Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society
Contents
Author's Comment:
Theatre in Port Elizabeth is believed to have started with the production of Hamlet at Fort Frederick 1799. However, owing to the absence of a local newspaper prior to 1845, information regarding any earlier productions is very scarce and hard to find. After the Eastern Province Herald was founded, adverts and articles were published which give us a better idea of the pioneering years.
Unfortunately, there are a number of publications which do not have the correct facts either because the author did not have access to the newspapers or clippings or they relied on other unverified sources.
Whatever the reason, ESAT is attempting to correct these mistakes by inputting information from original sources such as newspapers, pamphlets and programmes.
Should you have any information which will add to our collective knowledge of early theatre, please contact us.
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 with improvements including a dress circle with velvet cushions.
The Society continued productions up to 1858 when the building was sold and the Society dissolved.
The Commercial Hall
After the construction of the Commercial Hall in 1843, the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society staged some performances there.
Charles Inman's theatre
On May 17, 1849, J Russell fitted out a building in Strand Street belonging to Charles Inman and used it as a theatre. Grace Huntley, a domestic melodrama, was the first production staged. In July 1849, Inman took over the management of the theatre.
Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatrical Society
September 22, 1847: The first performance by the Port Elizabeth Amateur Theatrical Society was given in the Commercial Hall. Contrary to some sources, we believe this was not simply a name change from Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society, but a new organisation. Their initial performance was the tragedy play Ion by Sergeant Talford was staged as well as a performance of The Queer Subject ("queer" as in "shady"). The Queer Subject was a one-act farce written by J S Coyne and was performed for the first time at the Royal Adelphi Theatre, London, in November 1835. Characters in the production included Dr Bingo, Charles, Bill Mattock, Ned Snatch, Sammy Spectre, Tom Darking, countrymen and Julia.
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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