South African State Theatre
{{Short description|Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox venue
| logo_image = South African State Theatre logo.svg
| image = South African State Theatre12.jpg
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-id = Q7603565
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| former names = Pretoria State Theatre (1981-1999)
| address = 320 Pretorius Street
| city = Pretoria
| country = South Africa
| coordinates = {{Coords|25.74676|S|28.19494|E}}
| opened = {{Start date and age|1981}}
| website = {{URL|https://statetheatre.co.za/}}
}}
The State Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa is the largest theatre complex in Africa.{{cite web | url=http://www.statetheatre.co.za/information/Access%20to%20Information%20ENGLISH%202.doc | work=The SA State Theatre: Guide to accessing our information | title=Profile }} It was known until 1999 as the Pretoria State Theatre.
History
The theatre was built on the old Market Square in Pretoria for use by PACT (Performing Arts Council of Transvaal). It opened in 1981 with performances such as N. P. van Wyk Louw's Germanicus, Jochem van Bruggen's Ampie, and Arthur Miller's After the Fall.{{cite web |title=The Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre, Film, Media and Performance |url=http://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/State_Theatre |accessdate=2 March 2013}} The first words on the new stage were spoken by veteran actor Siegfried Mynhardt.
In 1999, the National Arts Council of South Africa made a five-year agreement with Spoornet to name the theatre the Spoornet State Theater, through which it not only supported the theatre financially but also promoted the arts and key performers while exposing passengers to their work.{{cite news |title=Spoornet en Staatsteater werk saam |url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1999/05/24/18/5.html |accessdate=2 March 2013 |work=Beeld |date=May 24, 1999}}
In 2000, the province of Gauteng decided to close the State Theatre over financial mismanagement.{{cite news |title=Sportborge kan gerus die kunste meer ondersteun |url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2000/07/05/10/4.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422183855/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2000/07/05/10/4.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2013 |accessdate=2 March 2013 |work=Beeld |date=July 5, 2000}} It reopened on April 4, 2001.{{cite news |title='Nuwe' teater |url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2001/04/06/14/6.html |accessdate=2 March 2013 |date=April 6, 2001}}
Building
Seating 2,700, the complex covers 72,143 m². At first, there were four theatres: the Opera, Drama, Arena, and Studio venues. There were also several other rooms such as the Transvalia room, restaurant, cafeteria, where shows were occasionally presented. Today, there are six theatres, with the Momentum and Rendezvous adding to the total.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.statetheatre.co.za/}}
{{Coord|-25.7467|28.1946|display=title}}
{{Pretoria}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Pretoria
Category:Culture of the City of Tshwane
Category:Theatres in South Africa
Category:Tourist attractions in Pretoria