Difference between revisions of "Theatre in Paarl"

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Old Mill Theatre in Paarl near Cape Town, South Africa
 
 
The Old Mill Theatre in Paarl, home to the Paarl Theatre Club, is a community theatre producing a variety of entertainment in both English as well as the local language, Afrikaans. The theatre is available for hire by professional entertainers and others seeking a venue for their productions.
 
 
Already in the nineteenth century Paarl had a rich acting scene, as well as music – and since 1882 the Paarl Union Debating Society performed a variety of plays. At the beginning of the twentieth century “blaasorkes” was very popular. The Paarl Music Association was founded in 1913, and in 1940 joined together with the Choir Association to form the Paarl Music and Drama Association.
 
It was however discovered that the townhall was unsuitable, and not equipped for plays. Eventually this aspect of the association disappeared. The Paarl Theatre Club was officially founded in 1951 under the management of Mr De Wet Laubscher (Oom Laubie) with the main goal to perform and promote acting and plays. In the beginning years the clubs main problem was the shortcomings on appointed theatre, and in 1954 the “Skuurteater” in Pastorielaan was put to use, thanks to Mr Podlashuk (at present the “Rottang en Bamboes” shop).
 
Different plays are performed here and it was especially during this period that Miriam Bloom and the actress Joey de Koker were actively involved at the club. Due to circumstances in 1961 the club lost use of the “Skuurteatre” and as result of this and withdrawal of influential people, interest dwindled and the club was dissolved.
 
All equipment was now owned by three appointed trustees. During 1969 a new group started the club again. This was Pearl Retief and Brian Higgo-Holm, under management of Owen Maunder. They functioned out of the National Hall in Fabriek Street. In 1971 the Old Mill Theatre is made to use.
 
Between then and now the theatre was closed and reopened again. Although the theatre cannot boast state of the art equipment, it has a warm atmosphere where friends gather to enjoy local talent. You can also have dinner here. Many artists also visit this theatre. This theatre is a jewel to Paarl, and one that will not easily be forgotten or let go to waste.
 
  
Old Mill Theatre in Paarl near Cape Town, South Africa
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= Some provisional notes =
The Old Mill Theatre in Paarl, home to the Paarl Theatre Club, is a community theatre producing a variety of entertainment in both English as well as the local language, Afrikaans. The theatre is available for hire by professional entertainers and others seeking a venue for their productions.
+
 
+
 
Already in the nineteenth century Paarl had a rich acting scene, as well as music – and since 1882 the Paarl Union Debating Society performed a variety of plays. At the beginning of the twentieth century “blaasorkes” was very popular. The Paarl Music Association was founded in 1913, and in 1940 joined together with the Choir Association to form the Paarl Music and Drama Association.
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== The Paarl Union Debating Society ==
It was however discovered that the townhall was unsuitable, and not equipped for plays.
+
 
Eventually this aspect of the association disappeared. The Paarl Theatre Club was officially founded in 1951  
+
The [[Paarl Union Debating Society]] performed a variety of plays from  1882 onwards.  
under the management of Mr De Wet Laubscher (Oom Laubie) with the main goal to perform and promote
+
 
acting and plays. In the beginning years the clubs main problem was the shortcomings on appointed theatre,  
+
At the beginning of the twentieth century the "blaasorkes" (brass band) was very popular.  
and in 1954 the “Skuurteater” in Pastorielaan was put to use, thanks to Mr Podlashuk (at present the
+
 
“Rottang en Bamboes” shop).
+
== Paarl Music and Drama Association ==
+
 
Different plays are performed here and it was especially during this period that Miriam Bloom and the actress Joey de Koker were actively involved at the club. Due to circumstances in 1961 the club lost use of the “Skuurteatre” and as result of this and withdrawal of influential people, interest dwindled and the club was dissolved.
+
In 1913 the [[Paarl Music Association]] was founded and in 1940 it joined with the [[Choir Association]] to form the [[Paarl Music and Drama Association]].
All equipment was now owned by three appointed trustees. During 1969 a new group started the club again. This was Pearl Retief and Brian Higgo-Holm, under management of Owen Maunder. They functioned out of the National Hall in Fabriek Street. In 1971 the Old Mill Theatre is made to use.
+
They initially apparently performed in the [[Town Hall]], but this was found to be unsuitable, and not really equipped for doing plays. So eventually this aspect of the [[PMDA]] association disappeared.
Between then and now the theatre was closed and reopened again. Although the theatre cannot boast state of the art equipment, it has a warm atmosphere where friends gather to enjoy local talent. You can also have dinner here. Many artists also visit this theatre. This theatre is a jewel to Paarl, and one that will not easily be forgotten or let go to waste.
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== The Paarl Theatre Club==
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=== First period: 1954-1961 ===
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The [[Paarl Theatre Club]] was officially founded in 1951 under the management of Mr [[De Wet Laubscher]] (Oom Laubie), Their main goal was to perform and promote acting and plays in Paarl.  
+
 
