Alhambra Theatre’s historical tale
NEW DOORNFONTEIN – Learn more about an abandoned theatre in Johannesburg...
We love watching onstage performances, so it was no wonder that City Buzz just had to find out more about the abandoned theatre we ame across in the city.
New Doornfontein is a place that is rarely associated with nightlife and socialising, but rather business and corporations, so it was truly a surprise to find this little gem.
We stumbled upon the disused Alhambra Theatre on the corner of Beit and Sivewright streets, and it is a beauty.
According to johannesburg1912.wordpress.com, it was designed by SV Mann in 1921 and was originally used as a cinema before taking the form of a theatre.
With just one operational theatre, it was not one of the larger theatre venues at the time, but it sure did light up with a number of regular events.
Later it was bought by Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society (Jods) and was used to stage their productions until Pieter Toerien bought the premises in 1981.
Does that name sound familiar?
It should because it is indeed the same Pieter Toerien who bought a stage at Montecasino to host regular theatre productions, and the Alhambra Theatre was where it all began.
Under the ownership of Toerien, two out-of-use halls were renovated to create a venue with three operational stages, and with it, so much life.
The theatre remained in use until 1994 and thereafter succumbed to the invention of TV and people’s pursuits for other popular leisure activities.
According to Dereck Smith, a South African photographer who was granted permission to take interior photographs of the theatre some years back, only one of the halls still has seats while the others are packed with props.
Smith further explained that the building was set to be rejuvenated as part of the Ellis Park Precinct, but never was.
“I asked Pieter if I should send him the interior photgraphs, but he declined as he did not want to be reminded of how this glorious space had fallen into disrepair,” Smith noted on social media.
Details: johannesburg1912.wordpress.com; www.artefacts.co.za; esat.sun.ac.za
