This building, designed in a late Renaissance style based broadly upon the Doric order, was erected in 1891 under the direction of GW Smith, a prominent Port Elizabeth architect, and was built by the firm of Small & Morgan. It was opened on 1 December 1892 by the Mayor, Mr J McIlraith. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 4 January 1980. The Port Elizabeth Opera House and Barn Theatre are located halfway down Whites Road. The Port Elizabeth Opera House and Barn Theatre is the main venue for dramatic productions and shows in the Eastern Cape and is the only surviving example of a Victorian Theatre in Africa. The Opera House is the oldest theatre on the continent of Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. This special piece of World History is right here in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province.Built in 1892, it preceded the railway line by two years. It took 16 more years before artificial lighting - in the form of Gas - came to The Opera House. The building was run candles and limelight during this period. When the theatre opened it was recognized as “The finest theatre in all the World” according to press reports. This is testament to the fact that we can still use the building today. In fact we are not only the oldest theatre in Africa, but also the only Victorian Theatre left on the continent. This means that architecture, if it disappears, will be lost to the children of Africa forever. This very special place - the home of John Kani, Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona, Nomsa Nkonyeni, Thoko Ntshinga, and Elizabeth Connell (international soprano), and many, many other famous people. In terms of history, culture and the contribution to the Arts during the struggle, no other theatre can claim the role that The Opera House has played. 

Another interesting fact about the history is that The Opera House is built on the site of an old gallows. It is speculated that public hangings took place on this ground before the theatre was erected. The building has a long and colourful history in terms of sightings of ghosts. Generally no one wishes to be the last person to leave at night. 
There are two theatres in the building, The Main Stage which was built for ballet, opera and musicals and The Barn Theatre which is home to the new PE Opera House programmes launched in 2016: Jazz'Afro Sundays; Dance Seasons & Drama Seasons. The Barn Theatre capacity is 80 for caberet style seating and 120 Theatre style.
Geolocation
-33° 34' 12", 25° 22' 12"