Amateur Theatre Guild

The Amateur Theatre Guild was one of a few amateur theatre organizations in Port Elizabeth.

In fact there is some confusion in the records about the differences between the Theatre Guild (1951-1958), the Amateur Theatre Guild (1961-1963) and the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild (1962-). .

Founding and early history

Port Elizabeth's Amateur Theatre Guild was founded in 1961 by members of the cast of King Lear which was produced in that year after the death of producer Andre Huguenet. The group cooperated so well together that they decided to form a new organisation under the name Amateur Theatre Guild. During their first year they produced Our Town, Rope, Tea and Sympathy, and The Lark. Hundreds of people were unable to see The Lark because the season, fully booked, could not be extended as no other suitable venue could be found. These four productions raised well over R4 000-00 for various charities. Founding "members" included Christine Roberts, George Jones, Jill Shepherd, Alan Williams, and David Hemmings.

Aims and function

The Amateur Theatre Guild was unique in South Africa as it had no funds, no members as such, no committee, no secretary and no constitution.

Later status

By August 1962, the Amateur Theatre Guild was also calling itself the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

According to the March 1985, edition of Scenaria magazine (Issue no 50), The Company of Four assumed the name of the Amateur Theatre Guild from 1951 till 1958 when it became the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

February 20 - 24, 1962: The Amateur Theatre Guild produced Five Finger Exercise at the Port Elizabeth City Hall.

August 14 - 18, 1962: The Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild presented Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize winning play, Death of a Salesman at the Port Elizabeth City Hall. The play was directed by David Barnett - producer. The setting was by Patsy Barnett.

April 16 - 23, 1963: The Amateur Theatre Guild staged Hamlet at the Port Elizabeth City Hall. The play was produced by Will Jamieson with all proceeds going towards the Red Cross.

Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Shakespearean Festival

From 1960 to 1966, the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival was produced and managed by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild. From 1967 to 1971, the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild entered into an association with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, producing joint productions. From 1972, the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival operated independently, essentially absorbing the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild.

Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild productions

1961: The Lark and Tea and Sympathy.

1962: Five Finger Exercise, Rape of the Belt, Death of a Salesman.

1963: The Queen and the Rebels,

1963: Hamlet. Presented by the Theatre Guild for the Red Cross, directed by Will Jamieson. Starring: John Hamber, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Philip Jackson, Alf Porter, Jim Shorrock.

1964: The Taming of the Shrew, Presented by the Theatre Guild for the Hellenic Community, directed by Will Jamieson. Starring John Hamber, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, and Gordon Roberts.

1964: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (for the P E Civic Theatre Fund),

1965: Much Ado About Nothing. Presented by the Theatre Guild for the University of Port Elizabeth. Directed by Margaret Inglis. Starring John Hambler, Helen Mann, Clive Selley, Derek Scarr, Alf Porter, Gordon Roberts.

1966: The Mikado, (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

1967: Oklahoma!, (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

1967: The King and I (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

1968: Brigadoon (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

1969: The Student Prince '(with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

1970: The Desert Song (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.)

Sources

Sunday Tribune, February 11, 1962.

Evening Post, April 10, 1963.

Eastern Province Herald April 20, April 17, 1963.

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