Difference between revisions of "Good Hope Theatre"

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The [[Good Hope Theatre]] is a name used for theatrical venues in Cape Town in the late 18th and early 19th century.  
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The [[Good Hope Theatre]] is one of a number of names used for three related theatrical venues in the Good Hope Gardens, Cape Town in the late 19th and early 20th century. The history and relationship is not always clear from the sources
  
Various sources give confusing information in this regard, but broadly it appears that there were '''two''' venues by this name.
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Also known as the '''[[Exhibition Theatre]]''' on occasion
  
Also known as the '''[[Exhibition Theatre]]''' on occasion
 
  
In the 19th century two related venues were used in the Good Hope Gardens.  The history and relationship is not always clear from the sources
 
  
  
 
=The Goede Hoop Lodge=
 
=The Goede Hoop Lodge=
  
Also known as the '''Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge'''
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Also known as the '''[[Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge]]'''
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Built in 1800 and utilized as a popular venue for concerts. Musical concerts were held at the Good Hope Lodge Gardens on Friday evenings during the summer. 
  
Built in 1800 and utilized as a popular venue for concerts. Musical concerts were held at the Good Hope Lodge Gardens on Friday evenings during the summer.  Later in the 19th century it played an important part in theatrical activities, when the Exhibition Hall evolved from the Lodge and towards end of 19th century built its own Exhibition Hall and Theatre.   
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Later in the 19th century it played an important part in theatrical activities, when the [[Exhibition Hall]] evolved from the Lodge and the Lodge built its own [[Exhibition Hall and Theatre]] towards end of 19th century.   
  
 
=The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre=
 
=The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre=
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Huge barn-like structure made from wood and corrugated iron, constructed in 1875 in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens.  Also referred to as the '''Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre'''  Most performances were Italian operas performed by Signor Carli’s Opera Company, of which Carli was the impressario.  Burnt down totally in 1892.  
 
Huge barn-like structure made from wood and corrugated iron, constructed in 1875 in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens.  Also referred to as the '''Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre'''  Most performances were Italian operas performed by Signor Carli’s Opera Company, of which Carli was the impressario.  Burnt down totally in 1892.  
  
==The Exhibition Theatre,  Cape Town== 
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==The [[Exhibition Theatre]] or [[Good Hope Theatre]],  Cape Town(1875-1892)==  
 
 
(1875**-1892)  Full name apparently the '''Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre''' Situated in the Good Hope Gardens, it evolved from the Exhibition Hall.  Burnt down totally in 1892.
 
  
=Good Hope Theatre=
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The full name was apparently the '''[[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]]'''.  Situated in the Good Hope Gardens, it evolved from the [[Exhibition Hall]], and was at times used as a venue for opera and musical presentations and seems to have been referred to variously as the [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]]. Like the hall the theatre burnt down totally in 1892.
  
There seems to be some confusion here, as two venues seem to be indicated.
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==The Good Hope Theatre 1897-1910==
  
==The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre or Good Hope Theatre 1875-1892==
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Though also referred to as The [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]],  it does not appear to be the same building, but is possibly a new (or adapted?) structure custom built in the late 1800s and used to a great extent by the [[Wheeler Company]] where it experienced great successes with its musical comedies.  One of earliest performances was ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' (Thomas) by the [[Hawtrey Comedy Company]] under [[Wheeler Company]] management.  
 
 
As indicated, the '''Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre''' was at times referred to as The Good Hope Theatre and used for opera and musical presentations to a large extent .
 
