Difference between revisions of "Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival"
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Founded by [[Helen Mann]] and [[Bruce Mann]] inspired by a speech made by [[André Huguenet]] after his performance of ''[[King Lear]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] on May 10, 1960. | Founded by [[Helen Mann]] and [[Bruce Mann]] inspired by a speech made by [[André Huguenet]] after his performance of ''[[King Lear]]'' at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] on May 10, 1960. | ||
| − | Between 1960 and 1971, productions of Shakespeare plays were presented by a variety of organisations, such as the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]], [[PEMADS]] and [[PEAAT]]. From | + | Between 1960 and 1971, productions of Shakespeare plays were presented by a variety of organisations, such as the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]], [[PEMADS]] and [[PEAAT]]. From 1966 to 1971, the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] entered into an association with the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]], producing three Shakespeare productions: ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (1969), ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' (1970) and ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' (1971). From 1972, the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]] operated as an independent organisation, and the [[Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild]] ceased to exist, essentially absorbed by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]]. |
Initially, productions were staged at indoor venues in Port Elizabeth such as the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]], but in 1971, ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' was presented in the open-air at [[Happy Valley]]. The venue was unsuitable, and from 1972, Festival productions were staged at the venue in St George's Park, later named [[Mannville]]. | Initially, productions were staged at indoor venues in Port Elizabeth such as the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]], but in 1971, ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' was presented in the open-air at [[Happy Valley]]. The venue was unsuitable, and from 1972, Festival productions were staged at the venue in St George's Park, later named [[Mannville]]. | ||
Revision as of 10:41, 15 August 2024
Contents
Origins
Founded by Helen Mann and Bruce Mann inspired by a speech made by André Huguenet after his performance of King Lear at the Port Elizabeth Opera House on May 10, 1960.
Between 1960 and 1971, productions of Shakespeare plays were presented by a variety of organisations, such as the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild, PEMADS and PEAAT. From 1966 to 1971, the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild entered into an association with the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, producing three Shakespeare productions: Romeo and Juliet (1969), Twelfth Night (1970) and The Merchant of Venice (1971). From 1972, the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival operated as an independent organisation, and the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild ceased to exist, essentially absorbed by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival.
Initially, productions were staged at indoor venues in Port Elizabeth such as the Port Elizabeth Opera House, but in 1971, The Merchant of Venice was presented in the open-air at Happy Valley. The venue was unsuitable, and from 1972, Festival productions were staged at the venue in St George's Park, later named Mannville.
In 1974, Themi Venturas, who was elected president, and Lorraine Young (Kapp) was elected vice-president, launched an "under-the-age-of-twenty" group of players for the Festival which was called the Young 'uns.
For more information, see Young 'uns.
Productions of Shakespeare plays (1960-1971)
1960: King Lear, presented by the Theatre Guild for the Red Cross, directed by Will Jamieson, with John Hamber, Helen Mann, Andre Huguenet, Gordon Roberts, Lorna Levenson, Paddye Bunce.
1960: A Winter's Tale, presented by PEMADS, directed by Mary Howe, with Mari Mocke, Noel Annear, G. Neil-Boss, Rob Fletcher, Ronald Davis, Jim Shorrock.
1963: Hamlet, presented by the Theatre Guild for the Red Cross at the Port Elizabeth City Hall, 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: Die Koopman van Venesie, presented by PEAAT, directed by Mari Mocke, with Jac Smit, Carina Zeelie, Annatjie van Wyk, Rufus Geel, J.J. Engelbrecht.
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: Macbeth, presented by PEMADS, directed by Will Jamieson, with Gabrielle van der Riet, David Blood, G. Neil-Boss, Sally Carrol, Lorna Levenson, Jim Shorrock.
1968: Shakespeare Recital, presented by CAPAB, with Leslie French.
1968: Richard III, presented by Theatre Workshop, directed by Helen McNamara, with Noel Morgan, Colin Ward, Iris Hawken, Philip Jackson, Harry Magnus, Jim Shorrock.
1969: Romeo and Juliet, presented by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, directed by Helen Mann, with Edith Porter, Jeremy Baylis, Colin Stevens, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Alice Krige.
1970: Twelfth Night, presented by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, directed by Leslie French. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Leslie French.
1971: The Merchant of Venice, presented by the Port Elizabeth Theatre Guild and the Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society, at Happy Valley, directed by Leslie French. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Roy Williams, Alf Porter, Leslie French.
Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival productions
Productions all produced by Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival. Most staged at Mannville, the open air venue in St George's Park.
1972: A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Leslie French, Starring Leslie Speyers, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Philip Godawa, Alf Porter, Leslie French.
1973: As You Like It directed by Leslie French. Starring Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Bud Baylis, Alf Porter, Leslie French.
1974: The Tempest directed by Leslie French. Starring David Crichton, Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Bud Baylis, Alf Porter
1975: Macbeth directed by Leslie French. Jeremy Baylis, Helen Mann, Helen Wilkins, Bruce Sanderson, Alf Porter, Bud Baylis.
1976: The Taming of the Shrew directed by Helen Mann. Starring Jeremy Baylis, Liz Shires, Helen Wilkins, Patrick Scott, Alf Porter, Jeremy Baylis.
1977: Hamlet directed by Helen Mann. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Lorraine Young, Gary Carter, Bud Baylis, Alf Porter, Joan Sneesby.
