Difference between revisions of "Masque Theatre"

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This venue in Main Road, Muizenberg in the Cape Peninsula was converted from a nightclub into a small theatre by [[Bertie Stern]] and opened in 1959 for the use of professional and amateur actors. The grand opening of the theatre was on 10 January 1959 with ''[[Sorry Wrong Number]]'' by [[Lillian Jamieson]] and ''[[The Bespoke Overcoat]]'' by English playwright Wolf Mankowitz [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Mankowitz] (1924-1998) starring [[Alec Bell]] and [[Barney Sher]].
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The [[Masque Theatre]] is a venue in Main Road, Muizenberg in the Cape Peninsula.
  
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It presented performers such as [[Yvonne Bryceland]], [[Alec Bell]], [[Zoë Randall]] and [[Bill Curry]] long before they became household names. *** In 19** Stern left his theatre in trust to four societies - **, **, ** and **. It is now run by a committee called [[Mancom]] and offers approximately twelve productions a year.
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Also referred to simply as '''[[The Masque]]''' in publications and publicity material.  
  
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From 1982 onwards the [[Muizenberg Amateur Dramatic Society]] (MADS)  also used the [[Masque Theatre]] for its productions.
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==The original '''[[Masque]]'''==
  
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The Masque Theatre celebrated its 50th birthday in January 2009 with the performance of David Hare's ''[[The Breath of Life]]'' directed by [[Sue Bolton]] for the [[Claremont Dramatic Society]].  
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Created as a small theatre by [[Bertie Stern]],  who had bought a dilapidated bowling alley next to the railway station in Muizenberg in 1957 and together with his family, transformed it into a thriving community theatre. The Masque  opened in 1959 for the use of professional and amateur actors.  
  
 +
The grand opening of the theatre was on 10 January 1959 with ''[[Sorry, Wrong Number]]'', said to be "by [[Lillian Jamieson]]" (probably the stage version of the 1941 radio play by Lucille Fletcher (1912-2000)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Fletcher], '''performed''' by actress [[Lillian Jamieson]]) and ''[[The Bespoke Overcoat]]'' by English playwright Wolf Mankowitz (1924-1998)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Mankowitz] .
 +
The theatre presented performers such as [[Yvonne Bryceland]], [[Alec Bell]], [[Zoë Randall]] and [[Bill Curry]] long before they became household names.
 +
 +
==The second phase (till 1997)==
 +
 +
In 19** Stern left his theatre in trust to four societies - **, **, ** and **. It has since then been run by a committee called [[Mancom]] and offers approximately twelve productions a year.
 +
 +
From 1982 onwards the [[Muizenberg Amateur Dramatic Society]] ([[MADS]])  also used the [[Masque Theatre]] for its productions.
 +
 +
Sadly the original theatre burnt down in October 1997, but was rebuilt.
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 +
==The refurbished theatre (1997-)==
 +
 +
The [[Masque Theatre]] celebrated its 50th birthday in January 2009 with the performance of David Hare's ''[[The Breath of Life]]'' directed by [[Sue Bolton]] for the [[Claremont Dramatic Society]].
 +
 +
In 2020 the theatre , like so many venues and companies in the country, was in dire straits because of the enforced lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic that had overtaken the world. The management was preparing to close its doors permanently, but at the end of April turned to crowd funding effort to try to keep the theatre going. 
 +
 +
Since the lifting of restrictions it has become active again, with performances such as ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' (originally planned for 2020, performed 2023), .
 +
 +
==New initiatives for the Youth==
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 +
In 2024 the Masque launched two interrelated launched by the [[Masque Theatre]] in Muizenberg to offer children of all ages the chance to experience the magic of theatre. They are: The '''[[Youth Theatre Club]]''' and the '''[[Curtain Up Club]]'''.
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=== The '''[[Youth Theatre Club]]''': ===
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This Club is aimed at unlocking benefits for theatre enthusiasts aged 8-16. As a member they have access to informal hangouts at the theatre, newsletters filled with theatre news, tips and stories. They also have a chance to explore movement, storytelling and more and get a 5% discount on children’s tickets to kids shows at The Masque.
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=== The '''[[Curtain Up Club]]''': ===
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Run by [[Melanie O'Connor Horn]], this initiative offers weekly drama classes, held during term times, led by experienced theatre practitioners. Designed for 8 – 16 year olds, it entails  warm-up games, voice training, acting exercises, and team-building activities, as well as the chance to audition for [[The Masque]]’s annual production!
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The [[Curtain Up Club]] is jointly run by two theatrical organisations: [[The Masque]] and [[Spotlight Youth Theatre]] (also known as the [[Spotlight Drama Studio]]).
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
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(JF) (Source: Celia Kauth(?) tel: 021 788 1898 (w) Mancom member)  
 
