GRAND
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
CINEMA
SOUVENIRS
SOUVENIRS
The historic Grand Theatre in Bloemfontein was situated in East Burger
Street and was opened on 19 February 1906 as a legitimate theatre for
the presentation of live shows. It was designed and built by Belgian
architect Choinier at a cost of about 60,000 pounds sterling.
Street and was opened on 19 February 1906 as a legitimate theatre for
the presentation of live shows. It was designed and built by Belgian
architect Choinier at a cost of about 60,000 pounds sterling.
The photo above was taken from the stage on the opening night when a
distinguished audience, including the Lieut.-General of the Orange River Colony,
Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, saw the D'Oyle Carte Company in Gilbert and
Sullivan's operetta 'The Mikado'
distinguished audience, including the Lieut.-General of the Orange River Colony,
Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, saw the D'Oyle Carte Company in Gilbert and
Sullivan's operetta 'The Mikado'
During the 1940s the owners
of the Grand - African
Consolidated Theatres -
converted the venue into a
cinema. It continued operating
as a cinema until June 1953
when the premises was sold
to South African Breweries. It
was demolished soon
afterwards to make room for
extensions to the Grand Hotel,
which adjoined it. The cinema,
with its unique 'horseshoe'
design, was a splendid
example of an Edwardian
theatre, with a delightfully
intimate atmosphere and
perfect acoustics.
of the Grand - African
Consolidated Theatres -
converted the venue into a
cinema. It continued operating
as a cinema until June 1953
when the premises was sold
to South African Breweries. It
was demolished soon
afterwards to make room for
extensions to the Grand Hotel,
which adjoined it. The cinema,
with its unique 'horseshoe'
design, was a splendid
example of an Edwardian
theatre, with a delightfully
intimate atmosphere and
perfect acoustics.