History of Theatre in Berkeley County

By:  Jennifer Fountain

When I hear the word, “Theater” I think of my childhood and how the act of going was my “academic reward.”  I grew up without cable television and while my friends took in the Cosbys, Full House or the Munsters reruns, I took in the many books that lined my shelves. Once a semester (if on good behavior) my parents would take my sister and me to the theater.

I can remember one theater in particular with its tin, embellished ceiling.  I can still see the balconies and the red velvet curtain. Although the curtain was tattered in spots, it was dramatic. I can remember grasping my red and white paper bag full of popcorn like it was a prize. The waft of buttery steam would wash my face.  My father let me lean into the candy case and make a single, sweet selection.

Although it wasn’t a local theater that I remember, it was old and classic. I didn’t mind the cool draft of air at my ankles in the wintertime, or the humidity in the summertime. I can remember huddling next to my sister through each season, the lights would dim and in what seemed like whispers, we^‘d hear my parents say, “They don’t make theaters like this anymore.” All four of us waited with anticipation as an unknown person pulled back the heavy velvet, exposing the massive screen.

I am not alone in my memories, much like myself, Harriet Eyler remembers attending a birthday party in the Roseland Ballroom, at the Apollo Civic Theatre, during the end of the Second World War. She and her friends would watch a movie downstairs after cake and ice cream upstairs.

     Over the years, Martinsburg had a total of five theaters, all at the turn of the 20th Century. In talking to locals, it seems that it’s the Apollo most fondly remembered. The other theaters were the Strand, the Central, the State, and the Opera House, all of which were located downtown.  The Opera House was located in the Hammann Building parking lot by the current Shenandoah Hotel, but it burned down around 1915 and was not rebuilt. Don Woods, at Martinsburg’s Historical Center tried to help me find information on the theaters but by the time their historical value was thought of, the theaters were since torn down. The traces of history and events that occurred within their walls were long gone.

{editor’s note:  The Historical Soc. thought there were 5 theatres but only had good records and maps denoting 4… others were located at current sites of City Hall, Presbyterian Church, parking lot near Station Grill restaurant, Shenandoah Hotel parking lot, and the Thorn, later called The Town, then the Berkeley County Community Theatre, and finally The Apollo Civic Theatre.}

In a book I found at the public library, “Hometown Memories: Growing Up In Martinsburg, West Virginia,” author Ethel Wayble Bovey, spoke of the theaters. She stated in her book that the Central burned down in 1919. One if not several of the theaters Ethel referred to as “Open Aired Theaters.” Sort of like a drive in theater of the day, that played silent black and white movies. Ethel stated that the Central and the Strand were mostly for male entertainment, due to the fact that the Westerns were quite rowdy.

At the turn of the 20^th Century, the film industry was just getting started. Later, films offered those suffering through the Depression a chance to briefly leave the lives they knew.  The cost of their escape?  A mere 15 cents, which was a lot at that time.

Harriet Eyler, a native of Martinsburg, recalled, “The Central played mostly first run Westerns and the State was a Technicolor theater.” She stated she didn’t remember much about the, “Strand^“ just that her daddy didn’t allow her to watch movies there during the 1940’s.  She told me that she can remember going to the Apollo every Saturday during the war and to this day, she still loves the “antiquities.” Gone With The Wind being her favorite movie. All of the theaters were Warner Brothers Theaters and many theaters are still owned by them today.

       The Apollo Theater, as most locals know, is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit and renovation and preservation efforts are supported through donations, gifts, grants, and bequests.  The theater also rents costumes to those who need them for a minimal fee. Every cent that is earned is put back into the theater.  Recently the seating has been replaced along with the roof. It only houses live performances now, hosting five-six per year.

The Apollo was built in 1913, by Mr. H.P. Thorn and was later acknowledged by “The National Register of Historic Places” in 1979. The building itself seats more than 500 people and is 3 stories high, with a full basement for storage. The first floor was where silent black and white movies were played, accompanied by organ music. The second floor was called the Roseland Ballroom and was used for dancing and parties. Thornwood Hall, on the third floor, was designed for community entertainment.

Mr. Thorn wanted his theater to appeal to all audiences and he designed the Apollo after the Knickerbocker Theater in Washington, as stated by authors Rebecca Hutchcraft and Sabrina Burgos.

