Town Hall, Queenstown, South Africa

The historic town hall in Komani (Queenstown), which burned down a year ago, has still not been repaired. And police investigations into the fire have gone nowhere.

Built in 1882, the sandstone town hall is one of the historic heritage sites in the Eastern Cape. It used to house the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality offices and meetings of the town council.

GroundUp


 

Bloemfontein City Hall

Also referred to sometimes as the Town Hall. Built in 18* to a design by * . Utilized besides housing the municipal offices, the hall itself was utilized for political rallies, receptions, balls, musical and other entertainments, including ballet, opera and theatre.

ESAT


 

Standard Theatre, Johannesburg

First purpose built theatre in Johannesburg, it was a lushly decorated Victorian horseshoe shaped theatre, erected behind the Rissik street Post Office in Market Street. Seated 800 people, but with the addition of extra seats could house a 1000. (According to P.J. du Toit, 1988, it could house 1400.) It opened 1891 and became favoured venue of touring theatre and opera companies from England and elsewhere. For example Mark Twain performed his At Home there in May 1896.

ESAT


 

Theatre Royal, Durban

A theatre situated at the corner of West Street and Theatre Lane, it opened November 1882, as a multiple-purpose venue (plays, dances, boxing, etc). Extensively renovated in 1899, seating 1000, for theatrical performances.

Besides local productions, visiting performers and companies included H. B. Irving, Lily Langtry, Marie Tempest, Harry Lauder and Sybil Thorndike. Mark Twain performed his At Home there in 1896.

From 1939 also used as a cinema. In 1953 the building was sold to a furniture business and is currently the site of a set of warehouses.

Old Town Hall, Columbo

Amongst the little known historic monuments of Colombo, is large gothic church-like mansion in the old business quarter of Pettah. People, both locals and tourists, pass it by with little thought to what it contains – a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. It vanishes among the landscape surrounded by equally dated buildings, colorful modern shops and other interesting pieces of architecture. The fact that it’s in one of the busiest sectors of the city doesn’t help.

Railway Theatre, Lahore, Punjab

This is possibly related to the Lahore Junction railway station: 

The station is a legacy of the extensive railway network established during the British Raj, and reflects the British contribution to the region's infrastructure. The station was severely affected during the riots which followed the Partition of the British Indian Empire and the independence of Pakistan in 1947.

Wikipedia


 

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