The Alexander Playhouse

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, eleven years after DRAMSOC was founded. It was designed by architect Mr Bennie Shapiro. It was originally named The Playhouse, but was later re-named The Alexander Playhouse in (?) after the Society's long-time chair, Lynette Alexander.

Aside from DRAMSOC utilizing the venue, the playhouse 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, the playhouse was used as the main venue in East London to keep the theatre vibe alive. It was at this point that the dinner/theatre concept was introduced by one of DRAMSOC’s founding members, Lynette Alexander (who the playhouse was later named after) and her daughter Michele. Out of town performers were brought in around this time and some of the first shows staged at the playhouse 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 include Kevin Feather, Elzabe Zietsman and Casper de Vries.

The revenue that was much needed for DRAMSOC was provided by Lynette’s December Showstopper productions which were sold out every year and money ploughed back into the venue – the playhouse was then able to improve on many things including an upgrade to the sound system, adding air conditioning, a dressing room, bathroom etc and increasing the size of the stage.

It was for the production of ‘Hairspray’ in December 2011 that the playhouse designed and created their own little orchestra pit, utilizing the area under the stage. In December 2012 the Alexander Playhouse celebrated DRAMSOC’s 60th anniversary with a Showstoppers Diamond Jubilee, directed by Michele Brandenburg.

Productions

Aside from the popular Showstoppers productions, the playhouse has staged many different types of shows including the major musicals ‘Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Hairspray’, Valentine cabarets, full scale drama and comedy productions, Shakespeare, candlelight and staged play readings.