Bertie Stern left the theatre building to the four societies listed below, and any future Amateur Dramatic society who took on the responsibility.
Each society puts annually forward a Trustee for the Stern Masque Trust. The Trustees ultimately ensure that the terms of Bertie's will, gifting the Masque Theatre, are honoured.
The Four Amateur Societies below have had a long and rich history "on the boards". While times have changed, and two of the original societies have closed their doors - decades of creativity and service are honoured below! We asked each of the original societies to write a little about their society.
The Societies
THE CONSTANTIA THEATRE PLAYERS
Constantiaberg Theatre Players has existed since established as Bergvliet Dramatic Society by Jack Friedman in 1953. The society is approaching its 70th year and we hope in some small way to leave our mark on the forthcoming years of CTP’s growth. CTP's recent adventure was the sold out Cinderella at the Masque in December 2021
We should pay special tribute to the following for their contributions to the society over the years:
Jack & Freda Freidman; Dot Sawdon; Pam Ross; Walter Hodges; Dennis Bennyworth; Jane Cohen; Lieske & Isak Bester; Scott Gill; Barrie Howard; Di Thom and Daniel Enticott.
Their selfless commitment over the many years spanning from our origins, performing to full houses in 1955 with the one act plays; “Sanctuary” and “Monkey’s Paw” and then the Bergvliet Dramatic Society’s “overseas” performance on Robben Island of “Love’s a Luxury” in 1958. It must be said that CTP has historically had a very committed backbone. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you all for being an integral part in the creation of the society which we now represent.
The earliest reference to a production is in 1954 for “Little Glass Houses” and if Pam Ross’s account is anything to go by we should definitely count ourselves lucky that we get two weeks in the theatre before opening night, apparently they only had a weekend!
Recently, the Society have performed “Cyprienne”, “Handful of Friends”, “Habeas Corpus”, “Design for Living” and then “The Birdcage” to packed houses at the Masque, Milnerton Playhouse and The Playhouse, Somerset West, before our last rip-roaring Musical “The Producers”, “A Tribute to Absolutely Fabulous”, the UK Sitcom TV series adapted and directed by Faeron Wheeler. and "Cinderella" in December 2021
We are a society that loves theatre!
Visit our Facebook Page.
THE CLAREMONT DRAMATIC SOCIETY
The Sons of England Dramatic Society was established in 1952 and changed its name to Claremont Dramatic Society in March 1994. The Society’s clubhouse – also rehearsal space and wardrobe and props storage – is The Hok in Thicket avenue, Newlands.
View the CDS show archives here. New members are welcome! And look out for audition notices for the upcoming year...
MUIZENBERG AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Muizenberg Amateur Dramatic Society was born in November 1978 and was the brain wave of Celia Musikanth and eleven members of the Parent Teacher Association of Muizenberg Junior School.
Like most wonderful establishments, MADS’ started out as nothing more than an idea and a dream, one that quickly came into fruition when 12 budding thespians set a plan into motion to start an Am dram Society, choose a play and then get it onto a stage and in front of an audience.
With no money, funding or even experience, they soon got the ball rolling with the design and development of MADS’ first logo, which was then printed onto T-shirt and jerseys and purchased by willing supporters. With sheer determination, hard work and a lot of luck, rehearsals were underway by early 1979 and MADS’ first play, “The Happiest Days of your Life” went into production to a full house at the Muizenberg Junior School.
The play was an instant hit and soon, MADS’ was putting on productions outside Muizenberg, even travelling as far as Bellville.
As the early years progressed, MADS’ entered many festivals, went on whirlwind tours and won numerous awards. A third place win in the Fishoek “One Act” festival earned them an invitation to appear at the Nico Malan theatre for three star studded nights. It was a dream come true and after just a few short years, MADS’ had made a name for themselves and their membership had grown from the original twelve to over a hundred.
In 1981 Celia approached her father figure, friend and Masque theatre owner “Bertie Stern” and asked for a slot on stage at his theatre, which he happily agreed to and with the grand opening of their play “Simon and Laura” MADS’ long time relationship with the Masque theatre had begun. Bertie went on to become the President of MADS’, a role that he retained until his death in 1993.
When the Masque Theatre burnt down in 1997, Celia Musikanth played a pivotal role in rallying the hundreds of Masque and Society Supporters together, in rebuilding the theatre that we know today.
THE FISH HOEK DRAMATIC SOCIETY
The Fish Hoek Dramatic Society produced her first production in the old town hall in 1953. This stemmed to producing 2 to 4 shows a year with fans coming from near and far to see their shows.
Shows were mostly sold at Fish Hoek Civic Centre which could seat 400 people and caused quite a stir with the fire marshals at the t Fish Hoek Dramatic Society was well known for their One Act Festival which ran for 37 years before the fire took the Masque Theatre in 1997. With such a great history we were happy to find a home at The Masque Theatre.
In 2019 The Fishhoek Dramatic Society closed it's doors, however it's key members can still be found clearing the basement on volunteer days, and cheering on actors as they hit the boards!
Visit their Facebook page.