+
Initially they struggled to find a sufficiently well-appointed space to use for theatre, but in 1954 they managed to procure a barn in Pastorielaan, belonging to Mr Podlashuk, to use as their home theatre. They called it the [[Skuurteater]] ([[Afrikaans]] for "Barn Theatre") - a space they used till 1961.  
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Numerous plays were performed there in the period, and among the many people involved with the club were [[Miriam Bloom]] and [[Joey de Koker]].  
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Due to a number of circumstancesthe club lost the use of the barn in 1961 and as result of this, as well as the withdrawal of a number of influential people, the [[Skuurteater]] had to close and interest in the society itself dwindled to such an extent that the club was dissolved and all the equipment owned by the club was placed in the hands of three appointed trustees.
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=== Second period: 1967-200* ===
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In 1969 the club was re-started by a new group, [[Pearl Retief]],  [[Brian Higgo-Holm]] and [[Owen Maunder]]. They now used the [[National Hall]] in Fabriek Street, before obtaining the use of the old mill building in Meul Street, which they fitted up and opened as the iconic [[Ou Meulteater]] or [[Old Mill Theatre]] in 1971.
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The new [[Paarl Theatre Club]] was responsible for the direct management and marketing of productions offered from 1971 up till 200*, when the theatre became a private enterprise, a rentable performance venue for the use of amateur, professional and semi-professional companies.  
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The spelling of the theatre's name was also changed to [[Oumeulteater]] on their website.
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== Sources ==
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http://www.exploresouthafrica.net/westerncape/capetown/theatres/theatre_old_mill.htm
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[[Nic de Jager]] Dié Paarlse Dogter was geen 'shrinking violet', [[Die Burger]] 3 July 2014: p16.
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http://www.oumeulteater.co.za/blog/
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== Return to ==
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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]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'''
 

Latest revision as of 11:47, 5 July 2014


Some provisional notes

The Paarl Union Debating Society

The Paarl Union Debating Society performed a variety of plays from 1882 onwards.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the "blaasorkes" (brass band) was very popular.

Paarl Music and Drama Association

In 1913 the Paarl Music Association was founded and in 1940 it joined with the Choir Association to form the Paarl Music and Drama Association. They initially apparently performed in the Town Hall, but this was found to be unsuitable, and not really equipped for doing plays. So eventually this aspect of the PMDA association disappeared.

The Paarl Theatre Club

First period: 1954-1961

The Paarl Theatre Club was officially founded in 1951 under the management of Mr De Wet Laubscher (Oom Laubie), Their main goal was to perform and promote acting and plays in Paarl.

Initially they struggled to find a sufficiently well-appointed space to use for theatre, but in 1954 they managed to procure a barn in Pastorielaan, belonging to Mr Podlashuk, to use as their home theatre. They called it the Skuurteater (Afrikaans for "Barn Theatre") - a space they used till 1961.

Numerous plays were performed there in the period, and among the many people involved with the club were Miriam Bloom and Joey de Koker.

Due to a number of circumstances, the club lost the use of the barn in 1961 and as result of this, as well as the withdrawal of a number of influential people, the Skuurteater had to close and interest in the society itself dwindled to such an extent that the club was dissolved and all the equipment owned by the club was placed in the hands of three appointed trustees.

Second period: 1967-200*

In 1969 the club was re-started by a new group, Pearl Retief, Brian Higgo-Holm and Owen Maunder. They now used the National Hall in Fabriek Street, before obtaining the use of the old mill building in Meul Street, which they fitted up and opened as the iconic Ou Meulteater or Old Mill Theatre in 1971.

The new Paarl Theatre Club was responsible for the direct management and marketing of productions offered from 1971 up till 200*, when the theatre became a private enterprise, a rentable performance venue for the use of amateur, professional and semi-professional companies.

The spelling of the theatre's name was also changed to Oumeulteater on their website.


Sources

http://www.exploresouthafrica.net/westerncape/capetown/theatres/theatre_old_mill.htm

Nic de Jager Dié Paarlse Dogter was geen 'shrinking violet', Die Burger 3 July 2014: p16.

http://www.oumeulteater.co.za/blog/

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page