1978: Othello directed by Helen Mann - A tribute to John Shelton. Starring: Jeremy Baylis, Bud Baylis, Helen Wilkins, Patric Scott, Alf Porter, Gary Carter.
1979: Much Ado About Nothing directed by Helen Mann. Starring: Terry Codd, Trevor Hicks, Brigitte Johnson, Gwyn James, Alf Porter, Jacqui Palmer.
1980: Romeo and Juliet directed by Helen Mann. Starring: Amber Cummings, Trevor Hicks, Helen Wilkins, Gwyn James, Alf Porter, Ian Liston.
1981: Twelfth Night directed by Helen Mann. Starring: Robin Emslie, Carol-Ann Kellerher, Lorraine Young, Bruce Sanderson, Alf Porter, Themi Venturas.
1982: A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Helen Mann. Starring: Ian Liston, Trevor Hicks, John McDermott, Helen Wilkins, Alf Porter, Bruce Sanderson.
1983: As You Like It, directed by Helen Mann. Starring Ian Liston, Trevor Hicks, John McDermott, Lorraine Young, Alf Porter, Tony Sylvester.
1984: The Tempest, directed by Helen Mann. Starring John McDermott, Milton Drury, Ian Liston, Dave Whitehouse, Alf Porter, Andre Lemmer.
1985: King Lear, directed by Helen Mann. Starring John Hussey, Joan Sneesby, Helen Wilkins, Lorraine Young, Alf Porter, Andre Lemmer.
1986: Macbeth, directed by Helen Mann. Starring Ian Liston, Dianne Kingsley, Helen Wilkins, John McDermott, Alf Porter, Andre Lemmer.
1987: Hamlet, directed by Themi Venturas. Starring Ian Liston, Andre Lemmer, Helen Wilkins, Linda-Louise Swain, Alf Porter, Bob Law.
1988: Richard III, directed by Helen Mann. Starring Trevor Hicks, Noel Annear, Helen Wilkins, Marlene Pieterse, Alf Porter, Lorraine Young.
1989: The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Helen Mann. Starring Trevor Hicks, Dianne Kingsley, Brett Adkins, Bob Law, Alf Porter, Linda-Louise Swain.
1990: The Merchant of Venice, directed by Helen Mann. Starring John Hussey, Susanne Beyers, John McDermott, Linda-Louise Swain, Alf Porter, Noel Annear.
1991: Romeo and Juliet
1992: A Midsummer Night's Dream
1993: Twelfth Night
1994: Much Ado About Nothing
1995: Othello
1996: All the World's a Stage
1997: Romeo and Juliet
1998: Macbeth
1999: The Tempest
2000: Hamlet
2001: The Merchant of Venice
2002: The Taming of the Shrew
2003: King Lear
2004: Twelfth Night
2005: A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Helen Flax
2006: Much Ado About Nothing
2007: As You Like It
2008: Richard III
2009: Romeo and Juliet
2010: Othello
2011: A Midsummer Night's Dream
2012: Anthony and Cleopatra (at the Opera House)
2013: Hamlet (at the Little Theatre)
2014: Macbeth (at the Little Theatre)
2015: Twelfth Night directed by Lesley Barnard
2016: The Tempest directed by Helen Flax
2017: Much Ado About Nothing directed by Linda-Louise Swain.
2018: The Merchant of Venice, directed by Helen Flax.
2019: As You Like It, presented with Tarryn Light Productions, directed by Jacques Batista
2020: Romeo and Juliet, directed by Lesley Barnard
2022: The Taming of the Shrew, produced with PEMADS at the Little Theatre, directed by Gemma Alicia Barnard
Other (non-Shakespearean) productions presented by PESF
1971: Oliver! (presented with Grey Junior School)
1972: The Sound of Music at the Port Elizabeth Opera House and the Gelvandale Community Centre.
1973: Tinker's Curse
1975: Children of the Wolf
1978: The Crucible
1983: Shrivings
1984: The Gingerbread Lady
1991: M. Butterfly at the Port Elizabeth Opera House.
Andre Huguenet Memorial Lectures
1971: Prof Edward Davies
1972: Alec Bell
1973: P P B Breytenbach
1974: Maurice A Wiggett
1975: Siegfried Maynard
1976: Rodney M Phillips
1977: Prof Robert Mohr
1978: Barry Ronge
1979: Colin du Plessis
1980: Dr Temple Hauptfleisch
1981: Jonathan Paton
1982: Dr Norbert Nowotny
The Mannville Open-air Theatre
The Organisation enlisted the help of the Port Elizabeth Municipalities' Parks Department to built the open-air amphitheatre in St George's Park, later named Mannville Open-air Theatre (after founders Helen Mann and Bruce Mann – but with obvious echoes of the Cape Town example of Maynardville Open-air Theatre). John Shelton was responsible for constructing both of these open-air theatres.
See further Mannville Open-air Theatre
Sources
The Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival, An appreciation and a tribute. By John Hamber - undated but believed to be 1982.
The Herald, 20 April 2005
https://ivormarkman0.wixsite.com/mannville
Laurence Wright and Lin Gubb. 'A Tribute to "Stratford-on-Baakens": Thirty Years of the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival'. Shakespeare in Southem Africa Vol. 3. 1989. 1-8.
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