English Amateur Company

A somewhat generic name, which was often used by newspapers and other sources in Cape Town in the 19th century, to refer to a company performing in English. However there are specific cases where this seems to have been the name chosen by the company.

The English Amateur Company in Cape Town 1851-1853

More specifically it appears to have been the name of a company founded after W.F.H. Parker's New English Theatrical Company (active in the years 1847-1852), had ceased to exist, and was then replaced by a company founded by some of the members of the former group and initially they performed in the revitalized Garrison Theatre with the help officers of the garrison. Later, they possibly broke away from the officers, but took in members of James Lycett's disbanded company, to perform plays in the revitalized garrison Theatre in Cape Town.

Their performances included Don Cesar de Bazan, or Love and Honour (Webster and Boucicault) and Thimble Rig (Buckstone) on 3 December 1851; The Golden Farmer, or The Last Crime (Benjamin Webster) and How to Pay the Rent (Tyrone Power) on 3 September 1852; Luke the Labourer, or The Lost Son (Buckstone) and Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw (Morton) on 19 October 1852, repeated on 24 October.

Sources

Bosman, 1928: pp 417-423;

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