64
Places & Spaces
Whither the Ward Theatre?
Be Knowledgeable
– the Pride of North Parade
ithout doubt, Jamaica’s biggest theatre and one of located in the heart of downtown Kingston. Now a its most recognizable landmarks is the Ward Theatre, The Ward Theatre has three levels (Parquette, Dress Circle and that boasts over 2,000 square feet. In its heyday more than Gallery) a seating capacity of over 800 and a magnificent stage 100,000 attended performances at The Ward annually. Considered the ‘Pride of North Parade’, the Ward Theatre was recognize d as a symbol of our nation’s cultural heritage.
shadow of its former glorious self, ‘The Ward’ was once THE place to be seen as before plays could debut on Broadway, they first had to be seen and reviewed at Ward to judge their viability.
W
The Ward Theatre was built in 1912 by Charles James Ward,
then Custos of the parish of Kingston. Charles, the nephew of John Wray (of J. Wray & Nephew fame) was a very successful businessman who owned the tavern which was located beside
The Ward is unmatched in its architectural elegance and
phenomenal acoustical capacity because it was designed for
superior amplification hence with proper projection from actors and singers, every syllable can be heard all the way to the roof (an important feature, particularly in the years before stage
the previous theatre, the Theatre Royal. In addition to his sharp
business sense, he developed an altruistic spirit as he aged, and in his early 70s his greatest gift to the city he loved was that of a a little less than a year after seeing his ‘gift’ opened. new theatre of epic proportions. Unfortunately Colonel Ward died
microphones became a standard feature of theatre amplification). Solidly constructed with steel and concrete which was considered
a novel way of erecting buildings a century ago, the theatre was fashioned in the popular Jamaican Georgian and Neo-Classical style and features extraordinary ornamentation with terra-cotta other building in such abundance.
The Ward is the third theatre to stand in its present location since 1775. The first, the Kingston Theatre, was destroyed by fire. The next structure called the Theatre Royal went down in the famous construction of the present Ward Theatre began and was
plasterwork and stucco work that has never been identified on any
January 1907 earthquake. In 1910, following a design competition, completed 2 years later at a cost of £12,000 which was a king’s
Such was the anticipation of its completion that then Governor of Jamaica, Sir Sidney Olivier, is said to have remarked to the legendary Irish playwright and novelist Sir George Bernard Shaw that after the 1907 earthquake, Jamaica needed a magnificent theatre of impeccable architectural quality to assist in its rally around.
ransom back then. Its impressive structure was deliberate because this new edifice was supposed to rival the theatrical powerhouses of Europe, yet the designer was cognizant enough to understand theatre to capacity.
that in a tropical climate proper ventilation was key when packing a
renaissance, as it will be a source of renewal that its people can