The Minerva Theatre is a
theatre
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...
in
Kolkata
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...
, built in 1893. It was erected at the site on
Beadon Street Beadon may refer to:
* Sir Cecil Beadon (1816–1880), administrator in British India, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal
* Frederick Beadon (1777–1879), English clergyman, canon of Wells Cathedral
* Dr Richard Beadon
Richard Beadon (15 April 173 ...
where the Great National Theatre stood before. The maiden play held on this stage was '
Macbeth
''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...
'. It was initially owned by Nagendra Bhusan Mukhopaddhaya. In course of time, it witnessed several transfers of ownership. Sri
Girish Chandra Ghosh
Girish Chandra Ghosh (28 February 1844 – 8 February 1912) was a Bengali actor, director, and writer. He was largely responsible for the golden age of Bengali theatre.Kundu, Pranay K. ''Development of Stage and Theatre Music in Bengal.'' Publ ...
is noted for having given the last spectacular performance of his life in this theatre. "Minerva" was burnt down in a fire in 1922. However, it was renovated and in 1925, it regained its old status and play acting was resumed. The Minerva, along with the Star and The Classic Theatre, were also one of the places where the
first motion pictures in Bengal, made by
Hiralal Sen
Hiralal Sen ( bn, হীরালাল সেন, ''Hiralal Shen''; 2 August 1868 – 26 October 1917) is generally considered one of India's first filmmakers. In 1903, he filmed the popular Alibaba and Forty Thieves, the first full-length In ...
, were screened.
See also
*
Star Theatre, Calcutta
The Star Theatre is a Theater (structure), theatre in Hatibagan, Kolkata. It was built in 1883. Initially situated in Beadon Street, the theatre later moved to Cornwallis Street - now called Bidhan Sarani. The Star, along with the Minerva Theatr ...
*
Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) is the oldest association of theatre-artists in India. IPTA was formed in 1943 during the British rule in India, and promoted themes related to the Indian freedom struggle. Its goal was to bring cultur ...
External links
Cathcal, KaleidoscopeCalcutta Theatres
Cinema of Bengal
Bengali theatre
Indian film studios
Cinemas in Kolkata
Theatres in Kolkata
{{India-theat-struct-stub