Difference between revisions of "Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
'''PEMADS''' was established in 1945, by 1970 the Society had more than 3000 members. ***   
+
== The Little Theatre, Port Elizabeth or [[PEMADS Little Theatre]] ==
 +
 
 +
The [[Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society]]  was founded in the basement of the [[Port Elizabeth City Hall]] in October 1945, when a group of musical theatre enthusiasts decided to present shows away from the Savoy operettas. The name quickly became abbreviated to [[PEMADS]] and has been known as such ever since.
 +
 
 +
Their first production was Peter Blackmore’s ''[[The Blue Goose]]''.
 +
 
 +
The [[Little Theatre]] was originally known as the [[Loubser Hall]] and formed part of the Athenaeum Club.
 +
 
 +
[[Harold Davidson]] was instrumental in obtaining the use of this hall for rehearsal purposes. After [[PEMADS]] members and directors got used to their new home, productions began.
 +
 
 +
Conditions were primitive. Back-stage storage space was non-existent, lighting was barely adequate, and if you had a large cast, conditions became chaotic.
 +
 
 +
After the facilities were improved the new dressing rooms were considered "no fun" as the team feeling of doing all that costume changing with just a sheet on a line separating the boys from the girls, was gone.
 +
 
 +
Also referred to as the [[Pemads Little Theatre]], after the [[Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society]] ([[PEMADS]]), the society that built and owns it.
 +
 
 +
Contains the [[Noel Morgan Auditorium]].
 +
 
 +
Among the other local groups using it are the [[Port Elizabeth Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging]] (PEAAT).
 +
 
 +
By 1970 the Society had more than 3000 members. ***   
  
 
In 2015 [[Rose Cowpar]], President of the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], and [[Yolande Farrow]], newly-elected Chairperson of [[PEMADS]],  initiated a closer relationship between the two societies, including joint projects.
 
In 2015 [[Rose Cowpar]], President of the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], and [[Yolande Farrow]], newly-elected Chairperson of [[PEMADS]],  initiated a closer relationship between the two societies, including joint projects.

Revision as of 11:58, 22 July 2018

The Little Theatre, Port Elizabeth or PEMADS Little Theatre

The Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society was founded in the basement of the Port Elizabeth City Hall in October 1945, when a group of musical theatre enthusiasts decided to present shows away from the Savoy operettas. The name quickly became abbreviated to PEMADS and has been known as such ever since.

Their first production was Peter Blackmore’s The Blue Goose.

The Little Theatre was originally known as the Loubser Hall and formed part of the Athenaeum Club.

Harold Davidson was instrumental in obtaining the use of this hall for rehearsal purposes. After PEMADS members and directors got used to their new home, productions began.

Conditions were primitive. Back-stage storage space was non-existent, lighting was barely adequate, and if you had a large cast, conditions became chaotic.

After the facilities were improved the new dressing rooms were considered "no fun" as the team feeling of doing all that costume changing with just a sheet on a line separating the boys from the girls, was gone.

Also referred to as the Pemads Little Theatre, after the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society (PEMADS), the society that built and owns it.

Contains the Noel Morgan Auditorium.

Among the other local groups using it are the Port Elizabeth Afrikaanse Amateur Toneelvereniging (PEAAT).

By 1970 the Society had more than 3000 members. ***

In 2015 Rose Cowpar, President of the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and Yolande Farrow, newly-elected Chairperson of PEMADS, initiated a closer relationship between the two societies, including joint projects.

PEMADS and the Salters' Cup

From 1957 it hosted the Salters' Cup One-Act Play Festival which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 1987. The cup itself was awarded for best director and the specific aim of the competition was to encourage new directors., although later acting awards were also introduced. To maintain high standards of productions the awards were not issued during some festivals.


PEMADS Little Theatre

They manage this theatre. QUESTION: They built the Little Theatre???

Sources

Gosher, 1988 [JH]

Bob Eveleigh, 2015, "Closer ties for PE theatre societies" ArtsLink, 08/20/2015 08:49:41

For more information

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page