101015 And sensibly, they decided, in the name of continuity, to keep the same architectural style as the earlier municipal building.
101016 The new building was christened Victoria Memorial Hall upon completion in 1905, and almost immediately, the Town Hall underwent renovations to turn it into a theatre, with the space between the buildings earmarked for a splendid clock tower.
101017 The makeover project (to turn the complex into three different parts) was completed in 1909 when Victoria Theatre officially opened.
101018 In the period before World War II, the Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall staged many concerts, musicals and plays, including a performance by Noel Coward in 1930.
101019 It was lucky to have survived intact during the Japanese air raids, and during the Japanese Occupation its strategic location in the city saw it being used as a hospital.
101020 During peaceful times, it was also the scene of political milestones, chief among them the launch of the ruling People’s Action Party in 1954.
101021 And then in 1962, the original bronze statue of Singapore’s founder Stamford Raffles, which had been standing at the nearby Padang for years, was moved to the front of the building.
101022 When the Singapore Symphony Orchestra moved in 1979, the complex was renamed Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
101023 To preserve the grandeur and allure of the old dame, it will close later this year for an extensive two-and-half year renovation, before reopening in 2013.
101024 So on your visit to Singapore, don’t miss your final chance to capture a slice of its old glory.
101025 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
101026 Exhilarating excitement
101027 Fast and furious action will surround the pinnacle event of Grand Prix Season Singapore from 24 to 26 September as the much anticipated 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX enthrals spectators with the world’s only FORMULA ONE night race.
101028 Ticket prices are in the range of S$188 to S$3745, so race to get your tickets now to avoid any disappointment.
101029 How about adding that to thrilling action from a stellar line-up of artistes around the circuit park?