Thêàtre de L'Union
A French company briefly active in Cape Town in 1848.
It was founded by professional French performers from the disbanded Dalle Case Company, to provide them with work in Cape Town, because they felt that Dalle Case had failed to find suitable venues for their performances and, in some instances, had not paid them. Forced to look out for themselves, they separated from him and, led by Messrs L. Victor, C. Crosset and X. Hus, on 25 March 1848 announced the formation of a new theatrical company 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 and included : 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 of vaudeville, song and dance. The company's 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]
For more information
Return to
Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
