History
You glance at your theatre tickets up by your mirror as you do your last bit of fixing up. You’re excited to be going to the Sea Craft Building, to see a theatre production on Grand Bahama.
As your car pulls into the makeshift parking lot on the gravel off Fishing Hole Road, you see ladies carefully lift their gowns to avoid the mud as they enter the tin roofed building. After presenting your ticket and saying hello to friends you sit on a folding metal chair.
The show begins, but so does the rain! The actors raise their voices to be heard above the pound of raindrops on the metal roof. It is a quick shower thankfully. But wait, an airplane is approaching. The actors must stop mid-sentence, wait for the airplane to rumble past overhead as the metal roof resonates, and then resume where they left off. These were the humble beginnings of theatre on Grand Bahama.
A dedicated group of individuals (mostly British) who had a love for theatre began and kept theatre alive on Grand Bahama, and fortunately for us, it is still thriving today.
In 1961 the Freeport Players’ Guild was officially formed with the following board members: Sir Jack Hayward, President; John Slack, Vice President; Patricia Bloom, Secretary; Betty McConville, Treasurer; and William MacNeill, David Brooks, Peter Aston, Raymond McNeill, Martin Sinsley as Directors.
It wasn’t until 1971 that the Regency Theatre was built, opening with the Guild’s production of The Importance of Being Ernest. In 1973, the Freeport Players’ Guild was proud to welcome Prince Charles as a visitor to the Regency Theatre.
In 1991 and 1992 renovations were necessary to keep the building in good repair. There have been many changes and improvements over the years, the largest renovation project taking place in 1991 -1992.
In 1996 the theatre celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a special Stroll Down Memory Lane production, when the auditorium was renamed in honor of Peter Aston.
The Regency Theatre is definitely a building that holds wonderful memories and a rich theatrical arts history for Grand Bahama. It’s had good-to-great years, and years when it was difficult to keep the theatre going, but with the help of many dedicated persons over the years we still enjoy live entertainment today!
Renovations
The devastation wrought by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 did not spare the Regency Theatre. The auditorium was under six feet of water, and the Guild was faced with major damage to the theatre. Since then they have, with the financial assistance of members, patrons and the general public, raised enough funds to repair almost all of the damages to the theatre.
The theatre now boasts brand new comfortable chairs! You can still sponsor a chair and have your name (or dedicate it to someone else) on a plaque that will remain on the back of a chair for a donation of $200. The old chairs were funded in the same manner and a large plaque containing the old name plates are displayed in the lobby. The sound system has been upgraded as well as the lighting and the stage curtains have just been replaced!
In the summer of 2009 a complete renovation of the lobby was undertaken. New bar, new seating, new bathrooms, recessed mini stage, new art, new ceiling, new floors ... the transformation was astounding! Click here to visit Bahama Islands Info.com and view a gallery from the President's Cocktail Party where the new lobby was unveiled.
