Difference between revisions of "Good Hope Theatre"

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The [[Good Hope Theatre]] is a name used for theatrical venues in Cape Town in the late 18th and early 19th century.  
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The [[Good Hope Theatre]] is one of a number of names used for what may have been three related theatrical venues in the [[Good Hope Lodge Gardens]], Cape Town in the 19th and early 20th century. (Also referred to as the [[De Goede Hoop Gardens]]  or [[Good Hope Gardens]])
  
Various sources give confusing information in this regard, but broadly it appears that there were '''two''' venues by this name.
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The history and relationship is not always clear from the sources  
  
See also '''[[Exhibition Theatre]]'''
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=The [[Good Hope Masonic Lodge]] (1800-1875)=
  
==The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre or Good Hope Theatre 1875-1892==
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The [[Good Hope Masonic Lodge]] was a lodge in Cape Town in the 19th century. Also known as the '''[[Good Hope Lodge]]''', or in [[Dutch]] form as the '''[[Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge]]''' or the '''[[Goede Hoop Lodge]]'''.
  
As indicated, the [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall]] was at times used as a venue for opera and musical presentations and seems to have been referred to variously as the [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Theatre]], the [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]].
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== The original building ==
  
==The Good Hope Theatre late 1800s-1906==
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The Temple of the Lodge de Goede Hoop in Bouquet Street, Cape Town, was built in 1800 as a long and narrow building, ostensibly based on the exact dimensions of the inner sanctum of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, designed by Louis Thibault and built by Hermann Schutte, with original statues by Anton Anreith. The foundation stone was laid in February 1801 and the completed Temple was consecrated on Sunday 3 July 1803.
  
Though also referred to as The [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]],  it does not not appear to be the same building, but is possibly a new (or adapted?) structure custom built in the late 1800s and used to a great extent by the [[Wheeler Company]] where it experienced great successes with its musical comedies.  One of earliest performances was ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' (Thomas) by the [[Hawtrey Comedy Company]] under [[Wheeler Company]] management.  
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Today the courtyard is used as a parking area by Parliamentary staff during the day and by the Brethren in the evenings and over weekends.
  
It was also used by other companies such as [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  (1897) and a [[Gaiety Company]] in 1902 (with for instance ''[[The Geisha]]'' and ''[[Kitty Grey]]''). 
 
  
By 1906 the theatre had however lost its flair and by the end of that year it closed as a professional venue.
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== The theatrical venue ==
  
Thereafter it was only used by [[amateur]] ([[Dutch]]/[[Afrikaans]]) companies.
 
  
For example by [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  in 1910.
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The gardens were utilized as a popular venue for concerts. Musical concerts were held at the [[Good Hope Lodge Gardens]] (also referred to as [[De Goede Hoop Tuine]] in some sources),  on Friday evenings during the summer and later in the 19th century it played an important part in theatrical activities as well, when the Lodge acquired its own [[Exhibition Hall]] in 1875.
  
== Sources ==
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=The [[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]] (1875-1892)=
  
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.
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In 1875 the Good Hope Masonic Lodge acquired its own '''[[Exhibition Hall]]''', a huge barn-like structure made from wood and corrugated iron, constructed in 1875 in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens on the site of the '''[[Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge]]'''.
 +
 
 +
Officially it was named the '''[[Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre]]''', but it was referred to in theatrical circles and the public by many other names, including the '''[[Exhibition Hall]]''', the '''[[Exhibition Theatre]]''',  the [[Good Hope Theatre]], the '''[[Good Hope Hall]]''' or '''[[Goede Hoop Saal]]'''. The sources are unclear about the actual relationship between the "hall" and the "theatre" - whether there was an alternative, perhaps more intimate, theatrical space within the building, or whether the name simply reflected the range of uses for the hall. 
 +
 
 +
Besides its role as a popular venue for public exhibitions, public meetings and musical events of all kinds, the hall was at times used for the presentation of larger scale productions, such as opera and musical presentations. 
 +
 
 +
It is perhaps best remembered for  the Italian operas performed by [[Signor Carli’s Opera Company]], of which [[Carli]] was the impresario. 
 +
 
 +
The hall burnt down totally in 1892.
 +
 
 +
=The [[Good Hope Theatre]] (1897?-1910?)=
 +
 
 +
Though also referred to as The [[Good Hope Hall]] or [[Goede Hoop Saal]],  the [[Good Hope Theatre]] does not appear to be the same venue as the former building, but most probably a new and custom built structure,  erected some time in the late 1800s, probably after the destruction of the [[Exhibition Hall]] in 1892. 
 +
 
 +
Also referred to as the [[Good Hope Hall and Gardens]], it was situated in Bouquet Street, erected on the site of the old [[House of Assembly]]. The architect was George Ransome, A.R.r.B.A. The venue had a seating capacity about 1,200 with a good stage at the end of the Hall, 50 x 36 feet, with scenery. There were also six dressing rooms for artists and in rear of the building a banqueting hall.
 +
 
 +
The Gardens attached to the Hall was a popular resort for Promenade Concerts and the Hall and the grounds are the property of the Lodge de Goede Hoop, the Masonic Temple being in close proximity.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The venue was extensively used by the [[Wheeler Company]], which had great successes with its musical comedies there.  One of earliest performances was ''[[Charley’s Aunt]]'' (Thomas) by the [[Hawtrey Comedy Company]] under [[Wheeler Company]] management.
 +
 
