In the richmond theater fire, the first book about the event and its aftermath, meredith henne baker explores a forgotten catastrophe and its. Richmond theatre is one of the most successful theatres in the country presenting a wide range of quality drama, record breaking musicals, opera, dance and family entertainment each year. The richmond triangle players, an lgbt troupe, produces experimental shows. Early americas first great disaster baker, meredith henne on. Many sermons encouraged richmond residents to stop going to the theater and start practicing their faith and go to church, said baker, who wrote the book the richmond theater fire. The richmond theater fire the journal of southern religion. The restoration of monumental church in richmond, virginia.
Firehouse theatre project richmond 2020 all you need. Find firehouse theater project in richmond with address, phone number from yahoo us local. The following is an extract from a gentleman of richmond, giving an account of the afflicting fire at that place, on the night of the 26th december. This flaw does not ultimately detract from the books engaging and informative. The burning of the theatre in richmond, virginia, on the night of the 26th december 1811. Reflection upon the many heroes who fought to save lives will provide lessons of grand character.
Remarks on the theatre, and on the late fire at richmond, in virginia. The richmond theatre fire occurred in richmond, virginia, united states on thursday, december 26, 1811. Art walks, historic theaters, galleries, rooftops and sweeping stages indoors and out throughout the richmond region feature musical, visual and performing arts events for lovers of the arts. Instead of celebration, they tragically became part of one of early. Investigating private letters, diaries, and sermons, among other rare or unpublished documents, baker views the event. The dance theatre is known for its energetic, crowd pleasing.
Investigating private letters, diaries, and sermons, among other. The fire, which killed 72 people including many government officials, was the worst urban disaster in american history at the time. The richmond forum presents vijay gupta the healing power of music. Back to free surname search main page back to unusual epitaphs main page. The richmond theater fire december 26, 1811 richmond, virginia list of victims. Built in 1899 as the theatre royal and opera house and refurbished in 1991, it is now operated and managed by the ambassador theatre group ltd, renowned for its productions and highly successful management and ownership of theatre venues throughout the country. In the richmond theater fire, the first book about the event and its aftermath, meredith henne baker explores a forgotten catastrophe and its wide societal. Modlin center favorites, theaterworks usa have introduced theaterworks anywhere, a fun and interactive way for children and young adults to learn about making theater and adapting a book. It devastated the richmond theatre, located on the north side of broad street between what is now twelfth and college streets. We present you with the letter r is for the richmond theatre fire william dunlap in his a history of the american theatre 1832, described the richmond theatre fire. Performing arts in richmond things to do in richmond. Richmond theatre is one of the most beautiful of all the frank matcham theatres. Firehouse theater project in richmond firehouse theater. The richmond timesdispatch describes the shows this way.
It opened on 18 september 1899 with a performance of as you like it. It was so named because it was raised as a monument to the victims of a tragic fire on december 26, 1811 at the old richmond theatre which occupied that site. The tragic richmond theater fire would become its generations defining disaster. Pamela kinney is a published author of fiction, horror, fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction under the pen name sapphire phelan. Amc reserves the right to exercise special pricing options for unique intheatre experiences. On the day after christmas in 1811, the state of virginia lost its governor and almost one hundred citizens in a devastating nighttime fire that. Theatrelabs sweeney todd wins big at richmond theatre. It is established as one of the most successful theatres in the country. This was like the titanic or the hurricane katrina of its day a disaster that was just unparalleled, said meredith henne baker, author of the new book the richmond theater fire. Early americas first great disaster tells the hidden history of a virginia tragedy that changed the nation. At the time it was the deadliest urban disaster in american history. It welcomes a quarter of a million theatre goers to over 40 outstanding productions annually and is a venue for local arts organisations charities to meet, perform and enjoy the theatre.
