Church and Theatre in South Africa

(EXPAND) Methodism, Puritanism and the closing of theatres. During the 1820s there were protests in the press against theatre, but from 1832 these were fanned by the Methodist Church in England, prompting Charles Boniface* to write his hilarious play "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 Theatre* in 1838. The Garrison Theatre probably remained open, and two years later was advertising productions again. (Bosman, F.C.L. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika.) (JF)

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