Kimberley Theatres
Kimberley Theatres is a Chronology of Theatres in Kimberley.
22nd October, 1870: Parker's Music Hall opened originally in Klipdrift, 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". 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.
24th December, 1874: Alhambra Hall first mentioned. It was located in Upper Jones Street and Victorious. In 1884 Joe Dobson opened his circus on the same spot.
7th November, 1874: Variety Theatre opened, located in Dutoitsan Road, opposite the Vine Hotel. It later became part of the Richmond Hotel.
First mentioned on 14th March, 1876: Kimberley Gaiety (AKA Odd-Fellows Hall) was located in Currey Street. It was still in operation in 1881.
18th May, 1876: Loyal & Abell Hall (AKA Lanyon), was Located in Jones Street, Kimberley.
24th May, 1878: Academy of Music. Closed at the end of 1878 and was converted into a church.
11th October, 181881: Library Hall. On 14th March, 1882, it was electrified. On 8th September, 1882 it became the Town Hall.
1st February, 1882: New Imperial Theatre was first mentioned. On 1st July, 1890, it was still being used.
8th September, 1882: Town Hall opened. On 20th September, 1882, it was converted into a "Coloured" school.
23rd September, 1887: Queen's Theatre opened in Lower Jones Street. Opened with electric lighting.
20th October, 1888: Elton's Bijou Theatre opened in De Beers Road, opposite the Post Office. No further information available.
Sources
Die Kulturele Lewe van Diamantdelwers te Kimberley vanaf 1870 to 1890 by Helena Maria Scheffler. (The Cultural Life of Diamond Diggers in Kimberley from 1870 until 1890) Dissertation/Thesis for the University of Pretoria.
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