 
 
==The Good Hope Theatre 18**-1906==
 
 
 
This does not appear to be the same building, but is possibly a new structure custom built in the late 1800s and used to a great extent by the [[Wheeler Company]] where it experienced great successes with its musical comedies.  One of earliest performances was ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' (Thomas) by the [[Hawtrey Comedy Company]] under Wheeler management.  In 1902 a [[Gaiety Company]] used the venue and performed amongst others ''[[The Geisha]]'' and ''[[Kitty Grey]]''.  By 1906 the theatre had lost its flair and by the end of that year it closed as a professional venue. Thereafter it was used by Dutch/Afrikaans companies. For example on  4 June 1910 ''[[Het Geheim]]'' ("The Secret"m by A de Bruin) was presented at the '''Good Hope Theatre'''.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Sources ==
 
 
 
Fletcher, 1994: 117; Laidler, 1926: 89, **??** [Check facts here?*]
 
 
 
== For more information ==
 
 
 
== Return to ==
 
 
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 
 
 
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
 
 
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
 
 
 
 
==The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre or Good Hope Theatre 1875-1892==
 
 
 
As indicated, the [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall]] was at times used as a venue for opera and musical presentations and seems to have been referred to variously as the [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]].
 
 
 
==The Good Hope Theatre late 1800s-1906==
 
 
 
Though also referred to as The [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]],  it does not not appear to be the same building, but is possibly a new (or adapted?) structure custom built in the late 1800s and used to a great extent by the [[Wheeler Company]] where it experienced great successes with its musical comedies.  One of earliest performances was ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' (Thomas) by the [[Hawtrey Comedy Company]] under [[Wheeler Company]] management.  
 
  
 
It was also used by other companies such as [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  (1897) and a [[Gaiety Company]] in 1902 (with for instance ''[[The Geisha]]'' and ''[[Kitty Grey]]'').   
 
It was also used by other companies such as [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  (1897) and a [[Gaiety Company]] in 1902 (with for instance ''[[The Geisha]]'' and ''[[Kitty Grey]]'').   
  
By 1906 the theatre had however lost its flair and by the end of that year it closed as a professional venue.  
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Though the theatre had lost its flair by 1906 and seems to have closed as a professional venue by the end of that year, it appears to have continued as an occasional amateur venue. For example by [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]] did a production of ''[[Het Geheim]]'' there in 1910.
 
 
Thereafter it was only used by [[amateur]] ([[Dutch]]/[[Afrikaans]]) companies.  
 
  
For example by [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  in 1910.
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==

Revision as of 06:35, 3 August 2017

The Good Hope Theatre is one of a number of names used for three related theatrical venues in the Good Hope Gardens, Cape Town in the late 19th and early 20th century. The history and relationship is not always clear from the sources

Also known as the Exhibition Theatre on occasion



The Goede Hoop Lodge

Also known as the Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge

Built in 1800 and utilized as a popular venue for concerts. Musical concerts were held at the Good Hope Lodge Gardens on Friday evenings during the summer.

Later in the 19th century it played an important part in theatrical activities, when the Exhibition Hall evolved from the Lodge and the Lodge built its own Exhibition Hall and Theatre towards end of 19th century.

The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre

The Exhibition Hall, Cape Town

Huge barn-like structure made from wood and corrugated iron, constructed in 1875 in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens. Also referred to as the Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre Most performances were Italian operas performed by Signor Carli’s Opera Company, of which Carli was the impressario. Burnt down totally in 1892.

The Exhibition Theatre or Good Hope Theatre, Cape Town(1875-1892)

The full name was apparently the Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre. Situated in the Good Hope Gardens, it evolved from the Exhibition Hall, and was at times used as a venue for opera and musical presentations and seems to have been referred to variously as the Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre, the Good Hope Theatre, the Good Hope Hall or Goede Hoop Saal. Like the hall the theatre burnt down totally in 1892.

The Good Hope Theatre 1897-1910

Though also referred to as The Good Hope Hall or Goede Hoop Saal, it does not appear to be the same building, but is possibly a new (or adapted?) structure custom built in the late 1800s and used to a great extent by the Wheeler Company where it experienced great successes with its musical comedies. One of earliest performances was Charley’s Aunt (Thomas) by the Hawtrey Comedy Company under Wheeler Company management.

It was also used by other companies such as Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst (1897) and a Gaiety Company in 1902 (with for instance The Geisha and Kitty Grey).

Though the theatre had lost its flair by 1906 and seems to have closed as a professional venue by the end of that year, it appears to have continued as an occasional amateur venue. For example by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst did a production of Het Geheim there in 1910.


Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p. 117

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p. 89

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