The Lyceum

The Lyceum, Port Elizabeth, was a wood and iron store converted into a theatre in Port Elizabeth by the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society. Opened on 10 September 1853 with She Stoops to Conquer and Did You Ever Send Your Wife to Camberwell? It was sold in 1858.

Jill Fletcher (citing J. Redgrave, 1947) has the name of the venue as The Lyceum. F.C.L. Bosman (1928. p.509) however quotes from an article in the Cape Monitor of 24 September, 1856, which refers to the theatre as the "Lycean Theatre".

Not to be confused with the famous Lyceum Theatre in London, which had quite an influence in South Africa in the 19th century through visiting performers attached to that venue.

See also the Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society.

Sources

Jill Fletcher, 1994: pp. 79, 85.

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928: p.509

J.J. Redgrave. 1947. Port Elizabeth in Bygone Days. Wynberg: Rustica Press.

For more information

See also: Port Elizabeth Dramatic Society

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