It is quite regrettable that the iconic venue of the performing arts named The Ward Theatre is a big casualty of sustained disrepair. The building sorely needs the serious, well-programmed attention that it richly deserves.
The Ward Theatre was designed during the early years of the 20th century by architect Rudolph Henriques of the firm Henriques and Son. The building “was presented to the city of Kingston in 1912 by Colonel Charles Ward, a former Custos of Kingston and a partner in the firm of J. Wray and Nephew Limited. Colonel Ward was the nephew indicated in the name of that firm.”
According to Rebecca Tortello, The Ward was declared a National Monument on January 7, 2000, and the theatre (a playhouse, not a cinema) has a long history encompassing the nation’s social, cultural, and political identities. The Ward is also where both political parties – the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) -were launched on September 18, 1938, and July 8, 1943, respectively.
SPECIAL PLACE
As the most prominent venue for the performing arts during a period of 60 years, the Ward Theatre has a special place in Jamaica’s performing arts history. World-renowned personalities performed there, and it was the location for the ‘presentation’ of numerous annual pantomimes. Its site, on the north side of St William Grant Park (formerly Victoria Park), is still a prime civic location where its prominent neighbours include Kingston Parish Church, Coke Methodist Church, and the very classy newcomer named the Simon Bolivar Culture Centre.
A general-status report on the current physical condition of the Ward Theatre indicates that its reinforced concrete perimeter walls are, basically, sound except for a few repairable cracks and severe peeling of its masonry ‘skin’. The badly ruptured roof-cladding contributed to much damage to interior spaces and surfaces, including walls, floors, ceilings, and electrical and air-conditioning installations.
Regarding the site of the Ward Theatre within the downtown Kingston precinct, it is unfortunate that urban renewal has not spread northwards from Harbour Street to National Heroes Circle. The very significant Kingston Waterfront redevelopment area should have spurred a flow of physical improvements that would have ‘captured’ the Ward Theatre and its environs. Physical and social deterioration of some locations in the vicinity of the Ward Theatre has contributed to negative perceptions regarding the personal safety of the potential patrons of the theatre.
Deficiencies in public transportation mean that late-evening vehicular access from St Andrew to the Ward Theatre would be possible only by means of personal motor vehicles. In that regard, convenient car-parking provision and adequate security oversight are crucial necessities.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT
Financial constraint is yet again blamed for maintenance laxity of facilities that include The Ward Theatre. The nation’s financial impunity and its many other pressing obligations really does weaken its ability to properly support the maintenance of its cultural assets. While funding for ‘The Arts’ by means of private endowments remain meagre, commendable contributions to renovation of the Ward Theatre by the CHASE Fund have not had the expected impact.
Mobilization of financing for renewal of the theatre would apparently have been best achieved via national budget-allocations to the Ministry of Government with portfolio responsibility for culture.
Renovation of the Ward Theatre will contribute much to the upgrade of its North Parade setting – such is the strength of its presence.
Its function after restoration may not be to the extent of ‘its glory days’, but the renewed accommodation would contribute to better citywide distribution of venues for the performing arts.
Neil Richards is an architect and town planner.
