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GEORGE NEWS - A long-forgotten little theatre in Market Street now receives fresh interest from a local non-profit organisation that wants to get some shows going.
The Market Theatre Community Centre, as it has been renamed, is an intimate little theatre on Market Street. It was built as St Paul's Mission Church in 1855 and was converted into a theatre in the 1979.
It has however been left unused for a number of years and has suffered a lot of damage from the hands of vagrants.
Chairperson of Enable Community Projects Heather Stead said their vision is to run a community arts theatre.
"It is a midway between worlds. This little theatre is perfect to bring the whole community together on one platform," she says.
Renovations underway
The current challenge, however, is to start with renovations that will enable the community to use the space in a creative way. "It needs to be safe, secure and functional. We need the help of the community," says Stead.
The restoration project is steered by Stead, a former theatre manager at the George Arts Theatre who currently runs their outreach project, Let's GO Arts.
"To have another theatre in George will be wonderful - and especially one that is aimed at small intimate productions," said Stead. "It only seats 90 people and does not have wings and a backstage area for big shows, but is ideal for schools or performers who are just starting out and want a performing venue."
Leasing of the building
Council approved the leasing of the old Market Theatre to Enable Community Projects at a nominal amount of R20 per year.
"The lessee indicated that they do have the expertise to initiate the process to obtain heritage approval, but we will be assisting them if required," said Lauren Waring, director of Human Settlements, Planning and Development.
"The lessee has already approached donors for funding and required the signed lease agreement from the municipality to secure the funding. To date the municipality has fixed the electrification at the building and is in conversation with the youth centre on the same premises regarding security arrangements."
The beautiful outside glass windows need to be restored.
Running costs
Stead plans to hire out the theatre for functions in order to pay the running costs, but they need the help of the community to get the renovations going. "This little gem is part of our George heritage and we cannot let it fall down into disrepair," she says.
"We need some help and will have an open cleaning day and we are inviting all those interested in getting the Market Theatre Community Centre on its feet to bring a mop, cloth, broom or feather duster as we need to clean every inch of the building and start afresh. Our biggest challenge is that, as a heritage building, we need to apply to Heritage Western Cape for funds to properly restore the building, but we need to spruce it up so that we can use it in the meantime."
Stead says a local trust fund run by arts supporters sponsored the installation of a full alarm system as well as one year's subscription for the alarm, which is an incredible relief. "We will also be needing to reach out to local gates/ fencing companies who might be willing to help with a gate to secure the entrance."
Donations and help
Stead says an enthusiastic team of members of the performing arts community are eager and ready to start with the much-needed renovations. "We have had some donations from the George Arts Theatre and would be happy for any time or donations from the George locals," she says.
"We have opened a Friends of the Market Theatre Community Centre bank account through our NGO Enable Community Project and anyone who would like to become a friend of the Market Theatre can become a member for R100 a year. For that R100 you will have the privilege of saying you helped save a unique 160-year-old theatre from crumbling into disrepair like so many of our heritage buildings. Let's not let that happen!"
For more information, contact Heather Stead at markettheatre-communitycentre@gmail.com or 072 369 3304.
An historical photo of the St Paul's Mission Church in Market Street, from George Museum.
The last service of the St Paul's Mission held in this building was on 30 May 1971. The St Paul's Mission moved to Conville in 1971, because the chapel was too far from the congregation's homes. This is a direct result of the Group Areas Act of 1950 which meant that all people of colour had to vacate their homes in the town and move to townships in the south. The Act was enforced in George in the 1960s. The church became the "Market Theatre" for use by the Rederykers theatre productions and bioscope in 1979. The building was declared a provincial heritage site in 1979. Source: Historian Lynn Thompson
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