Winston Churchill Theatre
The Winston Churchill Theatre is a performance venue in Pietermaritzburg, Natal.
Not to be confused with other venues named after the war-time prime minister, such as the Winston Churchill Theatre and Hall in London, England.[1]
The venue
Situated at 2 Leinster Rd, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, the first approved plan for buildings on the property (dated 17 June 1953) was for a club-house for The Pietermaritzburg District United War Memorial Association.
In 1967 plans were submitted for a theatre building, plus a cottage, a garden of remembrance and a playground on the Northern end of the property. On 6 December 1969 the foundation stone of the theatre was laid by “Old Bill” E. Milford in memory of fallen comrades. According to the stone, the architect was W.L. Chiazzari, the quantity surveyors C.R. Cornell and Ptnrs, the contractors R. Barras Construction (Pty) Ltd., the engineer M.A.A. Dyer.
1982-1988 Rodney Frankland was the theatre manager at the Winston Churchill Theatre.
In November 2021 new proposals were submitted for a full upgrade of the complex, including refurbishing the internal and external structure of the building, with alterations of and additions to electrical, mechanical, plumbing and drainage systems. The building operations commenced in 2022. The project was funded by the Department of Arts and Culture and the cost in the region of 37 million rand.
Some productions done there
Apparently the first choral society that undertook a tour of the world from South Africa was the Pietermaritzburg Choral Society and used the theatre for their rehearsals.
Theatrical productions have included:
Bonaventure (1971), Judy (NAPAC, 1987)
Sources
"Additions and Alterations to the Winston Churchill Theatre at 2 Leinster Rd, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg", the South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS), November 8, 2021[2]
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/2893/Winston-Churchill-Theatre
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