I had never been into the Apollo before that morning, and after reading the intent of Mr. Thorn in documents provided to me by Mr. Wood, I just had to see it. As I made my way up the staircase to the second floor it was the colors my eyes caught first.  Apparently, the original paint in the theater was very dark and later two men had hand painted all the intricate tin panels in feather light gold and light Robin’s egg blue. The antique lighting was amazing and looked much like an upside down umbrella. I imagine many live dancers used umbrellas in plays thus illuminating the decor. The lights themselves looked as brittle as newspaper and as delicate as butterfly wings.

During my tour, I visited the massive Roseland Ballroom and Thornwood Hall. The costume room was my favorite and I admired the hats and patent leather shoes.

I also learned the history of the, “Ghost Light.” The ghost light is the single light that always hangs or stands at the center stage. The light remains whether there is a performance or not.  After researching the light, I found that it is hung out of superstition. The light is to be left on for actors in the afterlife, so that they may still perform. The ghost light can be traced back to Europe, where some say that it is also to scare off the ghosts of old performers.

The Apollo is rumored to have a few ghosts of its own, one is a girl in a long white gown and the other is a man named George. George apparently worked for the theater some years back. He worked the rigging on the catwalk, when at some point tripped and fell to his death on the stage floor. It is said that many have seen George in his bib overalls and flannel shirt. Others have claimed to have smelled his cigar smoke.  Perhaps this explains the authenticity and success of the Apollo’s Haunted Theatre, held near Halloween.

In Theatre, there is always a Green Room, and I found that the phrase itself has been used since William Shakespeare’s time when actors performed outside and waited on the grass – the Green Room – before going on stage.  In modern theatre, the purpose of the Green Room is to have a place where performers can go to relax before and after a performance. The color green is used because it is a soothing color. Some theater walls were once covered with a green baize cloth, which sound proofed the walls.

I discovered the importance of live theater not just for the Apollo but for the community. The Apollo has had its share of live entertainment and has housed Will Rogers, Tex Ritter, as well as the Great Rubinoff.  People have come from as far away as NY to see the West Virginia Orchestra or live ballet. The Apollo has even housed country musicians, such as Garth Brooks before he released his best selling album. It seems as though the theaters of the early 20^th century have all but vanished leaving in its footpath the rise of Dolby digital & surround sound. The Apollo, out of the original five theatres, was the most unique only because it wasn’t just a movie theater, but was also more of a community center with live entertainment and a social hall.

I was quite taken with its history and the fact that it has survived the Depression, two World Wars, and the rise and fall of the economy.  It would only take one amazing performance to put Martinsburg on the map. Perhaps another performance of Belle Boyd, our own local Civil War heroin and stage actress could do it.  In a book called, ”Who Was Who in the Civil War,” by Stewart Sifakas, Belle Boyd was mentioned for her service to the Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley.  Belle was born in Martinsburg, and she operated her spying operations from her father’s hotel in Front Royal, VA, which is described in Washington D.C.’s International Spy Museum.  The Apollo produced an original musical production about Belle Boyd several years ago.

Don Woods has a longtime love of history and especially Belle Boyd and the Belle Boyd House that he helps to maintain. In touring the Belle Boyd house, Mr. Wood told stories of Belle’s life and it was quite eventful as well as comical at times.  There was one story Mr. Wood told of Belle having been kicked out of school and she had been sent home permanently, along with her desk.  There was another story of how her father had told her she couldn’t attend a party he was hosting with some Confederate soldiers.  Belle was angry and rode her horse up the porch steps, right into the dining room.  She had two marriages, the second being with a Northerner whom she convinced to leave the Yankees and join the Confederacy, which was not allowed. She was brave as well as witty and I feel that Belle’s story would be quite entertaining and it may be just what this area needs.  The Apollo has considered plans to re-tell Belle’s story in an encore performance at the Theatre.

For more information on how you can join Friends of the Apollo, become a member, rent the auditorium, or learn about performances and events, please contact Marketing and Fundraising Chairman Katherine Walsh Ryan at 304-263-6766 or check out www.apollo-theatre.org. If you have interesting stories about artistic history in the area please contact us at The Main Artery 304-283-1902, or submit a story idea at ww.TheMainArtery.com. We would love to hear from you!