Cape curtains : a study of selected Cape Town theatres, 1843-1916

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study aims to reconstruct the history of the Capetonian theatrical venue of thesecond half of the 19th century. It explores the many different venues used for theatricalactivities. Venues discussed include amateur theatres such as the Hope Street Theatre,Roeland Street Theatre, Haupt's Theatre and the Drury Lane Theatre. Due to theextensive research already done on the African Theatre on Riebeeck Square and theGarrison Theatre they are only briefly mentioned as part of the background to the socialdynamics of Victorian Cape Town. Quite often venues such as banqueting halls,drawing-rooms and wine stores doubled as theatrical venues. Halls discussed includethe Oddfellows Hall, the Mutual Hall and the Drill Hall. Although the main objective ofthe study was the theatrical venue, it is impossible not to mention the different dramacompanies that occupied these venues. Therefore, the activities of the dramacompanies were also discussed to a certain extent, because of the stronginterrelationship between company and theatre house. These include, among others,the companies of Sefton Parry and Disney Roebuck.For the purpose of this study the theatrical venue has been defined as an indoors space,which is divided into two clearly demarcated areas, namely the stage and theauditorium. Because of this definition the early African theatrical activities are notincluded in this study and it deals rather with the Western theatre tradition, namely thatof the early Dutch and English artists. The study deals primarily with the dominantEnglish theatre post-1850 and the shift from amateur to professional theatricals.Professional theatres include the Theatre Royals of Harrington Street and Burg Street,the Exhibition Theatre and the Good Hope Theatre. At the end of the thesis parallelsare drawn between the 19th and 20th century theatre houses such as the Opera Houseand the Tivoli Theatre. Another issue addressed by the study is the quest for apermanent theatrical venue or building in the early Cape theatre tradition.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University