(JF) (Source: Celia Kauth(?) tel: 021 788 1898 (w) Mancom member)  
  
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''Cape Argus'', 18 August 1998.
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''[[Cape Argus]]'', 18 August 1998.
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''[[Cape Times]]'', 7 January 2009.
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https://themasque.co.za/
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https://www.facebook.com/masquetheatresa/
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https://www.capetownetc.com/news/help-muizenbergs-masque-theatre-stay-open/#:~:text=In%201957%2C%20attorney%20Bertie%20Stern,racial%20theatres%20in%20Cape%20Town.
  
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''Cape Times'', 7 January 2009.
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https://www.newslink.co.za/twelfth-night-for-the-masque/
  
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== For more information ==
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https://www.theatrescenecpt.co.za/post/press-youth-take-centre-stage-at-the-masque
  
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https://spotlightdramastudio.co.za/about/
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 09:16, 6 March 2025

The Masque Theatre is a venue in Main Road, Muizenberg in the Cape Peninsula.

Also referred to simply as The Masque in publications and publicity material.

The original Masque

Created as a small theatre by Bertie Stern, who had bought a dilapidated bowling alley next to the railway station in Muizenberg in 1957 and together with his family, transformed it into a thriving community theatre. The Masque opened in 1959 for the use of professional and amateur actors.

The grand opening of the theatre was on 10 January 1959 with Sorry, Wrong Number, said to be "by Lillian Jamieson" (probably the stage version of the 1941 radio play by Lucille Fletcher (1912-2000)[1], performed by actress Lillian Jamieson) and The Bespoke Overcoat by English playwright Wolf Mankowitz (1924-1998)[2] . The theatre presented performers such as Yvonne Bryceland, Alec Bell, Zoë Randall and Bill Curry long before they became household names.

The second phase (till 1997)

In 19** Stern left his theatre in trust to four societies - **, **, ** and **. It has since then been run by a committee called Mancom and offers approximately twelve productions a year.

From 1982 onwards the Muizenberg Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS) also used the Masque Theatre for its productions.

Sadly the original theatre burnt down in October 1997, but was rebuilt.

The refurbished theatre (1997-)

The Masque Theatre celebrated its 50th birthday in January 2009 with the performance of David Hare's The Breath of Life directed by Sue Bolton for the Claremont Dramatic Society.

In 2020 the theatre , like so many venues and companies in the country, was in dire straits because of the enforced lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic that had overtaken the world. The management was preparing to close its doors permanently, but at the end of April turned to crowd funding effort to try to keep the theatre going.

Since the lifting of restrictions it has become active again, with performances such as Twelfth Night (originally planned for 2020, performed 2023), .

New initiatives for the Youth

In 2024 the Masque launched two interrelated launched by the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg to offer children of all ages the chance to experience the magic of theatre. They are: The Youth Theatre Club and the Curtain Up Club.

The Youth Theatre Club:

This Club is aimed at unlocking benefits for theatre enthusiasts aged 8-16. As a member they have access to informal hangouts at the theatre, newsletters filled with theatre news, tips and stories. They also have a chance to explore movement, storytelling and more and get a 5% discount on children’s tickets to kids shows at The Masque.

The Curtain Up Club:

Run by Melanie O'Connor Horn, this initiative offers weekly drama classes, held during term times, led by experienced theatre practitioners. Designed for 8 – 16 year olds, it entails warm-up games, voice training, acting exercises, and team-building activities, as well as the chance to audition for The Masque’s annual production!

The Curtain Up Club is jointly run by two theatrical organisations: The Masque and Spotlight Youth Theatre (also known as the Spotlight Drama Studio).

Sources

(JF) (Source: Celia Kauth(?) tel: 021 788 1898 (w) Mancom member)

Cape Argus, 18 August 1998.

Cape Times, 7 January 2009.

https://themasque.co.za/

https://www.facebook.com/masquetheatresa/

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/help-muizenbergs-masque-theatre-stay-open/#:~:text=In%201957%2C%20attorney%20Bertie%20Stern,racial%20theatres%20in%20Cape%20Town.

https://www.newslink.co.za/twelfth-night-for-the-masque/

https://www.theatrescenecpt.co.za/post/press-youth-take-centre-stage-at-the-masque

https://spotlightdramastudio.co.za/about/

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