Difference between revisions of "The Alexander Playhouse"
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==Founding, function and history== | ==Founding, function and history== | ||
| − | [[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963 | + | [[The Playhouse]] was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the [[Dramatic Society of East London]] (DRAMSOC) in 1963. It was originally called [[The Playhouse]], but was later re-named [[The Alexander Playhouse]] in 1999 after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, [[Lynette Alexander]]. Aside from DRAMSOC utilizing the venue, the venue was used for various workshops and the [[Junior Dramatic Society]] used to meet there once every fortnight. Initially DRAMSOC rented the land on a 20-year-lease but later raised sufficient funds to buy it outright. During the period that the [[Guild Theatre]] was closed for refurbishments, [[Lynette Alexander]] and her daughter [[Michele Brandenburger]] introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue. |
| − | + | '''For more information, see [[Alexander Playhouse]].''' | |
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==Productions== | ==Productions== | ||
Revision as of 22:12, 10 May 2026
The Alexander Playhouse is a theatre in East London.
Founding, function and history
The Playhouse was originally built as a rehearsal venue for the Dramatic Society of East London (DRAMSOC) in 1963. It was originally called The Playhouse, but was later re-named The Alexander Playhouse in 1999 after the Society's long-time chair and founding member, Lynette Alexander. Aside from DRAMSOC utilizing the venue, the venue was used for various workshops and the Junior Dramatic Society used to meet there once every fortnight. Initially DRAMSOC rented the land on a 20-year-lease but later raised sufficient funds to buy it outright. During the period that the Guild Theatre was closed for refurbishments, Lynette Alexander and her daughter Michele Brandenburger introduced dinner/theatre productions at the venue.
For more information, see Alexander Playhouse.
Productions
Aside from the popular Showstoppers productions, DRAMSOC has staged many different types of shows at the venue, including musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease and Hairspray, Valentine's cabarets, drama and comedy productions, Shakespeare and staged play readings.
The theatre also presented productions by visiting artists, and some of the first shows were Circle of Love, featuring Judy Page and her daughter Kim Callie, and Good Vibrations, directed by Themi Venturas and starring Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy. Other early cabaret artists who performed at the theatre include Kevin Feather, Elzabe Zietsman and Casper de Vries.
Sources
'A history of East London’s theatres', ShowMe (online), 1 August 2019 (https://showme.co.za/east-london/events-entertainment/east-londons-theatres-and-their-history/)
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