Theatre in Paarl
Contents
Some provisional notes
The Paarl Union Debating Society
The Paarl Union Debating Society performed a variety of plays from 1882 onwards.
At the beginning of the twentieth century the "blaasorkes" (brass band) was very popular.
Paarl Music and Drama Association
In 1913 the Paarl Music Association was founded and in 1940 it joined with the Choir Association to form the Paarl Music and Drama Association. They initially apparently performed in the Town Hall, but this was found to be unsuitable, and not really equipped for doing plays. So eventually this aspect of the PMDA association disappeared.
The Paarl Theatre Club
The Paarl Theatre Club was officially founded in 1951 under the management of Mr De Wet Laubscher (Oom Laubie), Their main goal was to perform and promote acting and plays in Paarl.
Initially they struggled to find a sufficiently well-appointed space to use for theatre, but in 1954 they managed to procure a barn in Pastorielaan, belonging to Mr Podlashuk, to use as their home theatre. They called it the Skuurteater (Afrikaans for "Barn Theatre") - a space they used till 1961.
Numerous plays were performed there in the period, and among the many people involved with the club were Miriam Bloom and Joey de Koker.
Due to a number of circumstances in 1961 the club lost use of the “Skuurteatre” and as result of this and withdrawal of influential people, interest dwindled and the club was dissolved. All equipment was now owned by three appointed trustees. During 1969 a new group started the club again. This was Pearl Retief and Brian Higgo-Holm, under management of Owen Maunder. They functioned out of the National Hall in Fabriek Street. In 1971 the Old Mill Theatre is made to use. Between then and now the theatre was closed and reopened again. Although the theatre cannot boast state of the art equipment, it has a warm atmosphere where friends gather to enjoy local talent. You can also have dinner here. Many artists also visit this theatre. This theatre is a jewel to Paarl, and one that will not easily be forgotten or let go to waste.
