Difference between revisions of "Adam Leslie Theatre"
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| − | + | The [[Adam Leslie Theatre]] was a popular Johannesburg theatre between 1967 and 1975. | |
| + | =The venue= | ||
== Origins == | == Origins == | ||
| − | Established in End Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg in what was originally the ''' | + | Established in End Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg in what was originally built to house the '''College of Music''' founded by a Mr Tressi. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1905 and built in 1906. In 1913 Mr Tressi disappeared, and by 1918 the building was empty and neglected. It was subsequently used for the SOS Boot Company for five years, before being bought by the Sunshine Macaroni Factory and served them as till 1963, when they moved to larger and newer premises. |
| − | Acquired by [[Adam Leslie]] and [[Bill Hudson]] in 1966, who restored and converted it into a theatre (seating 230) with restaurant and bar, to recreate the music-hall ambience of London'' Players’ Theatre'' and the social life of Johannesburg in 1880s. (Also referred to as '''Adam | + | Acquired by [[Adam Leslie]] and [[Bill Hudson]] in 1966, who restored and converted it into a theatre (seating 230) with restaurant and bar, to recreate the music-hall ambience of London'' Players’ Theatre'' and the social life of Johannesburg in 1880s. (Also referred to as '''[[Adam Leslie's Theatre and Restaurant]]''' in the [[South African Casting Directory]]. ) |
| + | Construction of the theatre was overseen by [[Andre Hoffe]]. | ||
== Performances 1967-1975== | == Performances 1967-1975== | ||
| Line 16: | Line 18: | ||
| − | The theatre Opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with | + | The theatre Opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with Leslie's ''[[Music Hall Revue]]'', directed and designed by [[Anthony Farmer]] and running for six months. . followed by the revue ''[[Strike it Rich]]'' (1967), starring himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[George Korelin]] and [[Judy Layne]]. [[Marjorie Gordon]] replaced Joan during the run. Other [[Adam Leslie]] shows included ''[[Adam’s Laugh-In]]'' and ''[[Adam Scrapes the Barrel]]'' (1975), which proved to be the last show at the theatre, which closed 31 December, 1975. |
| + | === Other work === | ||
| + | |||
| + | Besides Leslie's own work the space was also utilized for many other productions and over the years had promoted the careers of many performers, including [[Joan Blake]], [[Heather Lloyd-Jones]], [[Diane Wilson]], [[Richard Loring]] and [[Shelagh Holliday]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | = Sources = | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Percival Tucker|Tucker, Percy]] 1997. ''Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business''. Johannesburg: [[Witwatersrand University Press]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Ian Gray]] 1973. There's a theatre on the way upstairs. In: ''[[Showbiz South Africa]]''. June, 1973: p.42. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | = Return to = | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Films]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | ||
| − | + | Return to [[PLAYS II: Foreign plays]] | |
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[PLAYS III: Collections]] | ||
| + | Return to [[PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances]] | ||
| − | + | Return to [[South_African_Festivals|South African Festivals and Competitions]] | |
| + | Return to [[South_African_Radio/Plays|South African Radio Plays and Serials]] | ||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Television/Plays|South African Television Plays and Series]] | ||
| − | + | Return to [[ESAT Venues A]] | |
| − | Return to [[ | + | Return to [[South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc| ESAT Venues]] |
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:27, 18 August 2023
The Adam Leslie Theatre was a popular Johannesburg theatre between 1967 and 1975.
Contents
The venue
Origins
Established in End Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg in what was originally built to house the College of Music founded by a Mr Tressi. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1905 and built in 1906. In 1913 Mr Tressi disappeared, and by 1918 the building was empty and neglected. It was subsequently used for the SOS Boot Company for five years, before being bought by the Sunshine Macaroni Factory and served them as till 1963, when they moved to larger and newer premises.
Acquired by Adam Leslie and Bill Hudson in 1966, who restored and converted it into a theatre (seating 230) with restaurant and bar, to recreate the music-hall ambience of London Players’ Theatre and the social life of Johannesburg in 1880s. (Also referred to as Adam Leslie's Theatre and Restaurant in the South African Casting Directory. )
Construction of the theatre was overseen by Andre Hoffe.
Performances 1967-1975
Adam Leslie's own work
The theatre Opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with Leslie's Music Hall Revue, directed and designed by Anthony Farmer and running for six months. . followed by the revue Strike it Rich (1967), starring himself, Joan Blake, George Korelin and Judy Layne. Marjorie Gordon replaced Joan during the run. Other Adam Leslie shows included Adam’s Laugh-In and Adam Scrapes the Barrel (1975), which proved to be the last show at the theatre, which closed 31 December, 1975.
Other work
Besides Leslie's own work the space was also utilized for many other productions and over the years had promoted the careers of many performers, including Joan Blake, Heather Lloyd-Jones, Diane Wilson, Richard Loring and Shelagh Holliday.
Sources
Tucker, Percy 1997. Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.
Ian Gray 1973. There's a theatre on the way upstairs. In: Showbiz South Africa. June, 1973: p.42.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to South_African_Films
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to South African Radio Plays and Serials
Return to South African Television Plays and Series
Return to ESAT Venues A
Return to ESAT Venues
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
