Colosseum Theatre
3 St. George's Mall Street,
Cape Town
8000
3 St. George's Mall Street,
Cape Town
8000
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Designed by Scottish architect William Hood Grant. Any further information would be appreciated. The Colosseum Theatre was opened on 14th February 1938.
Contributed by
Graeme McBain
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
I recall the Colosseum very well.
In the 1949 to 53 era we used to frequent it on a regular basis on Sat Mornings,for the Stage Competitions then the Serials such as the Crimson Ghost etc,then to a few Comedies and finally the Main Movie,Oh what a lovely day that was for all us young ones.
I myself remember the competition i went in for with the Wooden Horses racing them across the large stage floor with me winning first prize!! Oh what a buzz.
just before all this however we always sang a song with the Host and i will never forget it. Goes like this.
Horay Horaa!!
Wer'e at the Colosseum
We know where good pictures are
And here’s the place to see them
All we Lads and Lassise here
Have smiles upon our faces
Wer'e happier here with Uncle Tom
Than going other places.
Yes that Uncle Tom will never be forgotten i am sure bu all that used to go to the great Colosseum.
Now i am old and grey but still recall my heyday!!
Cheers Vernon
The Colosseum Theatre was situated at 3, St. George’s Street (corner of St. George’s and Riebeek Streets) Cape Town in the Commonwealth Building. It was built in the Art Deco style and had stalls and raised stalls seating.
The Theatre was closed in the late 70'. The department store (Clicks)now occupies the space in the Commonwealth Building.
note: The “Colosseum” is not to confused with the earlier “Coliseum” which was a smaller cinema (bioscope) situated in the suburb of Salt River and built in 1926.
The Colosseum Theatre was built about 1937, on the site of Wolfram’s Bioscope which was situated at No.1 St.George’s Street Cape Town. Wolfram’s was one of Cape Town’s first purpose built cinemas, and situated adjacent to the Promenade Cinema Tearoom at No.3 St.George’s Street.
A vintage photograph of the Colosseum Theatre in 1950:
http://flickr.com/photos/8270787@N07/2056681493/
Three photos of Cape Town’s Colosseum Theatre are at this link. The building has been converted into a residential-commercial condominium which has a web site. It’s difficult to tell for sure, but from the virtual tours of the units it looks as though they demolished the auditorium to use the space partly as an atrium and partly for new construction.
According to this web page, the formal opening of the Colosseum Theatre took place on February 14, 1938, and it was converted to shops and offices in 1972.