Page 44 | THE LAKER June 27, 2022
Yester year By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper Until recently, old theatres were fading from the American landscape. The entertainment venues lived on mostly in the memories of older people who attended silent movies, plays and early talking films in the ornate theatre halls. In the Lakes Region such buildings as Franklin’s Opera House and Lakeport Opera House and Colonial Theatre in Laconia have been revitalized and offer programs and concerts throughout the year. (The Lakes Region was not the only part of New Hampshire to offer Opera Houses, and there were venues all over the state, from the northern regions to southern parts of the state.) Those who travel through Lakeport Square may not know a gem of a theatre started as a vital part of the community. A large building in Lakeport Square has been transformed and now houses offices and a restaurant, and the second floor is the Lakeport Opera House. It recently underwent a renovation project and is now a popular concert venue. Historically, the Lakeport Opera House was the place to go for entertainment. It was constructed in the 1880s, and locals performed in plays and concerts there. Silent movies were also a
The former Moulton’s Opera House, Laconia.
wonderful entertainment at one time and families attended shows there. The theatre had a balcony with gold painted woodwork, and an intimate stage. Saturday afternoons saw many Lakeport area children attending the theatre to see the latest movies; ice cream was available from a vendor on
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the street. Another local theatre that played a big part in the area was Moulton’s Opera House. The theatre was located on the second and third floors of the O’Shea family’s department store building in downtown Laconia. The theatre was dedicated by its builder, John C. Moulton in 1887, with the opening night of “Rene, the Huguenot Captain” starring a Mrs. Barry and Mr. Redmund of the Redmund Barry Company.
The house was busy that night, (its capacity was 600 seats) with the locals doing it up in style. A local newspaper reported that the house was filled with “gaily attired ladies and gentlemen in full formal dress.” The following night the theatre was again full for the performance of “Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady” with the same theatre troupe. These shows weren’t high society • Yesteryear continued on page 46
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