Difference between revisions of "Luscombe Searelle"
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[[Luscombe Searelle]] (1860-1907)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luscombe_Searelle] was an actor, singer, dramatist, composer, conductor and manager. | [[Luscombe Searelle]] (1860-1907)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luscombe_Searelle] was an actor, singer, dramatist, composer, conductor and manager. | ||
| − | He first arrived in South Africa with his family in 1887. He toured the country with his productions and opened the [[Theatre Royal]] in Johannesburg, where he performed operas, as well as plays. He presented his wife [[Blanche Fenton]], in the opera ''[[Maritana]]'' and followed this with his own operas ''[[Isidora]]'', ''[[Bobadil]]'' and ''[[Estrella]]'', productions also staged in Pretoria and Cape Town by the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Opera Company]]''' (also known as the [[Searelle Opera Company]]). | + | He first arrived in South Africa with his family in 1887. He toured the country with his productions and opened the [[Theatre Royal]] in Johannesburg, where he performed operas, as well as plays. He presented his wife [[Blanche Fenton]], in the opera ''[[Maritana]]'' and followed this with his own operas ''[[Isidora]]'', ''[[Bobadil]]'' and ''[[Estrella]]'', productions also staged in Pretoria and Cape Town by the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Opera Company]]''' (also known as the '''[[Searelle Opera Company]]'''). |
From 1891 he began to concentrate on plays rather than operas and touring the country with what was generally referred to as the '''[[Searelle Company]]''' by journalists and the public. (Besides the original name, the companies had various other names over time, including the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Theatre Company]]''', the '''[[Searelle Theatre Company]]''', the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Comedy Company]]''' or the '''[[Searelle Comedy Company]]'''). | From 1891 he began to concentrate on plays rather than operas and touring the country with what was generally referred to as the '''[[Searelle Company]]''' by journalists and the public. (Besides the original name, the companies had various other names over time, including the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Theatre Company]]''', the '''[[Searelle Theatre Company]]''', the '''[[Luscombe Searelle Comedy Company]]''' or the '''[[Searelle Comedy Company]]'''). | ||
Revision as of 05:02, 15 November 2019
Luscombe Searelle (1860-1907)[1] was an actor, singer, dramatist, composer, conductor and manager.
He first arrived in South Africa with his family in 1887. He toured the country with his productions and opened the Theatre Royal in Johannesburg, where he performed operas, as well as plays. He presented his wife Blanche Fenton, in the opera Maritana and followed this with his own operas Isidora, Bobadil and Estrella, productions also staged in Pretoria and Cape Town by the Luscombe Searelle Opera Company (also known as the Searelle Opera Company).
From 1891 he began to concentrate on plays rather than operas and touring the country with what was generally referred to as the Searelle Company by journalists and the public. (Besides the original name, the companies had various other names over time, including the Luscombe Searelle Theatre Company, the Searelle Theatre Company, the Luscombe Searelle Comedy Company or the Searelle Comedy Company).
These companies did both serious plays (e.g. Macbeth, ) as well as lighter fare (Forget Me Not, The New Boy).
In 1891-2 he brought out the world-renowned American-born opera singer and actress Genevieve Ward to tour South Africa for nine months. They presented an astounding 26 plays, sixteen in Johannesburg alone. The tour encompassed all the major towns, but en route two of the company died and the tour was cut short. Another popular performer was W. Vernon.
On Tuesday, February 22, 1898, Searelle's Theatre Royal building was put up for auction by Richard Currie's Sales. The building, with a frontage of 100 feet, was situated on plots 316, 317, 320 and 321, central Commissioner Street, Marshall's Town, Johannesburg. The building consisted of a theatre, shops, bar, tearooms, cafes and Searelle Chambers, and was built using the best quality burnt bricks. There were also a barber, tobacconist and watchmaker's shops. There were also seven two-roomed offices with private toilets. Electric lights and water were supplied. Facing Fox Street were four semi-detached, double-storied houses, each containing five rooms, a kitchen, a pantry etc.
Sources
Eastern Province Herald, Friday, January 21, 1898.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luscombe_Searelle
D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 403
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