Performing Arts Council of the Orange Free State

One of the four provincial Performing Arts Councils, founded in 1963 to replace the National Theatre Organisation with its offices in Bloemfontein. After 1994 it became the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS)

History - After 1994 political transformation

In 1996 PACOFS became a section 21 (non-profit) company with reduced state subsidy and a management board appointed by the minister of Arts Culture, Science and Technology. In April 1997 PACOFS closed their drama department and over a period reduced their total staff from 300 to 91 and started functioning primarily as a playhouse for productions in the Sand du Plessis Theatre, the André Huguenet Theatre and the Civic Theatre in Bloemfontein and the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre in Welkom. In December 1999 Pacofs severed ties with the city council of Welkom, who were the managers of the Oppenheimer Theatre, as result of bad debts of about R1,2 million. The theatre’s staff was retrenched and the doors closed.

When PACOFS closed their drama department, in contrast to the professional theatre artists in the other provinces, those in the Free State took the initiative and under leadership of Gerben Kamper, artistic director of PACOFS, the Free State Ensemble, based at the Sterrewag Theatre (Observatory Theatre) in Bloemfontein, was formed in 1997. (JvH)

Management

Registered as a society not for gain, it was headed by a policy-making council chaired by the provincial administrator and representative of all interested parties, including the province, the city municipality, the department of national education, the business sector as well as representatives of the various performing art forms. Their function was to provide provide artists and artisans with a secure career option, to develop and promote drama, ballet, music and opera by offering audiences in the province with regular professional productions.

Productions

Imported productions

Together with the other three performing arts councils they staged The Great Waltz for their Christmas production in 1987 and Singin’ in the Rain for their Christmas production in 1988. Together with NAPAC and PACT they presented Lerner and Louwe’s Camelot at the State Theatre in 1989. Together with PACT and NAPAC they staged My Fair Lady for their Christmas production in 1990. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a combined performing arts council’s production which ran from 1990 to 1991. Together with CAPAB and NAPAC they presented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! in 1993. **** PACOFS/NAPAC Loft Comp. Herman Charles Bosman: The storyteller. Adapted for stage: Val Rosenberg; Dir: Michael Swinton; with Roger Dwyer & Stephen Gurneuy, Philippa Gutridge & Bruce Young. Sand du Plessis Theatre, 1985

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

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