Difference between revisions of "New English Theatrical Company"

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It was a company of English amateurs active in Cape Town 1848-9.  (Also referred to as [[Parker's Company]] in some sources, e.g. [[Jill Fletcher]]) [[Groom]] named the company the [[New English Theatrical Company]]. They performed ''[[Luke the Labourer]]'' in the [[Drury Lane Theatre]] in January 1849 under the management of [[W.F.H. Parker]]. The critique by [[Sam Sly]] was very harsh and the company ceased to exist after this dreadful performance. 
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It was a company of English amateurs active in Cape Town 1848-9 and possibly till 1851.  [[Groom]] named the company the [[New English Theatrical Company]], while other writers, e.g. [[Jill Fletcher]], refers to it as [[Parker's Company]].  
  
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In 1847 they leased the newly renovated [[Drury Lane Theatre]]  for one season of light dramas and operas.  In 1850 they performed at the [[Victoria Theatre]] ([[Hope Street Theatre]]) and the year after they were back at [[Drury Lane Theatre]], after which they seemed to disappear from the scene.
  
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The quality of their work seems to have been a little suspect however. In January 1849 the company's production of  Buckstone's ''[[Luke the Labourer]]'' received harsh critique from [[Sam Sly]], suggesting that they displayed  which caused the company to close down temporarily.
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== The Company members ==
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Founded and managed by [[W.F.H. Parker]], who was once more in Cape Town with his "Theatre of Mechanics" ([[Automata]]), but appears to also have moved into more formal theatre. A [[H. Hughes]] was stage manager, and the company seemed to be a mix of professional and local amateur players, drawn from the (temporarily defunct) [[Garrison Players]] and other local groups.   
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== Performaces ==
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The company played on and off in Cape Town from then till 1851, playing in the [[Drury Lane Theatre]]  and the [[Hope Street Theatre]].  They performed ''inter alia'' ''[[Luke the Labourer]]'' (Buckstone), ''[[Victorine]]'' (Buckstone) , ''[[The King's Command]]'' (Thompson)  and ''[[Damp Beds]]'' (Parry).
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(TH)
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
  
[[Jill Fletcher]], 1994(TH)
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[[Jill Fletcher]], 1994
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Revision as of 08:38, 30 October 2013

It was a company of English amateurs active in Cape Town 1848-9 and possibly till 1851. Groom named the company the New English Theatrical Company, while other writers, e.g. Jill Fletcher, refers to it as Parker's Company.

In 1847 they leased the newly renovated Drury Lane Theatre for one season of light dramas and operas. In 1850 they performed at the Victoria Theatre (Hope Street Theatre) and the year after they were back at Drury Lane Theatre, after which they seemed to disappear from the scene.

The quality of their work seems to have been a little suspect however. In January 1849 the company's production of Buckstone's Luke the Labourer received harsh critique from Sam Sly, suggesting that they displayed which caused the company to close down temporarily.


The Company members

Founded and managed by W.F.H. Parker, who was once more in Cape Town with his "Theatre of Mechanics" (Automata), but appears to also have moved into more formal theatre. A H. Hughes was stage manager, and the company seemed to be a mix of professional and local amateur players, drawn from the (temporarily defunct) Garrison Players and other local groups.


Performaces

The company played on and off in Cape Town from then till 1851, playing in the Drury Lane Theatre and the Hope Street Theatre. They performed inter alia Luke the Labourer (Buckstone), Victorine (Buckstone) , The King's Command (Thompson) and Damp Beds (Parry).


(TH)

Sources

Jill Fletcher, 1994



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