Mr Cuerton

Mr Cuerton (17**-18**) was probably a former professional thespian attached to or used by the at the amateurs of the British garrison at the Cape from about 1813 till 1815.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

He was apparently the chief organizer of productions for the Garrison Players in this period, not only directing and participating in productions, but also at times being responsible for the sale of tickets from his quarters at number 8 Lely Street.

He seems to have been a singer and dancer himself, often performing in this capacity in interludes between plays, and clearly had an interest in the pantomime, according to Bosman (1928: p.144) influencing the early work of Charles Etienne Boniface.

Among the productions where we find him specifically mentioned are -

In 1813: a Harlequin Pantomime, presented on 17 June as a benefit performance "for the widows and orphans of the troops in the Garrison", and including a military concert; on 17 July with The Village Lawyer (Macready) and on 14 August with a shortened version of Shakespeare's King Lear. On 23 October he is responsible for an evening of song and dance, as accompaniment to The Village Lawyer and Robinson Crusoe, or Harlequin Friday (Sheridan).

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 143-146, 159-177.

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities C

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page