Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society
The Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society is the first documented amateur dramatic society in Port Elizabeth and was founded on April 10, 1840.
Their theatre, The Lyceum, was situated in an old warehouse in Staines Street. The building was fitted out with the rudiments of a theatre. The company later changed its name to the Amateur Company. Scenes from Shakespeare and popular classics, including a few locally written works were staged.
In May 1856, the building was re-opened after being refurbished. Improvements included a dress circle with velvet cushions.
The Society continued productions up to 1858 when the building was sold and the Society dissolved.
On May 17, 1849, J Russell fitted out a building in Strand Street belonging to Charles Inman. Grace Huntley, a domestic melodrama, was the first production staged. In July 1849, Inman took over the management of the theatre.
PAGE STILL UNDER REVISION:
In the 1860s a new company, called the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Club, became active in the town.
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.
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Sources
F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 421, 508
"Port Elizabeth Theatre", in the Cape Monitor, 10 September, 1853, 8 August, 1855 and 24 September 1856.
P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica
Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: pp79-80.
P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p.
J.J. Redgrave. 1947. Port Elizabeth in Bygone Days. Wynberg: Rustica Press.
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