Theatres in Historic Bridgetown
By, Zakiya Doyle, History Teacher, The St. Michael School, Barbados and PhD Candidate, Cultural Studies
If we cast our minds back to the
days before TV and technology ruled our lives and provided entertainment, we
would see theatre spaces in Bridgetown as important aspect of the city’s
cultural life. Like many cultural and recreational pursuits in Bridgetown,
theatres also reflected the social segregation of Bridgetown society, so there
were many more theatre spaces in Bridgetown to accommodate disparate social
classes. Operating since at least the early 18th century, theatres
were located throughout the city. Eighteenth-century theatres were not
purpose-built, but were located in buildings that served other purposes.
Visiting professional and local amateur dramatic companies performed in the
spaces. And in the 18th and early 19th centuries,
Bridgetown was an important stop on the Atlantic circuit with production tours
starting here and ending in New York.
Performances of imported plays and musical productions
predominated in the 18th century, but by the 18th century
there were some modest productions by local playwrights.
THEATRE ROYAL
Located
at the corner of James and Coleridge Street was the Theatre Royal which operated
between the years of January 1st 1812 - 1844. However,
within the article, “The Tonic Effect of Acting: Frank A. Collymore and
Barbadian Theatre” Marcia Burrowes relays that this theatre “hosted performances
during the period 1808-1819”[1]. Closer examination of Burrow’s thesis
unearthed the fact that there was a theatre which opened in 1808 and was later
called the Temple Theatre (in the
year 1809). This theatre had had a successful
season within the year 1810, and because of this success the “managers decided
to raise money to build what they called a neat and commodious theatre in
Bridgetown”.[2] As such, the decision was
made to build a new theatre, which would later be called the Theatre Royal. There was a ceremony which took place
to mark the laying of the first stone of the new theatre and this fact can be
substantiated with an advertisement made within The Barbados Mercury, on
Saturday June 2nd 1810.
This advertisement informed the public that “the committee have fixed on
Monday next the 4th June, between the hours of Twelve and One
o’Clock to lay the Foundation of the Stone thereof and will be glad of their
presence on the occasion”.[3]
In
the year 1812, on January 1st to be precise, the Theatre Royal was
opened to the public and “of course there were no more productions at the
Temple Theatre”.[4] The inaugural productions included the
“celebrated comedies of the West Indian and the Spoiled Child”.[5] In addition, on this night there
was an “introductory address” given by a Mr. Dykes, written by Thomas Marshall
Esq. of the theatre. Admission
into the theatre was set at two dollars for Boxes and one dollar each for the
Pit, and Gallery. Performances
continued at this theatre until there was a decline during the year 1819, “and the
building began to fall into a state of neglect”.[6] The building was put up for sale
two years later in 1823. A notice within the Barbados Mercury
illuminated this fact since it was stated that “At a General Meeting of the
Proprietors of the above Theatre, on 23rd instant, it was Resolved
that the same should be immediately sold for the benefit of all concerned. Notice is hereby given that it will be
put all together with the Scenery, Machinery and sold to the highest bidder on
the premises Wednesday the 21st of March at twelve o’clock”.[7] However, an advertisement on
March 20th 1821 notified the public that the sale of the Theatre
Royal was postponed “for a short time of which due notice will be given”.[8] Hereafter, Alleyne informs us
that, “The building was however seldom used afterwards and its proprietors
transferred all theatrical activity to the Freemason’s Hall. The hurricane of August 1831 finally
destroyed the Theatre Royal and in March 1833 its ruins were sold off.”[9] Nevertheless, Alleyne continues to
suggest that, “By the date of the latter a new theatre of the same name had been under construction on a piece
of ground near St. Mary’s Church called Temple Yard and this opened in 1833”.[10]
Sporadic
performances continued at this theatre until the year 1844 when the theatre was
sold. The Theatre Royal was advertised for sale in the local newspaper The
Barbadian on 4th September 1844. The advertisement
stated that, “Messrs, Abrams, Clairmonte and Co. have received directions to dispose by private
contract the Theatre Royal a large
and spacious wooden building, strongly erected with a superfluity of beams,
rafters, sleepers, supporters and columns
and when it is taken into full consideration the quality of the
materials indispensible in fitting up a Theatre, and altogether the immense
mass of wood that composes the building, it may be said what a profitable
advantage it must be turned to; they are confident should the purchase be
inclined to hastily reimburse himself and pull it down and sell it piecemeal
and he will be sure of a handsome remuneration in a very short time”.[11]
Thus, the Theatre Royal seems to
have shifted from the corner of James Street and Coleridge Street, to Temple
Yard which would also serve to explain why it was “opened” albeit not
continuously to the year 1844.
ALBERT HALL
Albert Hall was opened on 16th
January 1874 and was located on the corner of James Street. This theatre was owned by Henry Trotman. The inaugural production is
notable since it consisted of a performance from the Harrison’s Dramatic
Company, which comprised of the boys who attended the school. An anonymous writer, commenting
on the upcoming performance applauded the efforts of these boys and encouraged
the public to attend this performance.
