Empire Theatre

The name given to a number of venues in South Africa over the years.

The Empire Theatre, Bloemfontein

History

A short-lived variety theatre which opened in Bloemfontein during 1905, which, according to J. Haasbroek (1998), was "not only the first real theatre in Bloemfontein, but also the only variety theatre ever founded in the city, at a time when this type of theatre was already well-established in other parts of the country". It was a going concern for only about one month.

Sources

J. Haasbroek, South African Journal of Cultural History Vol. 12, Issue 2, November, 1998

The First Empire Theatre)

History

This usually refers to Empire Palace of Varieties, the new name given to the Globe Theatre (1889-1994) in Johannesburg when it reopened on the 1st December 1894. .

See Johannesburg

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

Johannesburg 1912 – Suburb by suburb research (Blog by Marc Latilla): Theatres in early Johannesburg, v[1]

The Empire Theatre , Johannesburg

History

Theatre and picture palace in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, built by African Consolidated Theatres in 19**.

It was demolished in 197*

Productions there

Staged the pantomime Aladdin in 1945 starring Ivy Tresmand. André Huguenet acted opposite Berdine Grunewald in Die Kwaksalwer in 1939 in the Empire Theatre. The Desert Song was staged here in the early Forties. It was produced by African Theatres, who also invited John Connell to present his operas, such as Tosca, here in 1941. Bertha Egnos staged Bo Jungle in association with African Theatres at the Empire in 1959. African Theatres presented My Fair Lady, starring Diane Todd and David Oxley, here in 1962. It played to 234 packed houses before repeating its success in Cape Town and Durban. Durban producer Des Morley brought The King and I here in August 1963. Anthony Farmer staged and designed the sets of the Moulin Rouge show from Paris for ACT at the Empire in 1964. ACT presented Zizi Jeanmaire at the Empire in a large-scale revue in 1965. Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke co-devised The Minstrel Scandals for ACT, which opened in Cape Town before playing at the Empire in 1966. Boris Cohen was the musical director, and performers included Aubrey Ellis, Lynton Burns, Olive King, Michael Fisher, Stephanie Shiller, Beryl Ellis, Jeanette James, Ronnie Grainge and Charles Stodel with Joan Brickhill playing the lead girl. Taubie Kushlick directed Fiddler on the Roof for ACT at the Empire in 1969. It starred Simon Israeli and Lya Dulizkaya with dances staged by Kip Andrews. West Side Story, an Academy production came from the Alexander to play here circa 1970. It starred Michael Harrison, Patricia Arnell, Lynton Burns and Richard Loring, Delia Sainsbury and Keith Galloway. Kip Andrews directed and choreographed while Anthony Farmer did the set design. Paul Jannsen was the stage director. Brickhill-Burke directed, devised, designed, choreographed and lit All-New, non-Stop Minstrel Scandals which was staged here in October 1970. Charles Stodel signed Lucky Grills to join Joan, Aubrey Ellis, Jean Dell, Barbara Thomson and Fredie Uphof on stage. This proved to be the closing show for the Empire. ****

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

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