The theatre is named after a playwright whose work now seems mostly unknown, but he was also an entrepreneur and director of theatres and entertainment initiatives. In 1886 construction began from 'public subscription' and it opened in 1905. It seems that the 10 years following this were its heydays - in 1914 electric lighting was installed which allowed for the projection of films. Later in the 20th century it was used less regularly and almost exclusively as a cinema. It finally closed its doors in 1985 and was acquired by the Municipality in 2000. Since then its fate has been uncertain - there were plans to demolish and rebuild but there has always been strong views in the local community that it must not be lost and the preferred outcome is to renovate as a modern theatre space. There is hope that there may be progress, however after all the years in limbo the locals are not surprisingly a bit skeptical.
Myself and @The_Raw arrived nice and early as the sun was rising over the river and access was not as demanding as I had feared. It was a pleasant mooch taking in the atmosphere and faded grandeur. We did also get some bemused looks as we made a slightly comical exit.
Myself and @The_Raw arrived nice and early as the sun was rising over the river and access was not as demanding as I had feared. It was a pleasant mooch taking in the atmosphere and faded grandeur. We did also get some bemused looks as we made a slightly comical exit.
