see [[Barnato Theatre]].'''
  
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=== The Little Theatre, Carlton Centre ===
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=== The Little Theatre, Carlton Centre (1983-1986)===
 
   
 
   
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Situated in the Carlton Centre in Marshall Street. It opened in December 1983.
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It was run by [[Delia Sainsbury]] and [[Keith Galloway]] as the performance space for their dance studio, [[The Dance Workshop]]. It closed when they moved their school to Mutual Square in Rosebank.
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'''For more information, see [[The Dance Workshop]].'''
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=== The Little Theatre,  Mutual Square, Rosebank (1987-1996)===
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This was the performance space attached to the [[Waybury Arts Centre]], run by  [[Delia Sainsbury]] and [[Keith Galloway]]. Sainsbury/Galloway relocated to Cape Town in 1992 to open the [[Waterfront Theatre School]], and the venue was sold. The venue closed in 1996.
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'''For more information, see [[Waybury Arts Centre]].'''
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== The Little Theatre, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) or [[PEMADS Little Theatre]] ==
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The Little Theatre is a small theatre venue located in Gqeberha's city centre. Originally known as the [[Loubser Hall]] and later as the [[Ford Little Theatre]]. Often referred to as [[PEMADS Little Theatre]] ([[PEMADS]] is the [[Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society]] which was based at the venue for many years until March 2024).
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'''For more information on the history of the venue, see [[Loubser Hall]].'''
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== [[Die Kleinteater]]/[[Unisa Little Theatre]], Pretoria ==
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The [[Unisa Little Theatre]] a uniquely designed classical drama theatre situated in the heart of Pretoria’s central business district. Designed by acclaimed South African architect, Norman Eaton, the theatre is fully equipped to support all fields of performing arts, and is considered one of the most established dance theatres in South Africa.
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Opened in 1961 and owned by the [[Transvaal Education Department]], the venue was used by the students of the [[Pretoria Educational Training College]]. In 1995, [[UNISA]] became the Theatre's owner, and became known as the [[Unisa Little Theatre]] when it was declared a Provincial heritage site in 2004.
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'''For more information, see [[Unisa Little Theatre]].'''
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=Sources=
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"Little theatre." Oxford Languages (Accessed 8 March 2025)[https://www.google.com/search?q=The+term+Little+Theatre&rlz=1C1GCER_enZA1129ZA1129&oq=The+term+Little+Theatre+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggEEAAYgAQYogQyCggFEAAYgAQYogQyCggGEAAYogQYiQUyCggHEAAYgAQYogTSAQk5MzQzajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBZuADJHMHheS&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8]
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"Little theater." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/little%20theater. Accessed 8 March 2025.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Movement
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Gosher, 1988
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Unisa
  
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Situated in the Carlton Centre in Marshall Street. It opened in December 1983. Delia Sainsbury and Keith Galloway staged a musical for children called Wooglebugs, Witches and Wonderful Things in 1983. **** (Tucker, 1997)
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http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=36483
  
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[[Port Elizabeth: A Social Chronicle to the End of 1945]] by [[Margaret Harradine]]. Published by E H Walton Packaging (Pty) Ltd., Port Elizabeth. Undated but known to have been printed in 1997.
  
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=== The Little Theatre,  Mutual Square, Rosebank ===
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https://johannesburg1912.com/2013/07/29/theatres-in-early-johannesburg/
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It was run by Delia Sainsbury and Keith Galloway and opened in February 1987 with Terrence Shank’s production of Sugar and Spice starring Bess Finney. It was renamed the Waybury for a short period circa 1991. Bess Finney’s production of Our Gracie was staged here in 1991. It closed in 1996. **** (Tucker, 1997)
 
  
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https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/About/What-we-do/Arts-&-culture/Unisa-Little-Theatre
  
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Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
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Tucker, 1997
  
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_(Cape_Town)
  
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Return to [[Main Page]]
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[[ESAT Bibliography I|Inskip]], 1972.
  
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https://www.uct.ac.za/about/arts/littletheatre/
  
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= 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]]
 +
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Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 +
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 23:16, 17 May 2026

The term Little Theatre is found as (a) the name for a specific type of theatre venue as well as (b) a specific name for a particular venue (or even as the name for a company using such a venue).

In Afrikaans term for Little Theatre is Kleinteater.

As a general concept

The concept

Besides the generic and literal meaning of "a small theatre building", it is used to refer specifically to a small theatre for low-cost dramatic productions designed for a relatively limited audience, often dedicated to a small independent theatre used for experimental or avant-garde drama, or for non-commercial community productions by amateurs and students.

