
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Singapore
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is a complex comprising two buildings and a clock tower interconnected by a shared corridor. It is situated in the civic district of Singapore. On February 6, 1919, which marked the 100th anniversary of Singapore's establishment, a statue of Stamford Raffles, sculpted by T. Woolner, was relocated from the Padang to the front of the memorial hall. This statue was enhanced with a new semicircular colonnade and a pool.
Prior to World War II, the memorial hall was repurposed as a hospital to care for the victims of Japanese bombing raids during the Battle of Singapore, which ultimately led to the Japanese occupation of the colony. While the buildings themselves largely escaped significant physical damage during the occupation, the colonnade was destroyed, and Raffles's statue was relocated to the National Museum. Following liberation, the hall was also utilized as the venue for Japanese war crime trials.
In 1954, Swan & Maclaren carried out renovations on the memorial hall. On November 21st of the same year, it served as the location where the People's Action Party was founded. The town hall's interior was reconfigured to allow for the installation of air conditioning and soundproofing, eventually leading to its conversion into the Victoria Theatre. In 1979, the memorial hall underwent another renovation to house the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), leading to its renaming as the Victoria Concert Hall.
Prior to World War II, the memorial hall was repurposed as a hospital to care for the victims of Japanese bombing raids during the Battle of Singapore, which ultimately led to the Japanese occupation of the colony. While the buildings themselves largely escaped significant physical damage during the occupation, the colonnade was destroyed, and Raffles's statue was relocated to the National Museum. Following liberation, the hall was also utilized as the venue for Japanese war crime trials.
In 1954, Swan & Maclaren carried out renovations on the memorial hall. On November 21st of the same year, it served as the location where the People's Action Party was founded. The town hall's interior was reconfigured to allow for the installation of air conditioning and soundproofing, eventually leading to its conversion into the Victoria Theatre. In 1979, the memorial hall underwent another renovation to house the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), leading to its renaming as the Victoria Concert Hall.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Singapore. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall on Map
Sight Name: Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
Sight Location: Singapore, Singapore (See walking tours in Singapore)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Singapore, Singapore (See walking tours in Singapore)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Singapore, Singapore
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