A visit to Abingdon VA and the "Barter" Theatre

 

While visiting my brother in Blountville, Tennessee, we drove to Abingdon, VA to see a matinee play "Southern Fried Funeral" at the Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia.  It was a hilarious play with some great lines. The theatre was packed not an empty seat in the house.  At least five buses from area churches and a bus from Raleigh NC.

The play is about death, casseroles and family feuds.  If you get a chance to see this play...do as it really makes you laugh.

 

The Barter Theatre is celebrataing their 80th season!  I found the history of this theatre interesting. Why the name Barter?

An enterprising young actor named Robert Porterfiled founded Barter Theatre during the height of the Great Depression.  Born in southwest Virginia, he ws living in New York City and, like many  of his fellow actors, was out of work and going hungry.  While traveling through the South, he realized that rural Southerners had an abundance of food, but no access to live theatre.  He returned to Washington County with an extraordinary proposition for the local residents; barter food for your theatre ticket.

The Barter theatre opened its doors on June 10, 1933, proclaiming "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh."  The price of admission was 40 cents or the equivalent in produce, meat or live animals.  The concept of trading "ham for Hamlet" caught on quickly.  At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleard $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly and enjoyed a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds.

Barter soon became a world-famous theatre. Famous alumni include Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine just to name a few.  Playwrights including Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder accepted Virginia ham as payment for royalties.  Although George Bernard Shaw, a vegetarian, requested spinach instead.

At least one performance a year celebrates the Barter heritage by accepting donations for an area food bank as the price of admission.

Check out the Barter website for performances for the Southern Fried Funeral which runs until August 10, 2013.  Laugh-out-loud funny, this big-hearted comedy offers an affectionate look at Southern family, manners and traditions.

 

Across the street from the Barter Theatre is the Martha Washington Hotel and Spa located in Abingdon's historic district. 

Abingdon, Virginia is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Highlands, and is home of historical attractions, many musical events and more!  Featuring fine dining, lodging and friendly folk!

For a fun weekend, check out the Barter Theatre and Abingdon, VA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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