Grahamstown Amateur Company

The Grahamstown Amateur Company was an amateur theatrical society active in Grahamstown in the years 1837-1839, and performing under the motto Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense in the years 1837-1839.

The name also found as: the Theatrical Amateur Society [sic]

See also Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense

The company and venue

They performed in a small venue which was apparently "got up" by individuals referred to in the prologue as Rathbone, I'Ons and Turvey in 1837, for their first presentation. They were presumably members of the company and also participated in the performances

Their performances

They apparently produced the following plays:

In 1837: The Rivals (Sheridan) and Bombastes Furioso (Rhodes);

In 1838: The Castle Spectre, or The Ghost of Evelina (Lewis); The Rivals (Sheridan); Bombastes Furioso; Chrononhotonthologos (Carey); The Spectre Bridegroom (Moncrieffe); The Midnight Hour (Inchbald); Love Laughs at Locksmiths (Colman Jr); Fortune's Frolic and (possibly - though Bosman disputes this) the song Kaatje Kekkelbek. (However, there is some difference of opinion Bosman and Laidler on whether the works listed by Laidler for 1938 were performances done in Cape Town - as claimed by Laidler- or that at least some of them were actually performed in Grahamstown - as argued by Bosman).

In 1839: The Innkeeper of Abbeville (Fitzball); Love, Law and Physic (Kenney)

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]:pp. 388-390

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p. 40,

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