Giving his/her name as only B. this individual commented that, “I would
advise all those who have never availed themselves of the treat offered to
them, by the boys of Harrison’s to do so on the 16 inst. They express their hope that the
Barbadian public would support their youthful desire to please”.[12] A thorough examination of the papers was carried out to see
how this production had done, but no further information was uncovered.
Nevertheless, there were also other notable productions, as for instance in
the year 1881, “a travelling group of professionals called the E.A.M. McDowell
Vaudeville Company appeared” at this theatre but after this season ended the
theatre was considered “too small and its acoustics poor and shortly after
agitation arose in the Press for a better theatre” in 1882.[13]
However, despite these problems
there were productions still being hosted at the Albert Hall but ten years
after, in1892, the theatre closed its doors – it was sold during this year to
the Barbados Telephone Company.
After the
theatre was sold there were public calls for a new theatre in Bridgetown. There
was an article which appeared within the Barbados Herald which sheds
light on this claim. The article
was entitled “A Theatre for Bridgetown” and spoke of a meeting which was held
to discuss the “erection of a new Theatre or Public Hall in this city”.[14] The article suggests that “a
large number of people attended the meeting and it appears everyone agreed that
there was a need for a theatre in Barbados.[15] However, it appears as though “this
scheme came to nought” as nothing no new theatre was constructed at this time.[16]
WIHELMINA HALL
The Wilhelmina
Hall was located on High Street and was owned by a James H. Inniss. This theatre was named after his wife
and it was opened on August 4th 1894. A report within the Barbados Herald informs us about
the events of the opening night, “Mr. James H. Inniss’ new theatre was opened
last Saturday evening by Lady Hay, in presence of a large number of
spectators. His Excellency the
Governor made a few remarks on the advantages to be derived from the erection
of such a building and hoped the venture would prove a success. At the close of
the ceremony Mr Inniss presented Lady Hay a photograph of the Hall in
commemoration of the event. The
name given to the building was “Wilhelmina Hall.”[17]
The first
performance at this theatre, which was in aid of the Wanders Pavilion Fund,
took place at a later date, Friday the 10th August with the
performance of “The Jacobite” and the farce “An Ugly Customer”. The initial productions were previously
slated to be held on the 8th August, however, the change was “due to
the fact that the Hall would not have been quite ready on the 8th,
the date first fixed for the first performance”.[18] Another interesting fact about performances
at this theatre is that “in addition to stage productions Wilhelmina Hall also
early introduced motion pictures. The first show of this kind was given in
November 1905 by a certain Monsieur H. Kaurt, but it appears that motion
picture entertainment did not finally begin as a regular feature until September
1908” . [19]
The Wilhelmina Hall operated for a total
of nineteen years, until the name of the theatre was changed from the
Wilhelmina Hall to the London Electric Theatre and later to the more commonly
known Olympic Theatre.[20]
LYCEUM AMATUER THEATRE
The
Lyceum Theatre was located in Reed Street. However, the initial opening of this theatre is hard to
decipher but the earliest report of any activity concerning this theatre was within
the year 1828. Within the newspaper The Barbadian
4th March 1828, an advertisement announced that,
By Permission
under the protection of His Honour the President and the Patronage of the
Public. The Amateurs of the above
theatre (Lyceum) instituted for the benefit of the poor purpose performing on
Monday March 17th 1828 the grand Tragedy of The Apostle with entire
new Scenery, Dresses and Decorations with the farce of Fortune’s Frolic[21]
Tickets for this event could have
been obtained from Mr. Samuel Jackson Prescod , who was one of the main “stewards” or organisers of the said theatre.
Conversely, two
years later another advertisement ran within The Barbadian informed the
public that, “The Amateurs of the Lyceum Theatre, beg leave to inform their
friends and public generally, that they intend to erect a temporary theatre
on the Ground, in which they will exhibit their dramatic skill in the
performance of the following celebrated pieces – namely on the first night the
Bellamira and on the second Speed of the Plough”.[22] There was another production put on by
the theatre on 27th of May 1830 which was “Dr. Young’s much admired tragedy of
The Revenge with the entertaining farce of The Apprentice”.[23]
The Lyceum Amateur
Theatre seems to have been a temporary theatre as it was closed in 1830. Warren
Alleyne tells us that the Lyceum Theatre “appears to have been active only from
February until June that one year (1830)”.[24] A quotation taken from Burrows’
article, “The Tonic Effect of Acting” also supports this view as it is
suggested that, “Occasionally, local theatre groups would be formed but would
be fated to have a short life. Such was the case of the Lyceum Amateur Theatre
which was eventually managed by the free coloured advocate Samuel Jackman Prescod.”[25] However, within the notes (after the
article) Burrows makes note of the discrepancies surrounding the actual
opening date of this theatre, when she states that, “Note the discrepancy
in data provided regarding when this theatre was established. Fraser et al (A-Z of Barbadian Heritage) states that
Prescod managed it in 1828 “if not earlier” while Alleyne states that it was
not established until 1830”.[26]
Certainly, any activity at this
theatre for the remainder of 1830 was not unearthed throughout my
research.
