Thalia Theatre (Paramaribo)
 Thalia Theatre in the 1850s | |
 | |
| Address | Dr. J. F. Nassylaan Paramaribo  Suriname |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 5°49′49″N 55°09′36″W / 5.83037°N 55.16002°W |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 20 January 1840 |
| Renovated | 2011 |
| Architect | Johan August Voigt |
Thalia Theatre is a theatre in Paramaribo, Suriname. The theatre opened on 20 January 1840.
Overview
[edit]The Thalia Theatre Company was founded on 27 April 1837.[1] In December 1837, a terrain on the Dr. J. F. Nassylaan was acquired.[2] The theatre was built by architect Johan August Voigt with a capacity of 700 seats,[3] and opened on 20 January 1840.[4] Slaves and people on barefoot were initially not allowed in the theatre.[5]
In the late 19th century, there was disagreement about the future direction of the theatre. On 4 February 1894, former chairman Wessels postulated that there were two kinds of members: anarchists and conservatives.[6] The staging of a play dedicated to the governor van Wijck culminated in a public fistfight and the hospitalisation of one member of the theatre.[7]
In the 1950s, the theatre started to focus on producing their own plays and started to perform some plays in Sranan Tongo, the Creole spoken in Suriname.[8] The theatre company Pohama performed at Thalia as well, and was known for their 1 July event dedicated to the emancipation of slavery in Suriname.[9]
In the late 20th century, the building was in poor shape, and even demolition was considered.[10] In 2011, Thalia Theatre was restored, and reopened with reduced capacity of 500 seats.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "180 jaar Thalia". Werkgroup Caraibische Letteren (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Toneelgenootschap Thalia zit zonder inkomsten". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Kempen 2002, p. 198.
- ^ Kempen 2002, p. 197.
- ^ "Joden in de Cariben". Joods Cultureel Kwartier (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Kempen 2002, p. 307.
- ^ Kempen 2002, p. 308.
- ^ "Theater Thalia, Paramaribo". Theater Encyclopedie (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Papa Koenders, een strijder voor het Sranan". Werkgroup Caraïbische Letteren (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Het verhaal achter het oudste Theater in Paramaribo". Theater Thalia (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Theater Thalia". Uit SU (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
Bibliography
[edit]- Kempen, Michiel van (2002). Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur. Deel 3. Paramaribo: Okopipi. ISBN 99914-640-4-2.
External links
[edit]- Theater Thalia (in Dutch)
