![]() The first film shown there was The Birth of a Nation (1915), a silent movie, and others followed. Notable artists, such as Edwin Booth, John Barrymore and his family, and Tallulah Bankhead are known to have performed there. It was used not only by professional performers, but also by the community for meetings, dances, college commencement exercises, and musicals. Touring companies of New York City plays, minstrel and variety shows, famed vocalists and lecturers, magicians and mind readers, novelty acts and boxing exhibitions all were featured there. The Opera House quickly became known as "the entertainment center of the Midlands". One scene, a landscape, survived to the late 20th century. Drop curtains and seven scenes or sets for the stage were available. Also on this floor were a ticket office, a "green room", a cloakroom, and three dressing rooms. The second floor contained a hall with 426 seats, 53 by 52 feet (16 m) in size. ![]() The original design called for the first floor to house the fire engine room, town council chambers, a clerk's office, a police officer, and three jail cells. The building, completed in 1881 and dedicated in 1882, had a clock tower 130 feet (40 m) topped with a garfish weather vane. The building was designed in the French Gothic style as both a place of entertainment and as a seat of government for the city. It was restored beginning in 1998, in a project that included an addition to enable its use for full theatrical productions. It later was adapted also for use as a movie theater, but showed its last movie in 1952. For years it attracted national touring companies, individual performers and a variety of theatre acts. The upper floor was designed as a theater and supporting spaces. ĭesigned in the French Gothic style, the first floor of the building was used by the town government for offices, a jail, and the fire company, which had one engine there. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The Newberry Opera House, located in Newberry, South Carolina, is a fully restored historic building that is a live-performance space for popular artists, touring theatre companies, and local organizations.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |