He has been on the Arts Theatre board since 1971, but diehard theatre actor and director George Mountjoy has no qualms about the charming little theatre being sold because it is to live on in another location.
“It was a big decision to take, but I am looking forward to the new era and a new theatre,” said Mountjoy, 78, who lives in Fairlands, but still directs plays at the Patterson Street, Arcadia theatre.
The Arts Theatre, which was once an ordinary house, became a theatre in the mid-1960s after the Music and Variety Club and the East London Technical College Drama Club amalgamated.
Now the charming little theatre, which has entertained generations of theatre-goers with its dinner-theatre format, is up for sale for R2.5-million.
Board member and accomplished singer and actress Kerry Hiles said the theatre was not attracting audiences due to “the perception that it is not in a great area” and the idea was to either modify an existing building into a modern, multi-functional theatre or build one from scratch.
“We are looking at the eastern side of town like Beacon Bay or Gonubie because the Guild Theatre, Legends and the Alexander Playhouse are on the other side.”
Hiles said the new Arts Theatre would provide performance facilities for schools that don’t have them and would could double up as a space for gymnastics or dance rehearsals.
“We will be sorry to lose the charm of the Arts Theatre and we don’t want to lose its intimacy in the new theatre.”
Mountjoy recalled that in 1969 the theatre was nothing more than a house, with two wardrobe rooms, a small kitchen and a wide open space where walls had been knocked down.
“It was the Arts Theatre Club in those days and people paid membership fees. There was a platform for the stage, but we got 100 people in there around tables.
“When Patrick Mynhardt came to perform there he would call it ‘my little kakhuis’. We used to rehearse all the pantomimes there and then perform them at the Guild,” he said.
“There have been ups and downs, like when the basement wardrobe was flooded and the costumes ruined and the time we had so little funds that I paid the water and lights bill myself, but the Arts Theatre has always kept me going,” said the retired West Bank Primary teacher.
“I am very excited to see all the new talent in this city and to see in a new era of the Arts Theatre.
“I will continue to serve on the board until I am not here anymore.” —
barbarah@dispatch.co.zas
Show to go on for Arts Theatre in a new venue
“It was a big decision to take, but I am looking forward to the new era and a new theatre,” said Mountjoy, 78, who lives in Fairlands, but still directs plays at the Patterson Street, Arcadia theatre.
The Arts Theatre, which was once an ordinary house, became a theatre in the mid-1960s after the Music and Variety Club and the East London Technical College Drama Club amalgamated.
Now the charming little theatre, which has entertained generations of theatre-goers with its dinner-theatre format, is up for sale for R2.5-million.
Board member and accomplished singer and actress Kerry Hiles said the theatre was not attracting audiences due to “the perception that it is not in a great area” and the idea was to either modify an existing building into a modern, multi-functional theatre or build one from scratch.
“We are looking at the eastern side of town like Beacon Bay or Gonubie because the Guild Theatre, Legends and the Alexander Playhouse are on the other side.”
Hiles said the new Arts Theatre would provide performance facilities for schools that don’t have them and would could double up as a space for gymnastics or dance rehearsals.
“We will be sorry to lose the charm of the Arts Theatre and we don’t want to lose its intimacy in the new theatre.”
Mountjoy recalled that in 1969 the theatre was nothing more than a house, with two wardrobe rooms, a small kitchen and a wide open space where walls had been knocked down.
“It was the Arts Theatre Club in those days and people paid membership fees. There was a platform for the stage, but we got 100 people in there around tables.
“When Patrick Mynhardt came to perform there he would call it ‘my little kakhuis’. We used to rehearse all the pantomimes there and then perform them at the Guild,” he said.
“There have been ups and downs, like when the basement wardrobe was flooded and the costumes ruined and the time we had so little funds that I paid the water and lights bill myself, but the Arts Theatre has always kept me going,” said the retired West Bank Primary teacher.
“I am very excited to see all the new talent in this city and to see in a new era of the Arts Theatre.
“I will continue to serve on the board until I am not here anymore.” —
barbarah@dispatch.co.zas
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