Victory Theatre’s underworld interest
JOBURG - Houghton residents have raised concern about The Victory Theatre which is set to go on auction later this month and the interest shown by the sex industry in the building.
The theatre, which was built in the early 19th Century, was originally known as Grove Kinema. It was later re-named The Victory Theatre in honour of the Allied victory in World War II.
A leading bank has liquidated the theatre and it will go under the hammer later this month. Resident Arnold Levy described the theatre as an asset to the city. “It was redeveloped and is a treasured theatre, the oldest of its kind in Johannesburg,” he said.
Levy added that it was a disgrace that a “huge financial institution tramples on our national monuments and cultural heritage”.
It has emerged that interest to secure the theatre has come predominantly from the sex industry. “It would be a disaster if this theatre now falls into the hands of the underworld,” said Levy.
Owner of the building, Joe Theron, confirmed the suspicions. “No one has shown interest in the building but the sex industry,” he told North Eastern Tribune. This opens room for the possibility of a strip club or brothel replacing the theatre.
Theron said they had tried to put up a fight to keep the theatre open. “The saddest part is that the oldest theatre in Johannesburg is closing down,” he said.