The more avant garde meaning of the term is said to have come came into general use in the 20th century by the emergence of the "Little Theatre Movement" in the USA in 1912.[1]

As name of company or venue

There are/have been a number of Little Theatres (Kleinteaters) in South Africa. Among the more prominent are:

The Little Theatre, Cape Town

The Little Theatre is located within a multi-purpose venue built in 1931 by the University of Cape Town on the Hiddingh Campus in Orange Street, Cape Town. Over the years, the venue has been home to several companies, including The Little Theatre Company, The Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society, The Kaapstadse Afrikaanse Toneelvereniging (KAT).

For more information, see UCT Little Theatre.

Little Theatre, Durban

This is a venue located at The Playhouse in Durban (used for a performance of Kessie Govender's Working Class Hero).

For more information, see Playhouse Theatre.

Little Theatres in Johannesburg

The name Little Theatre has been used many times in Johannesburg over the years to refer to a number of different venues.

The Little Theatre/ Die Kleinteater or The Library Theatre

The Little Theatre (or Kleinteater) was a performance venue at the Johannesburg Public Library. It later became known as the Library Theatre (or Biblioteekteater in Afrikaans). It opened in 1936. It was used by the Johannesburg Repertory Society (Johannesburg REPS) and other producers, including Taubie Kushlick, Margaret Inglis, the National Theatre Organisation, The Company of Three and The Children's Theatre. The theatre closed in 1983.

For more information, see Library Theatre.

The Little Theatre, Corner House building

In the Corner House building. It opened in November 1973 with the comedy Till Bed Do Us Part by Louis Ife. It starred and was presented by Louis and Barbara Kinghorn under direction of Rex Garner. Robert Kirby’s The Dot-Dash Show with Robert and Terry Lester was staged here in 1975. Later leased by Toerien-Firth and renamed Barnato Theatre circa 1976 and used by them.

For more information, see Barnato Theatre.

The Little Theatre, Carlton Centre (1983-1986)

Situated in the Carlton Centre in Marshall Street. It opened in December 1983.

It was run by Delia Sainsbury and Keith Galloway as the performance space for their dance studio, The Dance Workshop. It closed when they moved their school to Mutual Square in Rosebank.

For more information, see The Dance Workshop.

The Little Theatre, Mutual Square, Rosebank (1987-1996)

This was the performance space attached to the Waybury Arts Centre, run by Delia Sainsbury and Keith Galloway. Sainsbury/Galloway relocated to Cape Town in 1992 to open the Waterfront Theatre School, and the venue was sold. The venue closed in 1996.

For more information, see Waybury Arts Centre.

The Little Theatre, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) or PEMADS Little Theatre

The Little Theatre is a small theatre venue located in Gqeberha's city centre. Originally known as the Loubser Hall and later as the Ford Little Theatre. Often referred to as PEMADS Little Theatre (PEMADS is the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society which was based at the venue for many years until March 2024).

For more information on the history of the venue, see Loubser Hall.

Die Kleinteater/Unisa Little Theatre, Pretoria

The Unisa Little Theatre a uniquely designed classical drama theatre situated in the heart of Pretoria’s central business district. Designed by acclaimed South African architect, Norman Eaton, the theatre is fully equipped to support all fields of performing arts, and is considered one of the most established dance theatres in South Africa.

Opened in 1961 and owned by the Transvaal Education Department, the venue was used by the students of the Pretoria Educational Training College. In 1995, UNISA became the Theatre's owner, and became known as the Unisa Little Theatre when it was declared a Provincial heritage site in 2004.

For more information, see Unisa Little Theatre.

Sources

"Little theatre." Oxford Languages (Accessed 8 March 2025)[2]

"Little theater." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/little%20theater. Accessed 8 March 2025.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Movement

Gosher, 1988

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Unisa

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=36483

Port Elizabeth: A Social Chronicle to the End of 1945 by Margaret Harradine. Published by E H Walton Packaging (Pty) Ltd., Port Elizabeth. Undated but known to have been printed in 1997.

https://johannesburg1912.com/2013/07/29/theatres-in-early-johannesburg/

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/About/What-we-do/Arts-&-culture/Unisa-Little-Theatre

Tucker, 1997

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_(Cape_Town)

Inskip, 1972.

https://www.uct.ac.za/about/arts/littletheatre/

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

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