 +
Other companies also used it from time to time, for example  [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  did a programme  consisting of ''[[Adelaide van Beyeren]]'' and ''[[Goede Morgen Mijnheer Visser]]'' there in 1897; a visiting [[Gaiety Company]] presented musical works such as ''[[The Geisha]]'' (1896) and ''[[Kitty Grey]]'' (1901) there in 1902. 
 +
 
 +
Though the theatre had lost its flair by 1906 and seems to have closed as a professional venue by the end of that year, it appears to have continued as an occasional amateur venue. For example by [[Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst]]  did a production of ''[[Het Geheim]]'' there in 1910.
 +
 
 +
= Sources =
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 +
 
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]], 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
D. Edwards. 1897. ''The Cape Town Guide''. Cape Town: Maskew Miller (Digitised 2011)[https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/18065/004_p031-040.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y]
  
 
[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p. 117  
 
[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p. 117  
  
 
[[P.W. Laidler]]. 1926. ''The Annals of the Cape Stage''. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p. 89
 
[[P.W. Laidler]]. 1926. ''The Annals of the Cape Stage''. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p. 89
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http://www.freemasonrysd.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=543%3Ade-goede-hoop-temple-an-introductory-tour&catid=46%3Aover-200-years-of-history&Itemid=66
  
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 +
== Return to ==
  
== Return to ==
+
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 +
 
 +
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
 +
 
 +
Return to [[Main Page]]
 +
 
 +
= Return to =
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]

Revision as of 09:07, 5 September 2018

The Good Hope Theatre is one of a number of names used for what may have been three related theatrical venues in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens, Cape Town in the 19th and early 20th century. (Also referred to as the De Goede Hoop Gardens or Good Hope Gardens)

The history and relationship is not always clear from the sources

The Good Hope Masonic Lodge (1800-1875)

The Good Hope Masonic Lodge was a lodge in Cape Town in the 19th century. Also known as the Good Hope Lodge, or in Dutch form as the Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge or the Goede Hoop Lodge.

The original building

The Temple of the Lodge de Goede Hoop in Bouquet Street, Cape Town, was built in 1800 as a long and narrow building, ostensibly based on the exact dimensions of the inner sanctum of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, designed by Louis Thibault and built by Hermann Schutte, with original statues by Anton Anreith. The foundation stone was laid in February 1801 and the completed Temple was consecrated on Sunday 3 July 1803.

Today the courtyard is used as a parking area by Parliamentary staff during the day and by the Brethren in the evenings and over weekends.


The theatrical venue

The gardens were utilized as a popular venue for concerts. Musical concerts were held at the Good Hope Lodge Gardens (also referred to as De Goede Hoop Tuine in some sources), on Friday evenings during the summer and later in the 19th century it played an important part in theatrical activities as well, when the Lodge acquired its own Exhibition Hall in 1875.

The Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre (1875-1892)

In 1875 the Good Hope Masonic Lodge acquired its own Exhibition Hall, a huge barn-like structure made from wood and corrugated iron, constructed in 1875 in the Good Hope Lodge Gardens on the site of the Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge.

Officially it was named the Good Hope Exhibition Hall and Theatre, but it was referred to in theatrical circles and the public by many other names, including the Exhibition Hall, the Exhibition Theatre, the Good Hope Theatre, the Good Hope Hall or Goede Hoop Saal. The sources are unclear about the actual relationship between the "hall" and the "theatre" - whether there was an alternative, perhaps more intimate, theatrical space within the building, or whether the name simply reflected the range of uses for the hall.

Besides its role as a popular venue for public exhibitions, public meetings and musical events of all kinds, the hall was at times used for the presentation of larger scale productions, such as opera and musical presentations.

It is perhaps best remembered for the Italian operas performed by Signor Carli’s Opera Company, of which Carli was the impresario.

The hall burnt down totally in 1892.

The Good Hope Theatre (1897?-1910?)

Though also referred to as The Good Hope Hall or Goede Hoop Saal, the Good Hope Theatre does not appear to be the same venue as the former building, but most probably a new and custom built structure, erected some time in the late 1800s, probably after the destruction of the Exhibition Hall in 1892.

Also referred to as the Good Hope Hall and Gardens, it was situated in Bouquet Street, erected on the site of the old House of Assembly. The architect was George Ransome, A.R.r.B.A. The venue had a seating capacity about 1,200 with a good stage at the end of the Hall, 50 x 36 feet, with scenery. There were also six dressing rooms for artists and in rear of the building a banqueting hall.

The Gardens attached to the Hall was a popular resort for Promenade Concerts and the Hall and the grounds are the property of the Lodge de Goede Hoop, the Masonic Temple being in close proximity.


The venue was extensively used by the Wheeler Company, which had great successes with its musical comedies there. One of earliest performances was Charley’s Aunt (Thomas) by the Hawtrey Comedy Company under Wheeler Company management.

Other companies also used it from time to time, for example Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst did a programme consisting of Adelaide van Beyeren and Goede Morgen Mijnheer Visser there in 1897; a visiting Gaiety Company presented musical works such as The Geisha (1896) and Kitty Grey (1901) there in 1902.

Though the theatre had lost its flair by 1906 and seems to have closed as a professional venue by the end of that year, it appears to have continued as an occasional amateur venue. For example by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst did a production of Het Geheim there in 1910.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.


D. Edwards. 1897. The Cape Town Guide. Cape Town: Maskew Miller (Digitised 2011)[1]

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p. 117

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p. 89

http://www.freemasonrysd.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=543%3Ade-goede-hoop-temple-an-introductory-tour&catid=46%3Aover-200-years-of-history&Itemid=66

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page