Frank Rogaly

Frank Rogaly (1909-1987). Public relations consultant. Director of Bookings company in Port Elizabeth. Theatre impressario and booking agent.

Biography

Youth

Theatrical debut in 1915 (age 7) in Port Elizabeth Opera House.

Career

Member of Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit in 1940.

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

In Port Elizabeth he was a member of the *** Theatrical Society and was co-opted as a member of the first working committee of the Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of South Africa (FATSSA) in 1937/8*? to organise their second conference in Port Elizabeth.

With the outbreak of war became a founder member of the Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit under Major Myles Bourke, where he was responsible for a large number of productions in South Africa and in North Africa. His first wartime revue, Springbok Follies was a produced at the Empire Theatre in 1941 and played to capacity.

He found his niche working for ACT and directing. He directed the pantomime Dick Whittington for ACT’s last production of 1952 for which they brought out Terry-Thomas.

He was transferred to Port Elizabeth by ACT after one of his shows flopped at the box-office. He opened a booking facility in Port Elizabeth in the 1960s after he left ACT, Bookings and Theatre Consultants (Pty) Ltd. and became the person every management consulted about touring a show to that city. In this capacity he hosted numerous shows and personalities in Port Elizabeth over the years.

He was instrumental in saving the old Port Elizabeth Opera House from the demolishers, which led to it being declared a national monument.

Awards, etc

As an honour to Frank and to show the appreciation of the public of Port Elizabeth for what he had done in saving the Port Elizabeth Opera House from the demolishers, a portrait of Frank Rogaly (painted by the late Neil Rogers) was then commissioned and hung in full view of all on the main staircase landing of the old building. (Later sadly due to the usual political interference, the portrait of the man who had saved the building from certain demolition, was quietly removed and replaced by a simple framed hanging mirror. The hanging mirror has now been replaced with a stained-glass window, honouring three well known Eastern Cape actors and playwrights - Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona and John Kani).

In 1987 becomes one of the first five recipients of the SACPAC Honours Award for his contirbution to the entertainment industry in South Africa.

Sources

SATJ, Sept. 1987.

Showbiz, June 1973.

Tucker, 1997. 18, 66-67.

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Opera House, http://thecasualobserver.co.za/port-elizabeth-yore-opera-house/

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