Church and Theatre in South Africa

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= the Anti-theatrical Movement: 1824-

Methodism, Puritanism and the closing of theatres

During the 1820s there were already protests in the press against theatre, but from 1832 these were fanned by the Methodist Church in England, prompting Charles Etienne Boniface to write his hilarious satire "De Niewe Ridderorde, of De Temperantisten" (The new Knighthood of Temperance). By 1836 the religious attacks had developed into a wave of puritanism which closed The African Theatrein 1838 and its sale to the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in 1839.

The Garrison Theatre probably remained open, and two years later was advertising productions again.

[JF/TH]

Sources

Bosman, F.C.L. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika.

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