The Apollo Theatre, the pride of Victoria West

 

 

The Apollo Theater in Church Street is the only functioning Art Deco theater in the country, if not in the Southern Hemisphere. The theater was built in the 1920’s, torn down and enlarged at one point and finally closed in the 70’s. The building remained closed until 1995, when it was rediscovered and reopened by a couple, David and Gail Robbins. The gem has been preserved with the original chairs, projectors and pictures of past movie stars on the walls. Until 2006, a film festival was presented annually with great success, but as it goes, corruption set in and the theater was closed again. In 2017, community members decided to get the theater functional again. A new Board of Directors was chosen and continues to this day. It is not easy to keep the theatre going, but with the help of Lottoland Help'n Dorp, the theater was renovated in 2023. A Management Team of volunteers was brought together to organize events and help with the management of the building. The Apollo management's mission is to serve the community with art and culture, and to allow this historic gem of a theater to continue to exist, despite the challenges that goes with it.

 

  

Die Apollo Teater in Kerkstraat is die enigste funksionerende Art Deco teater in die land, indien nie in die Suidelike Halfrond nie. Die teater is in die 1920's gebou, op'n stadium afgebreek en vergroot en finaal gesluit in die 70's. Die gebou het net so toegesluit gestaan tot in 1995, toe dit deur 'n egpaar, David en Gail Robbins, herontdek en weer oopgestel is. Die juweel het behoue gebly met die oorspronklike stoele, projektors en prente van vergange filmsterre teen die mure. Tot in 2006 is daar jaarliks 'n filmfees met groot sukses aangebied, maar soos dit gaan, het korrupsie ingetree en is die teater weer gesluit. ln 2017 het lede van die gemeenskap besluit om die perd op te saal om die teater weer funksioneel te kry. 'n Nuwe Direksie is gekies en tot op hede gaan dit voort. Maklik is dit nie, maar met die hulp van Lottoland Help'n Dorp, is die teater in 2023 opgeknap, 'n Ondersteunende bestuurspan is byeengebring om geleenthede te reel en te help met die bestuur van die gebou. Die Apollo bestuur se missie is om die gemeenskap te dien met kuns en kultuur, en om hierdie historiese juweel van ‘n teater te laat voort bestaan, ten spyte van die uitdagings wat daarmee te paart gaan.

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