Kimberley Theatres

Kimberley Theatres is a Chronology of Theatres in Kimberley.

22nd October, 1870: Parker's Music Hall opened originally in Klipdrift, (now Beaufort West) and was named after Stafford Parker, a British artist, miner and the only President of the small and short-lived "Diggers Republic" on the diamond fields. He rose to prominence as commandant of the miners' "Mutual Protection Association". Originally, Klipdrift was called New Rush when diamonds were first found, but the name was changed to Vooruitsig (Dutch spelling: Voorzuitsig) which, when translated into English, means "Careful". The corrugated iron structure was moved to Kimberley and opened as Parker's Pavilion in Dotoitspan Street on November 20, 1873. Two years later it was renamed the Kimberley Hall.

On 23rd Sepember, 1871,: the Theatre Royal, was opened in Dutoitspan Road. On November 12, 1877, a rollerskating rink was opened as part of the complex. In 1883 electric lights were installed in the theatre. In 1887 the iron structure was demolished and the Theatre Royal re-opened in a beautiful brick building in Beaconsfield (which was then a neighbouring town to Kimberley) on June 25, 1887. The theatre closed on 28th December, 1888 and was converted into a hotel.

In May 1872, St James Hall was opened and moved from ? to Dutoitspan Road, Kimberley, in May 1872, but it was short lived and closed on 13th March, 1875.

Sources

"Schematic Diagram of Amusement Venues" supplied by the Kimberley Africana library.