Garrison Theatre

Garrison Theatre or Barracks Theatre as terms

When used as general terms, refer to two things, both of which had a significant impact on the shape theatre would take in Southern Africa: (1) theatre performed in the regimental barracks by the officers and soldiers of the garrison stationed in South Africa, initially in Cape Town, where for example, it referred to dramatic entertainments performed in the regimental barracks in Cape Town by the Dutch, French and English soldiers till well into the 19th century. (Hence also referred to as Barracks Theatre) The repertoire was both classical and non-classical and for many years it was only the men who performed. (2) the second reference is to the physical performance space or venue in the barracks where such performances were held. (See also Garrison Players below) (See Fletcher, 1994; Bosman, 1928; Du Toit, 1988; Schauffer, 19)

Overview of the occurrence of Garrison Theatre or Barracks Theatre in South Africa

In the Cape there were three phases of occupation under the Dutch, the French and the British garrisons. We look briefly at each. The Dutch occupation (1652-1781): Though the Dutch under van Riebeeck arrived in 1652, the first references to theatre (="comedy") in the Dutch garrison at the Cape of Good Hope by Mentzel (quoted in Bosman I, p18) refers to occasional "mummeries" performed as part of the entertainments in the period 1733-1741. No references to this are found before then. The French (Batavian) occupation (1781-1795): In 1781 a French fleet arrived in Simonstown, and settled a garrison of soldiers in Cape Town to protect the Dutch colony from the English. (Holland and France had become allies of the Americans). This swelled the garrison to between 2000 and 3000 men in the period 1781 to 1784. In this period Cape Town became known as "Little Paris", with everyone favouring French fashions and, according to the traveller Le Vaillant, French plays. Soldiers apparently drilled in the morning and performed comedies in the afternoon. Among the plays performed was definitely The Barber of Seville by Baumarchais, and there are reasons to believe that The Marriage of Figaro might even have been seen there before it was seen in Paris. Performances were held in the barracks, and the roles of women were played by men. Costumes however (along with other favours perhaps) were obtained from the ladies of the town. This eventually led to trouble in the colony and a reaction against the performances from the Dutch community. This, and the departure of the French in 1785 seems to have brought an end to European style theatre in the colony for a number of years. The English occupation (1795 – 1902): When the British took the Cape in 1795, they settled a large garrison of about 5000 professional soldiers there. The officers, drawn from the aristocracy, brought the culture of England to the Cape. This included clublife, fox-hunting, horse-racing, concerts, balls, and theatre. However, very few records of any actual theatre presentations before 1800, though they assuredly must have taken place among the officers. Certainly a little Barracks Theatre existed in the hospital, and was used for performances. Apparently the director of the hospital, Dr Edmund Somers promoted these and his wife wrote and delivered the prologues and epilogues on these occasions. Their first production was Taste by Samuel Foote. A "review" of this appeared in Lady Anne Barnard's journal on 1 June 1800. It was this production which led to the building of the African Theatre. (See further Barracks Theatre, French Theatre below and in Part Three, Section 1, and the entries under the various cities and towns - e.g. The Garrison Theatre, Cape Town; The Garrison Theatre, Grahamstown.) [TH] (See: Bosman 1, pp18-19, 27-32, 60-63; Fletcher, pp 16-22, Schauffer, 197*)

Barracks Theatre and/or Garrison Theatre as the name of a venue =

There were a variety of spaces in the soldiers barracks, set aside for performances for theatre by the officers and men of the various British garrisons during the 18th century.

Barracks Theatre and/or Garrison Theatre in Cape Town

This was successively in use by the Dutch, German, French and English soldiers till well into the 19th century and were alternatively referred to as the Barracks Theatre or the Garrison Theatre.

It is evident from descriptions and such programmes as are available that performances by the garrison in its barracks were frequent and popular from the first Dutch occupation till well after the building of the African Theatre. The first proper acting company was stablished by French officers in 1781 in the barracks, utilized various spaces over the years. The German Amateurs theatrical group apparently performed plays in German or Dutch in the Cape between about 1788 and 1799, also in the Barracks. Continued by British regiments from 1795 to 1800, though precisely what rooms were used and how, is uncertain. Eventually however, at the behest of Dr Somers, the Garrison Amateur Company obtained a specifically allotted and furnished hospital wing in the barracks to convert into a small theatre. Clearly it was a makeshift affair, uncomfortable and badly ventilated, but popular. (See the letters of Lady Anne Barnard in this regard for example.) Apparently for a while it was referred to as The Sealines Theatre by Mrs Somers. This particular theatre was formally closed on 12 August 1801 when the players moved to the the newly opened African Theatre. Nevertheless they continued using what was generally referred to as the Barracks Theatre for some of their productions, even while also using the African Theatre till its closure in 1839. After this the Barracks Theatre was again used on and off for military and public entertainments till late in the 19th century. The Garrison Amateur Company and its successors thus continued to play in the Barracks from 1825 to 1828, 1834 to 1838, and from 1840 to at least 1855. Because the public was not allowed, few programmes of productions there are extant. By 1857 they apparently used " an immense room on the second floor of the barracks, with boxes, gallery and pit and held a very large audience ... it was being used by non-commissioned officers and men of the 73rd regiment." (W. Groom, Cape Illusrated Magazine, November, 1899) (See Fletcher, 1994; Bosman, 1928; Du Toit, 1988) [JF, JH, TH].

