Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap
Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap ("The Private Dutch Theatre-loving Company") (1844 – 1846- 1855; 1865-1910)
(Also written as Het Privaat Hollandsch Tooneellievend Gezelschap.)
One of the longest lasting of Dutch amateur theatre society formed in Cape Town 1844 from the amalgamation of Tot Nut en Vermaak and Door Yver Vruchtbaar. Their motto was "Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst", under which name they were also known.
1844 – 1846
First production Natuur en Pligt (Volmeranges) and De Dronkaard (Kotzebue) was held on 5 June 1844 in the Roeland Street Theatre. Unlike the English companies at the time the Dutch allowed actresses in their company. The company received good reviews throughout 1844/5.
Other pieces in this period included Roland de Monglave, of De Zegepraal der Onschuld and Het Misverstand, of Elk is een Dief in zyne Nering (3 April 1846);
Finally on 2 November 1846 it was announced that the company would stage its last production, reason being insufficient support from the Dutch community. De Baron van Felsheim (Bernos) and Uilenspiegel (Kotzebue) was its last performance.
1848-1855
According to F.C.L. Bosman (1928) they re-emerged in 1848/9, under the leadership of J.C. Combrink. Now included actresses. In June 1855 it closed down for ten years, because no suitable vanue was available. According to Ludwig Binge (1969) the final presentation of this phase was on 28 June 1855.
1865-1910
In August 1865 it was once more resuscitated by Combrink, and it entered a very busy and influential period, performing at a variety of venues in Cape Town, Paarl, Stellenbosch, even Robben Island. Its final production was a rather dated performance of Het Geheim by A de Bruine on 4 June 1910 at the Good Hope Theatre. They often performed for charity and offered benefits for captains and officers of visiting ships.
Sources
Bosman, 1928;
Fletcher, 1994;
Binge, 1969;
Du Toit, 1988 [TH, JH]
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