THE GARRISON AMATEUR THEATRE
This
theatre was located at St. Ann’s Garrison. Theatrical productions at St Ann’s Garrison are said to have
begun with the advice of Viscount Combermere who “as a measure designed to
improve the welfare of the troops encouraged amateur theatricals”.[27] As such, the first theatre “was a
large wooden hut, previously used as barracks on the east side of St. Ann’s
Fort, and the first programme, consisting of two plays, was staged there on the
evening of July 29, 1818”.[28] These plays were the productions of “Colman’s
play of John Bull or the Englishman’s Fireside. After which the Farce of the Raising the Wind” was performed.[29] By the year 1823, “a theatre was specially built and this
opened on the evening of Thursday 18th December with The Conquest of
Taranto and a farce entitled The Review or The Wags of Windsor”.[30]
Theatrical
activity continued at the Garrison Theatres for a long time, and during its
life span the theatre was housed at different buildings. For instance, the theatre which was
built in 1823 “which was demolished by the 1831 hurricane” after which another
theatre was built some time after.[31]
This did not signify the end of
the changing “home” of the garrison theatricals, as the location was yet again
changed. Nevertheless, the theatrical
activity came to an end in 1905 when the Garrison Troops were withdrawn from
Barbados.
DAPHNE JOSEPH HACKETT THEATRE
This theatre is located within Queens Park, more accurately within
Queens Park House. During
the 1970’s the government of Barbados enlisted the services of the architect
Oliver Messel to restore the Queens Park House, which had fallen into
disrepair. After the renovations,
the theatre was officially opened on 3rd December 1973. The President of the Barbados Arts
Council Mr. John Wickham reopened the theatre at the Queens Park House and
remarked that, “the non development of drama in Island was due to a lack of facilities”
as such the reopening of this theatre could be viewed as a step made by the
Barbadian government to boost dramatic performances and activity within the island.[32]
Throughout the years this building housed a number of notable
productions and events. For
instance, this building hosted the Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts
(CARIFESTA) in the year 1981. In
addition, this theatre also staged the local delight, “Laugh it Off” a
production which began in the year 1985. Laugh it off proved to be very popular and was said to
have “had the large audience rolling in their seats”.[33]
In the year 1990 this
theatre was named after Daphne Joseph-Hackett, “a teacher who was instrumental
in promoting theatre arts in Barbados"[34]
and productions at this theatre continued through the 1990s until the theatre
eventually fell into disrepair.
Finding the exact date this theatre was closed proved to be difficult,
however, unofficial reports claim that performances finished here in the
year 2003.
THE EMPIRE THEATRE
This
theatre was opened on October 18th 1922. On the opening night, the programme included “some screen
snap shots and two vaudeville items prepared and presented by Mr. J. H. Wilkinson”.[35] However, the inaugural
production at this theatre fell short for some, a fact which was highlighted with comments made by a writer to
the Herald Newspaper, under the pseudonym the Entertainer, who states to the
Editor that,
In making its
debut to the Barbados public on Wednesday night 18th instant the
Empire authorities seemed to think it worth while to dispense with any grand
opening and entertaining such as obtained on the occasion of the opening of the “Wilhelmina Hall” 28 years
ago. One would have expected that
with a real perfect Theatre un fait accompli for “Little England” something of
grandeur, at any rate worthy would have accompanied its debut. But it appears that the only mark of
distinction which commended itself was to obtain a few remarks from the
governor to usher in the advent of the Empire. Those present who remembered when the Wilhelmina Hall made
its bow must have been struck by the contrast and could only remark “What a
falling off was there” when they considered the great name Empire. The Empire authorities fell short of
the glory and only made a dry bow[36]
Nevertheless, the Empire Theatre
flourished during its early years of operation and the theatre played a
dual role of
hosting both the moving pictures and dramatic performances. New cultural
practices evolved from this one. For example, there was the pre-show
entertainment in which local performing artists did song and dance routines to
entertain the audience before the showing of moving pictures (film). Frank Collymore, as part of the Kelly
and Colly Duo performed these pre-show routines in the Empire Theatre[37]
This
was where “In later years Frank Collymore was to distinguish himself upon the
stage as a dramatic actor in a variety of roles”[38]
and as such, throughout its lifespan there were a number of notable productions
which occurred within this theatre, but to coin the old adage “all good things
come to an end” and so it did when the Empire closed its doors around the year
1983.
[1] Marcia Burrows, “The Tonic Effect of
Acting: Frank A. Collymore”. Ed
Philip Nanton, Remembering the Sea: An Introduction to Frank A
Collymore (Bridgetown: Central
Bank of Barbados, 2004), 35.
[2] Warren Alleyne”A tradition of Theatre”. Ed. Trevor
Gale The Bajan and South Caribbean (Bridgetown: Carib Publicity Co. Ltd,
August 1981), 17.
[13] Warren Alleyne, “From the Lyric Temple to the
Olympic Theatre”. Ed. Trevor
Gale The Bajan and South Caribbean(Bridgetown: Carib Publicity Co. Ltd,
September 1981), 27.
[35] Warren Alleyne “The Empire Theatre Rises”, The
Bajan and South Caribbean,(Bridgetown: Carib Publicity, October 1981), 50.
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