Open-air theatre

This is sometimes written Open Air theatre

Open-air theatre as concept

Generally this can refer to any performance space in the outdoors, including amphitheatres, arenas, stadia, and foubnd spaces such as street,

Amphitheatre

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphitheatre See also Arena and Stadium

Arena

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena See also Amphitheatre and Stadium

Found-space theatre

Documented early colonial examples in South Africa

In his book With a Show Through Southern Africa Charles Du Val explains how he set up a found-space theatre in a "public room" in Middleburg, Cape, on the same day as the performance of Odds and Ends was to be given. The local inhabitants did not think it was possible to set up a theatre in time for the advertised hour for the performance but somehow they managed to haul down the baggage - with all the props and costumes - from the wagons with the help of the local Fingo tribesmen. Seats were brought in from one place, lamps from another, barrels from a third and planks from a fourth, and a platform was built. Six of Kreli's men were roped in to carry the heavy piano for which they were rewarded with as many copious servings of Cape brandy as they wanted.

"Shade of Mendelssohn; there's a chord as a gentle Fingo pushes up the keyboard in his enthusiasm, and strikes about three octaves simultaneously with his siney arm," he wrote.

Eventually the piano reached the "public room" just "as the audience assembled on the steps outside."

Everything was provided and "with the good-natured assistance afforded, the eight o'clock chime of the town clock saw everything complete, the curtain ready to draw up, and 'the show just agoing to commence'."

Stadium

A modern stadium (plural stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event. This may at times be used for festivals, pageants and other large scale theatrical events. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium)

See also Arena and Amphitheatre

Open-air theatres in South Africa

Good Hope Gardens, open-air theatre, the Gardens, Cape Town.

In 1882, Charles Du Val published his book With a Show Through Southern Africa and personal reminiscences of the Transvaal War, in which he relates giving a "grand farewell night" performance of Odds and Ends in the Good Hope Gardens.

He said that the gardens were given this name "more for purposes of nomenclature than for botanical reasons, for they have small claims on horticulture to recommend them; they possess 'bright and shining' gas lights here and there among the trees, subservient entirely to the will of the breeze, and there is a band-stand, and an open-air theatre.

"Du Val organised for the band and pipers of the 91st, later the Sutherland and Argyll Highlanders, to "add their brazen charms and for the 'Hieland pipes' to add 'to the attractions of the evening'.

The south-easter wind blew that night and "the Highlanders made a stolid fight against the howling wind as it rushed and rustled through the trees.

"The Gardens were crowded, the band crashed away; some people promenaded, others skated in the rink; the enterprising lessee of the place discharged a few half-hearted squibs, some very unorthodox Roman candles, and about a dozen semi-paralysed rockets, which he was pleased to call a 'grand fireworks display'."

Happy Valley Open-air Theatre, Humewood, Port Elizabeth.

Before the construction of the open-air theatres, bands, such as the band of Prince Alfred's Guard would entertain beach-goers, first loosely seated with spectators sitting around in an informal manner and then with the band seated in an enclosure surrounded by a low fence.

An open-air theatre was later constructed in Happy Valley.

The theatre, built in 1938, was known as Happy Valley Theatre, and consisted of a raised covered stage with chairs arranged on the grass.

On January 6, 1938, Jock Duff and his Vaudevillians started their nightly run at the Happy Valley Theatre. In the event of bad weather, the show was moved to the nearby Humewood Cafe which had a restaurant/theatre inside known as the Lido during the Second World War years. It was later renamed the Dolorico Cafe. In the 1960s the venue was known as the Palm Grove. The building was demolished after the 1968 flood.

January 16, 1938: A "Grand Special Concert" was staged starring vocalists Mr I.B. Shaw, Miss Nellie Daly and Mr Arthur Bevan (The Great Comic). The musical director was Herr H. Schneider. The show included songs such as Jolly Fellows Waltz by Robert Vollstedt, The Right o' the Line by G O Walker, A Happy Song by Tereses del Riego and While old times rolls gaily on by Hutton.

The Happy Valley Theatre was used in the afternoons for free Punch and Judy shows.

The Happy Valley Amphitheatre, Humewood, Port Elizabeth

The the Happy Valley Amphitheatre, was constructed under the supervision of John Shelton after the devastating flood of September 1968 during which Happy Valley was totally destroyed.

In February 1971, the Happy Valley Amphitheatre opened with the newly formed Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival's production of The Merchant of Venice. Produced by and starring Leslie French as Shylock, it was staged to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Republic of South Africa.

Starring: Reg Hicks (The Duke of Venice), Wilhelm van der Nest (The Prince of Morocco), Rocky Mann and Paul Mann (Attendants to the Prince of Morocco), Derek Scarr (Prince of Arragon), Philip Jackson (Antonio), Jeremy Baylis (Bassanio), Philip Godawa (Solanio), Roy Williams (Gratiano), Neil Graer (Salarino), Trevor Hicks (Lorenzo), Leslie French (Shylock), Avery Dorward (Tubal), Bruce Sanderson (Launcelot Gobbo), Alfred Porter (Old Gobbo), Michael Bateson (Leonardo), Ronald Hicks (Balthasar), Dawson Whitehead (Stephano), Helen Mann (Portia), Helen St C Wilkins (Nerissia), Margaret Gillmore (Jessica).

Lords, Ladies, Servants and other Attendants: Michael Bateson, Dawson Whitehead, Lenel van den Berg, Ronald Hicks, Dennis Slattery, Colleen Channon, Maeve o'Regan, Yvonne Howell, Claudine Johnson, Sue Donald and Maureen Huber.

Elaine Bateson (Assistant to Producer), John Shelton (Technical Consultant), Waldie Bartie (Stage Manager), Yvonne Howell (Choreography), Edith Porter (Wardrobe), Evelyn Barnes (Makeup), Billy Fletcher (Lighting), Helen Wilkens (Production Secretary), Leslie French (Costumes and Settings).

The Happy Valley Amphitheatre was only used for one production as it was found the damp sea air and wind made conditions very unpleasant.

In 1972 the Shakespearean Festival was given a new venue in St George's Park which was named Mannville after Bruce and Helen Mann. The first production staged there was A Midsummer Night's Dream produced by Leslie French.

King's Beach Amphitheatre - Humewood, Port Elizabeth.

This entertainment complex was built in the 1960s and consisted of the amphitheatre with a raised stage, kiddies paddling pool, a miniature train, ablution facilities, change rooms and a cafe. The sea air took its toll on the buildings and the complex was eventually demolished in ????.

The stage was used for many free functions, especially during the festive season, and also for the Miss Port Elizabeth competition.

St George's Park Swimming Pool.

In 1938 Taubie Kushlick produced William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on and around the swimming pool. Oberon and his court made merry with the revels of Puck and the Fairies. The Mechanicals played their music on a raft floating on the water and fears were expressed that it would capsize, but fortunately, this never happened.

Theatres in the park

Mannville Open-air Theatre

Founded in 1971 in St George's Park, Port Elizabeth.

See Mannville Open-air Theatre

Maynardville Open-air Theatre

Founded in 1950 in Maynardville Park, Wynberg, Cape Town.

See Maynardville Open-air Theatre

The Open Air Theatre, Durban

Open Air Theatre Durban Botanic Gardens Durban, 02 South Africa

Sources

Charles du Val. 1882. With a Show Through Southern Africa and Personal Reminiscences of the Transvaal War (Volume 1 & 2): Tinsley Brothers, 8 Catherine Street, Strand.

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