Alhambra Theatre (Cape Town)

Coordinates: 33°55′08″S 18°25′19″E / 33.919°S 18.422°E / -33.919; 18.422
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alhambra Bioscope, also known as the Alhambra Theatre, was a theatre that opened on Riebeek Street, Cape Town, South Africa in 1929.

History[edit]

The Alhambra was built in 1928 for Harry Stodel's African Consolidated Theatres. It was called South Africa's best "atmospheric theatre."[1][2] It had a Wurlitzer theatre organ that could produce many sound effects.[3] It opened in 1929.

Plays and musicals were also presented for four decades in the theatre. Among the entertainers to perform here were Marlene Dietrich,[4] Nellie du Toit,[5] Angelo Gobbato,[6] and Phyllis Spira.[7]

The only Afrikaans language theater company to perform here, according to André Huguenet, was his company with its production of Is Jy ’n Bokryer? in the 1940s.[2] It was also sometimes used by KRUIK (the Cape Performing Arts Council).

The building closed in January 1972 and was sold in 1974 and demolished the same year.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance". Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b "The Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance". 3 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Eertydse Alhambra teater se Wurlitzer-orrel aan Nico Malan Opera geskenk". Die Burger. December 2, 1995. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Nie Sophia nie". Beeld. October 8, 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Nellie du Toit gee klas by Truk". Beeld. January 20, 1995. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Cape Town Opera". 3 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Main choreographies by Marina Keet". Grut Books. Retrieved 3 March 2013.

33°55′08″S 18°25′19″E / 33.919°S 18.422°E / -33.919; 18.422