History of Barksdale Theatre

On August 1, 1953, six actors from New York bought Hanover Tavern. They founded Barksdale Theatre, the nation’s first dinner theater, which they named after a deceased college friend. They raised their families upstairs, performed downstairs, and served hearty meals in the historic rooms that fell between.
During the first six years, Pete and Nancy Kilgore along with Muriel McAuley produced greater Richmond’s first professional productions of plays by the likes of Tennessee Williams, George Bernard Shaw, and Thornton Wilder.

In defiance of Jim Crow laws, Barksdale was Virginia’s first performing arts organization to open its doors to integrated audiences. Later, in 1973, Barksdale produced Virginia’s first professional play based on the African American experience, Lorraine Hansberry’s “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”.

In 1990, Barksdale Theatre sold the building to Hanover Tavern Foundation. Once the restoration of the Tavern was completed by the Foundation, Barksdale was invited to return to its original home.

Barksdale’s lively plays brought life to the Tavern, invigorated the community and the memories of those wonderful times live in the hearts and minds of those folks who were part of a great and unique history.

Barksdale Theatre, now Virginia Repertory Theatre, offers a varied selection of plays each year at the restored Tavern.

Click Here for information on the current or upcoming theater performance.