Theatre de L'Union
A French company briefly active in Cape Town in 1848. Founded by professional French actors from the the disbanded Dalle Case Company, because they felt that Dalle Case had failed to find suitable venues for their performances and, in some instances, had not paid them. Forced them to look out for themselves, they separate from him and, led by Messrs L. Victor, C. Crosset and X. Hus, announced the new company on 25 March 1848 under the motto "L'Union". It hence became known as the Thêàtre de L'Union (written Theatre de L'Union by Bosman).
Their first performance was on Friday March 31 1848 at the Garrison Theatre: The Resources of Jonah (Scribe). Having been dissatisfied with both the Hope Street Theatre and the Garrison Theatre, the company finally settled into the Drury Lane Theatre for a run of six successful performances. Programmes consisted out of vaudeville, song and dance. Its last performance was on September 25, 1848 in the Commercial Exchange, before ill-health and their lack of variety saw them fading into oblivion early in 1849.
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman, 1928: pp.437-9;
Laidler, 1926
[TH, JH]
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