The story comes alive through the accounts of actresses, ministers, slaves, and statesmen. Together they bring excitement and creativity to movement. Scamp theatre and freckle productions present stick man. One of the finest surviving examples of the work of theatre architect frank matcham, the building, in red brick with buff terracotta, is listed grade ii by historic. In 1811, a fire in richmonds most popular theater building killed governor smith and over seventy other people in what was considered the. This article captures the story behind the tragic fire that took place at the richmond theatre over 200 years ago. Two hundred and two years tonight, on december 26, 1811, about 600 people settled in to their seats at the old richmond theater on broad street to watch a double feature performance of the plays the father and raymond and agness. The 1811 richmond theatre fire occurred in richmond, virginia, united states on december 26, 1811. Remarks on the theatre, and on the late fire at richmond. Firehouse theatre is an artistic home, a thriving hub of creative activity, and a center for community. Richmond theater fire victims remembered in monumental church. The church for which bishop moore served as rector during his tenure as bishop was the monumental church which was located on the north side of broad street between twelth and college st. Touching, funny and utterly original, scamp theatres delightful adaptation of julia donaldson and axel schefflers stick man is coming to glasgow what starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for stick man.
A catastrophic fire during a holiday performance at the richmond theatre on the site on december 26, 1811, claimed the lives of 72 people, including the newly elected governor of. But instead of celebration, they tragically became part of one of early americas first national disasters. In the richmond theater fire, the first book about the event and its aftermath, meredith henne baker explores a forgotten catastrophe and its wide societal impact. Richmond theater is your guide to shows in richmonds theaters. Save money and maximize your time in london with a london pass, the ultimate sightseer credits package that grants you access to more than 80 top attractions and tours, including the tower of london, westminster abbey, the view from the shard, and a thames river cruise. In december of 1811, enslaved blacksmith gilbert hunt helped save about a dozen white women from a horrific theatre fire in richmond, virginia, by catching them as they came out of a thirdstory window. Richmond theatre fire 1811 contributed by brendan wolfe. A large fire has ripped through a spa and hotel in southwest london.
Buy tickets, get box office information, driving directions and more. The richmond theatre fire, on december 26, 1811, caused the deaths of more than seventy people, including the governor of virginia. Richmond theatre box office buy tickets online atg tickets. The awardwinning book about an 1811 disaster that changed virginia, by author meredith henne baker. Find broadway shows, musicals, plays and concerts and buy tickets with us now. About 100 firefighters and 15 engines were at the scene battling the blaze in richmond on tuesday evening. The richmond theatre inferno of 1811 bridge to strength. Coalition theater hosts live comedy shows, including our very own satirical late night show, rva tonight, and classes. On december 26, 1811 in richmond, virginia, upwards of 600 patrons attended a benefit performance at the richmond theatre. The city dance theatre is an awardwinning ensemble of approximately 15 young men and women. Haunted richmond, by pamela kinney is a tour guide through richmond, virginia.
Director billy christopher maupin has cast smartly, and he moves the episodes along while hitting the occasional emotional notes honestly. Firehouse theatre is an artistic home, a thriving hub of creative activity, and a center for community engagement where new performance work is developed and produced. In 1811, a fire in richmond s most popular theater building killed governor smith and over seventy other people in what was considered the early republics worst civilian disaster. Much is revealed about the human spirit and how people at the scene faced the raging flames. A book, entitled gilbert hunt, the city blacksmith, later was published in his honor and to provide financial assistance for him in his old age. The story of transformation comes alive through survivor accounts of slaves, actresses, ministers, and statesmen. Theater fire victims remembered in monumental church. Show times, trailers, news, movie details, and online ticketing. The richmond theatre fire occurred in richmond, virginia, united states on thursday. The present richmond theatre, in the london borough of richmond upon thames, is a british victorian theatre located on little green, adjacent to richmond green. It relays stories, legends, myths, and historical facts that dispatch supposed haunting or ghostly lore in the area. Part of the 20192020 broadway in richmond season buy tickets more information. On december 26, 1811 in richmond, virginia, upwards of 600 patrons atteded a benefit performance at the richmond theatre.
The actors and audience attempted to flee the theater, only to find their egress obstructed by narrow lobbies, winding staircases, and deficient exits. New book examines richmond theatre fire entertainment. View all hotels near firehouse theatre project on tripadvisor. Richmond theatre welcomes a quarter of a million theatre goers. On december 26, 1811, the broad street theatre in richmond, virginia, caught fire during an evening show. The demon barber of fleet street was the big winner at the 12th annual richmond theatre critics circle awards, taking home seven awards including best.