Queen’s Hall celebrates 50 years

Chairman Astra Da Costa was first appointed to the position in 2004 and again in 2008. She said that Queen’s Hall solidified the performing arts as an industry and also recognised the performers who satisfy the public’s need for distraction, humour and inspiration.

She stated: “Queen’s Hall has come to symbolise formal recognition of the performing arts by various administrations over the years and by the country as a whole. It represents, perhaps, a legitimisation of the performing arts sector, an acceptance that the industry has merit, is a viable occupational field, and that it can stand next to any other professional endeavour as offering an honest, useful, and rewarding means of making a living.

“Above all, in all their forms, they reflect our very souls, both as individuals and as a nation. They touch us and give us relief from the pressures of daily living; they energise and rejuvenate us, yet they teach us about life, about coping, about communicating and about truly understanding those around us and ourselves.”

In many ways it seems, that Queen’s Hall is its own entity that has evolved since its existence and continues to evolve with the times. A historical look at Queen’s Hall best highlights those who have strived to establish it as well as how the venue has been made over and modernised to meet the ever-changing demands of a world in constant transition.

The Second World War ended in 1945 and when the dust had settled, there was a prevailing sense of calm and hope. This flourishing optimism was being felt at all facets of society. As a cultural awakening was taking place, people increasingly sought pleasure from entertainment.

Many flocked to cinemas for frivolous respite from reality. Local operatic and dramatic societies also capitalised on the hype by staging plays and performances. Meanwhile, local performers such as Winifred Atwell and Geoffrey Holder were making their name overseas.

However, technical difficulties and venue inadequacy plagued performers. Problems with acoustics, lighting, seating and facilities during the hosting of live events often overshadowed the performances.

It was during the early 1950’s that the then chairman of the Trinidad Music Association (TMA), Helen May Johnstone imagined a concert hall built specifically to accommodate live performances. D Sydney Northcote, an Englishman who had been invited to Trinidad and Tobago to adjudicate the Music Festival, began clamouring for more suitable facilities.

Soon though, it became clear that the only way that a fitting auditorium, hall or theatre would ever be erected is if they were to established one themselves. And, that is exactly what they set out to do.

Northcote thought that they could successfully remodel one of the unused hangars in Port-of- Spain. The idea was the rebuilding of the hangar on a central site and adapting the interior to create a concert platform and a proscenium stage. Johnstone fully supported the inexpensive and innovative solution. In September of 1950, she and husband Robert and Northcote met with Colonial Office officials who agreed with the concept for a concert hall. In April of 1951, Johnstone and the Trinidad Music Association sent the Government a full memorandum detailing their plans.

There was some confusion about the architectural vision and people disputed whether or not to reinvent and design what was initially developed by architect Colin Laird. Gillespie and Steele worked closely with Arup Acoustics to ensure that the design also complimented the acoustical requirements of a theatre. Even the most minute details, like whether or not the stairs of the auditorium should be carpeted, were broken down to the acoustic value.

Da Costa explained that Queen’s Hall has evolved over the years: “Queen’s Hall was first opened as a Community Centre Concert Hall and for many years was also used for activities outside of the performing arts such as weightlifting shows, bingo, fencing tournaments, table tennis and wrestling shows. Today, primarily because of the awakening talent pool, exposure to international standards, and our increasingly state-of-the-art equipment, Queen’s Hall’s focus has been on events within the performing arts.”

Between 2001 to 2002 , Queen’s Hall underwent an extensive renovation project to enhance the facilities and re-opened four years later. Queen’s Hall’s most recent incarnation boasts to be the best state-of-the-art and sophisticated theatre in the Caribbean with 742 person stadium- style seating. In October 2006, the Queen’s Hall Phase II Redevelopment Project received the Penta Award for the finest interior at the Caribbean Building Awards for Excellence. More recently, a new administration building and maintenance and storage facility was constructed at Queen’s Hall.

Da Costa said that no renovation plans are in the works, but that the management of Queen’s Hall aspires to deliver a supreme service in the most suitable setting possible: “We will always be on the look out to ensure that the facility remains state-of-the-art, adjusting and tweaking where and as necessary to keep Queen’s Hall at optimum performance.”

According to Da Costa, Queen’s Hall has also become the venue for a variety of different events, which are not limited to entertainment: “Queen’s Hall has under its belt the hosting of many international, regional and national events, for example, the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, The Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition, Indian musicals, various productions by major theatre groups, dance companies, chorales and orchestras from around the country.”

She said that great things are ahead for Queen’s Hall. They strive to make it more accessible to members of the performing arts and the public: “Queen’s Hall will continue to be a very reasonable theatre option for performers and audiences. It is also a classic ‘small’ theatre with all that any group, amateur or professional, needs to put on an excellent performance. It will therefore always be a crucible for learning and development.”