Difference between revisions of "Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society"
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The [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society]] (Also known as the '''[[Amateur Theatrical Society Port Elizabeth]]'''), is the first documented [[Amateur|amateur]] dramatic society in Port Elizabeth, apparently founded in 1853. | The [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society]] (Also known as the '''[[Amateur Theatrical Society Port Elizabeth]]'''), is the first documented [[Amateur|amateur]] dramatic society in Port Elizabeth, apparently founded in 1853. | ||
| − | The town was first founded in 1820, and though theatrical productions seem to have taken place earlier since at least the mid-1830s, with performances taking place in the first productions actually named date from 1853, when the town completed there own venue, the new [[Port Elizabeth Theatre]], probably the [[Lyceum | + | The town was first founded in 1820, and though theatrical productions seem to have taken place earlier since at least the mid-1830s, with performances taking place in the first productions actually named date from 1853, when the town completed there own venue, the new [[Port Elizabeth Theatre]], probably the [[The Lyceum]] theatre (wrongly cited as the [[Lycean Theatre]] by Bosman, 1928: p. 508) |
The Society continued productions up to 1858 (though [[P.J. du Toit]] says 1856). The [[Lyceum Theatre]] was sold (1858) and the Society was temporarily dissolved. In the 1860s a [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Club]] became active in the town. | The Society continued productions up to 1858 (though [[P.J. du Toit]] says 1856). The [[Lyceum Theatre]] was sold (1858) and the Society was temporarily dissolved. In the 1860s a [[Port Elizabeth Dramatic Club]] became active in the town. | ||
Revision as of 06:59, 7 November 2016
The Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society (Also known as the Amateur Theatrical Society Port Elizabeth), is the first documented amateur dramatic society in Port Elizabeth, apparently founded in 1853.
The town was first founded in 1820, and though theatrical productions seem to have taken place earlier since at least the mid-1830s, with performances taking place in the first productions actually named date from 1853, when the town completed there own venue, the new Port Elizabeth Theatre, probably the The Lyceum theatre (wrongly cited as the Lycean Theatre by Bosman, 1928: p. 508)
The Society continued productions up to 1858 (though P.J. du Toit says 1856). The Lyceum Theatre was sold (1858) and the Society was temporarily dissolved. In the 1860s a Port Elizabeth Dramatic Club became active in the town.
Their performances
1853: The newly established Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society opened there on 26 August with She Stoops to Conquer (Goldsmith) and Did you ever send your wife to Camberwell? (Coyne), playing two nights.
1853: On 22 October they did selections of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, followed by The Spare Bed (Fox Cooper), An Unwarrantable Intrusion ( Morton).
1854: Performed the The Road to Ruin (Holcroft), and The Thumping Legacy (Morton) on 7 July.
1855: Performed The Rivals (Sheridan) in the new Port Elizabeth Theatre in August, with The Fast Train (Anon.), assisted by the Port Elizabeth Amateur Musical Society.
[TH]
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 421, 508
"Port Elizabethy Theatre, in The Cape Monitor, 10 September, 1853)
P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica
Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p.
P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p.
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