Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society

The Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society (Also known as the Amateur Theatrical Society Port Elizabeth), is the first documented amateur dramatic society in Port Elizabeth, founded in 1853.

The town was first founded in 1820, and though theatrical productions seem to have taken place earlier since at least the mid-1830s, with performances taking place in the first productions actually named date from 1853, when the town completed there own venue, the new Port Elizabeth Theatre, possibly called the Lycean Theatre (the Lyceum Theatre?)].

The Society continued productions up to 1858 (though P.J. du Toit says 1856). The Lyceum Theatre was sold (1858) and the Society was temporarily dissolved.

Their performances

1853: The newly established Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society opened there on 26 August with She Stoops to Conquer (Goldsmith) and Did you ever send your wife to Camberwell? (Coyne), playing two nights.

1853: On 22 October they did selections of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, followed by The Spare Bed (Fox Cooper), An Unwarrantable Intrusion ( Morton).

1854: Performed the The Road to Ruin (Holcroft), and The Thumping Legacy (Morton) on 7 July.

1855: Performed The Rivals (Sheridan) in the new Port Elizabeth Theatre in August, with The Fast Train (Anon.), assisted by the Port Elizabeth Amateur Musical Society.

The Road to Ruin (Holcroft), as well as The Thumping Legacy and An Unwarrantable Intrusion (both by J.M. Morton).

Port Elizabeth’s theatricals were considered to be ahead of Cape Town’s during this time. The Society continued productions up to 1858 (though P.J. du Toit says 1856). The Lyceum was sold (1858) and the Society temporarily dissolved. CHECK THIS

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