Difference between revisions of "Entertainment"
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
Though the form was well-known among the English residents of the Cape, there is also is strong evidence that a similar kind of event was also prevalent among [[Dutch]] and [[Afrikaans]] communities in the 19th century, though possibly slightly more . (See also [[Debating societies]]) The [[Afrikaans]] programmes initially used the English term in parenthesis - i.e. "Entertainment" , but gradually came to employ an [[Afrikaans]] term [[Concert|Konsert]] - i.e.:"[[Concert]]" - for the same idea. In the early 20th century [[Concert|Konserte]] (in this sense) were very popular and the term was even transferred to English (e.g. the "school concert"). | Though the form was well-known among the English residents of the Cape, there is also is strong evidence that a similar kind of event was also prevalent among [[Dutch]] and [[Afrikaans]] communities in the 19th century, though possibly slightly more . (See also [[Debating societies]]) The [[Afrikaans]] programmes initially used the English term in parenthesis - i.e. "Entertainment" , but gradually came to employ an [[Afrikaans]] term [[Concert|Konsert]] - i.e.:"[[Concert]]" - for the same idea. In the early 20th century [[Concert|Konserte]] (in this sense) were very popular and the term was even transferred to English (e.g. the "school concert"). | ||
| − | In the hands of the military or profit-minded [[semi-professional]] or [[professional | + | In the hands of the military or profit-minded [[semi-professional]] or [[professional]] companies, the programmes styled "[[entertainments]]" often tended to be a mixed bag of popular fare, with comic dialogues, short plays, musical turns, comic songs, tableaux, making up a substantial part of such an evening of "entertainment". In the mid 1860s the [[Garrison Theatre]] versions of Dramatic Entertainments (e.g. those put on by the 1st battalion of the [[9th Regiment]], Cape Town), began to contain gymnastic acts as well, and were thus sometimes styled ''[[Dramatic and Gymnastic Entertainments]]''. |
Revision as of 06:38, 19 January 2019
In its general meaning entertainment refers to any event that is intended to amuse, i.e. to be enjoyed by people.
However, in a more specific sense it is also a more specific theatrical term, most prominent in the 19th century, used to refer to any form of eclectic presentation containing a range of different forms and styles.
In its amateur form, it is often found with reference to a group of theatre-lovers or literary enthusiasts, meet for the purpose of discussing and undertaking dramatised readings or even performances of plays, poems and narratives, either for their members or for the public. In other cases there are more eclectic presentations (including various kinds of literary, dramatic, musical, and performative acts), specifically put on as performances by such (mainly English, or Anglicised) institutions as literary societies, military garrisons, amateur theatrical companies, high schools, some lodges, student associations and the like.
In this latter sense the word occurs in a range of title combinations over the years, to indicate the specific intentions of the events, such as [Dramatic and Musical Entertainments]], Literary Entertainments, Theatrical Entertainments, etc. Other terms associated with this concept include Playreading Groups, Playreading Clubs. On occasion they consisted of more serious literary fare and were given more suitable names, e.g. Mr Hill's Literary Entertainment of the late 1840s, Dramatic and Musical Entertainments by Mrs Greig (1851), events sponsored by the Bloemfontein Literary and Scientific Society, etc.
Though the form was well-known among the English residents of the Cape, there is also is strong evidence that a similar kind of event was also prevalent among Dutch and Afrikaans communities in the 19th century, though possibly slightly more . (See also Debating societies) The Afrikaans programmes initially used the English term in parenthesis - i.e. "Entertainment" , but gradually came to employ an Afrikaans term Konsert - i.e.:"Concert" - for the same idea. In the early 20th century Konserte (in this sense) were very popular and the term was even transferred to English (e.g. the "school concert").
In the hands of the military or profit-minded semi-professional or professional companies, the programmes styled "entertainments" often tended to be a mixed bag of popular fare, with comic dialogues, short plays, musical turns, comic songs, tableaux, making up a substantial part of such an evening of "entertainment". In the mid 1860s the Garrison Theatre versions of Dramatic Entertainments (e.g. those put on by the 1st battalion of the 9th Regiment, Cape Town), began to contain gymnastic acts as well, and were thus sometimes styled Dramatic and Gymnastic Entertainments.
(TH)
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.
P.J. du Toit, 1988[JH]
Go to the ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries
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
