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, Johannesburg

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 Empire Palace of Varieties, Johannesburg

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

Johannesburg 1912 – Suburb by suburb research (Blog by Marc Latilla): Theatres in early Johannesburg,(Posted: July 29, 2013 at 9:25 pm)[1]

The Empire Theatre , Johannesburg

History

An "atmospheric" theatre and picture palace in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, built by African Consolidated Theatres in 1936, on the site of the demolished Empire Palace of Varieties at 135/7 Commissioner Street (corner of Kruis Street). It became one of the most active theatres in the city for many years.

The site on which the theatre stood gradually became immensely valuable and eventually - and controversially - it was pulled down in April 1971, in the face of much public protest from the artistic community, the press and the general public.

Productions there

The theatre was at the heart of the entertainment business in Johannesburg, and saw hundreds of productions come and go over the 35 years of its active existence. The many productions, many of them produced by owners African Theatres themselves, include:

1939: Die Kwaksalwer, with André Huguenet and Berdine Grunewald 1940s: The Desert Song;

1941: Tosca (directed by John Connell),

1945: Aladdin (starring Ivy Tresmand). .

1959: Bo Jungle by Bertha Egnos in association with African Theatres

1962; My Fair Lady (with Diane Todd and David Oxley).

1963: The King and I , directed by Des Morley;

1964: here in August 1963.

1964: The Moulin Rouge Show from Paris, directed and designed by Anthony Farmer for ACT.

1965: Zizi Jeanmaire live in a large-scale revue.

1966: The Minstrel Scandals by Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke co-devised 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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