The Barracks, Fort Napier

See Garrison Theatre, Pietermaritzburg.

Garrison Theatre, Grahamstown

Apparently one of the theatres utilized by the officers of the garrison circa 1853. In that year they did, as their last performances Love à la Mode (Macklin) and The Three Clerks. (Bosman 1928, Laidler, 1926)

Garrison Theatre, Pietermaritzburg

The Barracks: A temporary space in Fort Napier, utilized for a performance of amateur theatre in 1846. Replaced by The Garrison Theatre on 10th August 1846.

The Garrison Theatre: It opened on 10th August 1846 as the first theatre building in Pietermaritzburg. Built as permanent theatre of corrugated iron,, it seated 500 and had boxes, a gallery, pit, orchestra and a stage with box rollers, velvets, slides, drops, chandeliers and footlights. Described as comfortable, with excellent acoustics.

The Victoria Theatre: The Garrison Theatre was almost immediately renamed The Victoria Theatre on 21st August 1846. The opening production was Douglas and Annimal Magnetism (sic). Final production was The Child of Nature and Borough Politics on 1 April 1850. Twenty-four plays were presented in total. Closed in April 1850

It was followed by the St George's Theatre as a formal theatre venue in Pietermaritzburg in 1864.

(D S) (See Schauffer, 19** and Fletcher, 1994)

The Garrison Players

A general name used to refer to the groups of officers who performed in the garrison venues, wherever the garrison may be stationed . Also variously known under various (often ad hoc) names such as the English Theatricals, the Garrison Theatricals, the Garrison Players, Gentlemen of the Garrison, the Gentlemen Amateurs, the Garrison Amateur Company, the English Theatrical Amateur Company, or often simply the Amateur Company. Bosman (1928) also argues that they were at times utilized by other companies, and were then referred to as (the) Gentlemen Players. (See entry below.)

See further under Garrison Players (or related titles) for the individual cities and towns.

Garrison Amateur Company

Name under which the frequent performances by the British Garrison at the Cape was advertised, from at least 1822 onwards, having been (Bosman, 1928;) [JH]

Garrison Players, Cape Town

The most prominent of the theatrical companies, the Cape Town garrison company effectively existed under various names and guises for more than half a century, providing theatrical continuity in the Cape, often with help of visiting professionals or local amateur performers.

They initally played with the permission, and later under the patronage of, the Governor, in spaces set aside in the regimental barracks for this purpose (usually referred to as the Barracks Theatre or Garrison Theatre). Once constructed, they also utilized the African Theatre, though by the 1830s they favoured the Garrison Theatre again, since it was now a more permanent and well equipped space.

Initially only members of the regiment could perform, and certainly no women. But gradually women began to participate as well, and often guest performers from visiting ships were utilized. Over the years a number of key figures formed part of the group – Dr Edmund Somers and his wife, who possibly started the group as a coherent entity in 1799, Captain W. Frazer and his friends (1800-1802), Captain Carter and Captain Thomas Sheridan (1820-22). They were one of the few groups in Cape Town really able to survive the Puritan assult on theatre (1838), since they had their own independent theatre in the barracks. By 1828 this seems to have become the Gentlemen Amateurs (from an earlier name, the "Gentlemen of the Garrison"), and by 1829, the English Theatrical Amateur Company, although by 1830 it was already defunct. By 1834, however, the garrison once again fielded a company of players which performed regularly under the name of Garrison Amateur Company, and except for perhaps a brief period in 1839, continued into the 1850s. Prominent names in this period appear to have been Mr D. M'Donald (who seems to have been the leader, Captain Hall of the 73rd Regiment, Mr Wellesley and Mr Priestley.

Obviously the war in India (1842) and the outbreak of the border wars between 1850 and 1853 naturally curtailed the garrison’s theatrical activities to a large degree. In 1855 they supported the performances by the famous actor G.V. Brooke, but shortly thereafter the appearance of permanent professional theatre at the Cape with the arrival of Sefton Parry caused them to disband finally.

[TH, JH]

Garrison Players King William’s Town

Circa 1862. Performed in the Cornish Theatre. (Bosman 1928, Fletcher 1994, Laidler 1926)

Other military performances in later years

See also UDF Entertainment Unit, SA Defense Force Entertainment Units, Anchor Players **

Sources

Bosman, 1928

Fletcher, 1994

Laidler, 1926

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page