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| − | The [[Monument Theatre]] is part of the [[1820 Settlers Monument]] on Gunfire Hill in Grahamstown and the key venue for the [[Grahamstown Festival]].
| + | See [[Guy Butler Theatre]] |
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| − | Designed by monument architect, Mr F. Lamond Sturrock who initially referred to it as the "Memorial Hall", the planners ultimately turned it into an auditorium seating 920 people with a 50 piece orchestra pit. The stage, with 15.5m revolve, included side and rear spaces with a loading bay. With a 25m high fly tower and a computerised lighting system, the theatre boasted facilities among the best in Southern Africa. There is a ballet rehearsal room and dressing rooms for 68 performers. Extensively refurbished since the fire gutted it in 1994, improvements to the auditorium include: state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology, significantly improved acoustics, a new 700 squre metre stage floor with loading access optimised, and 941 fireproof seats.
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| − | Inaugurated with the Monument itself on 13 July 1974, it opened with a [[CAPAB]] production of Shakepeare's ''[[King Lear]]'', directed by [[Roy Sargeant]], designed by [[Ken Robinson]], with [[Michael Atkinson]] as Lear. The theatre is used for dramatic, musical, amateur and professional productions, for conventions, prize-givings and university graduations. It serves as the offices for the [[1820 Settlers' Foundation]] and the [[Grahamstown Festival]] Committee. It is also the hub of the annual festival.
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| − | It was badly damaged by fire in 1994 and after being rebuilt was renamed the '''[[Guy Butler Theatre]]'''
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| − | == Sources ==
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| − | http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/
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| − | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1820_Settlers
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| − | Boltt J. Fire damage to the 1820 Settlers' National Monument. Grahamstown Foundation Media Office, April, 1996.
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| − | Butler G. 1820 Settlers Monument Neville, T. More lasting than bronze: a story of 1820 Settlers.
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| − | ([[NELM]])
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| − | ''[[Mail & Guardian]]'', 16 September 1994
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| − | == For more information ==
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| − | See the [[1820 Settlers Monument]], the [[1820 Settlers Foundation]], [[Grahamstown Foundation]] and the [[Grahamstown Festival]]
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| − | See also [[Festival]]
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| − | Websites:
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| − | http://www.foundation.org.za/monument/index.php
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| − | the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Arts_Festival
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