The Rex Theater (French: Rex Théâtre) is a theater in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, that was opened in October, 1935.[1][2] It was built by the Société Haïtienne des Spectacles (Haitian Entertainment Corporation), led by Daniel Brun.[2]: 77 The theater seated 1200 people and was managed by Mrs. Muffat Taldy until 1951.[2]: 77, 413
On various occasions events at the Rex have had a political focus or political implications. For example, on 20 December 1945, as the first of a planned series of twelve lectures, the poet André Breton spoke at the Rex on "Surréalisme".[3]: 119 Upon completing his lecture, which was attended by six hundred students as well as the president of Haiti and many of his ministers, senators and deputies, and some military dignitaries and business people,[3]: 373
legend has it that Breton did not shake President Lescot's hand upon leaving the Rex Theater... If true, President Lescot would have taken the gesture as a public affront, and those in attendance would have read it as an act of solidarity to their cause.... the publication of the speech in La Ruche led to the Haitian government's seizure of the magazine and the imprisonment of certain of its editors, including Depestre, in turn provoking a student demonstration that led to the fall of President Lescot.[3]: 119–120
Many years later, in 2001, the Rex was the planned site of an opposition political event.[4] The Rex Theater had been the initially planned site for the "inauguration" of Gérard Gourgue as an "alternative president".[4]: 121 However, "the theater's management, fearful of popular outrage, canceled the event".[4]: 121
Referencesedit
^Antonin, Arnold (2008). "Cinema in Haiti". Small Axe. Duke University Press. 12 (3_27): 87–93. doi:10.1215/-12-3_27-87. S2CID 146155817.
^ abcdeCham, Mbye B. (1992). Ex-iles essays on Caribbean cinema. Trenton, N. J.: Africa World. ISBN9780865432758.
^ abcBenedicty-Kokken, M. D. (2014). Spirit Possession in French, Haitian, and Vodou Thought: An Intellectual History. Lexington Books. ISBN9780739184660.
^ abcSprague, Jeb (2012). Paramilitarism and the assault on democracy in Haiti. New York: Monthly Review Press. ISBN9781583673003.
External linksedit
"Rex Théatre, un patrimoine à sauvegarder" (Youtube) ("Rex Théatre, a heritage to be preserved")
Rex Theater at Cinema Treasures
This article about a specific theatre building is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
theater, haiti, theater, french, théâtre, theater, port, prince, haiti, that, opened, october, 1935, built, société, haïtienne, spectacles, haitian, entertainment, corporation, daniel, brun, theater, seated, 1200, people, managed, muffat, taldy, until, 1951, t. The Rex Theater French Rex Theatre is a theater in Port au Prince Haiti that was opened in October 1935 1 2 It was built by the Societe Haitienne des Spectacles Haitian Entertainment Corporation led by Daniel Brun 2 77 The theater seated 1200 people and was managed by Mrs Muffat Taldy until 1951 2 77 413 Rex TheaterGeneral informationTown or cityPort au PrinceCountryHaitiCoordinates18 32 20 N 72 20 06 W 18 539 N 72 335 W 18 539 72 335Completed1935 Contents 1 Cultural events 2 Political events 3 References 4 External linksCultural events editThe Rex has been the site of many cultural and entertainment events In its first week the Rex Theater screened films that included La Bataille The Battle La Robe Rouge The Red Dress Gai Divorce The Gay Divorcee and Banque Nemo Nemo s Bank and its first play was performed in April 1937 2 77 A performance at the Rex was given by Marian Anderson 2 77 Political events editOn various occasions events at the Rex have had a political focus or political implications For example on 20 December 1945 as the first of a planned series of twelve lectures the poet Andre Breton spoke at the Rex on Surrealisme 3 119 Upon completing his lecture which was attended by six hundred students as well as the president of Haiti and many of his ministers senators and deputies and some military dignitaries and business people 3 373 legend has it that Breton did not shake President Lescot s hand upon leaving the Rex Theater If true President Lescot would have taken the gesture as a public affront and those in attendance would have read it as an act of solidarity to their cause the publication of the speech in La Ruche led to the Haitian government s seizure of the magazine and the imprisonment of certain of its editors including Depestre in turn provoking a student demonstration that led to the fall of President Lescot 3 119 120 Many years later in 2001 the Rex was the planned site of an opposition political event 4 The Rex Theater had been the initially planned site for the inauguration of Gerard Gourgue as an alternative president 4 121 However the theater s management fearful of popular outrage canceled the event 4 121 References edit Antonin Arnold 2008 Cinema in Haiti Small Axe Duke University Press 12 3 27 87 93 doi 10 1215 12 3 27 87 S2CID 146155817 a b c d e Cham Mbye B 1992 Ex iles essays on Caribbean cinema Trenton N J Africa World ISBN 9780865432758 a b c Benedicty Kokken M D 2014 Spirit Possession in French Haitian and Vodou Thought An Intellectual History Lexington Books ISBN 9780739184660 a b c Sprague Jeb 2012 Paramilitarism and the assault on democracy in Haiti New York Monthly Review Press ISBN 9781583673003 External links edit Rex Theatre un patrimoine a sauvegarder Youtube Rex Theatre a heritage to be preserved Rex Theater at Cinema Treasures nbsp This article about a specific theatre building is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rex Theater Haiti amp oldid 1020653817, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
