Bennettsville in Marlboro County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Playhouse Theatre

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

1. Playhouse Theatre Marker, Side One

Inscription. Built in 1917 as an opera house and theatre, “The Playhouse” was considered among the finest theatres in the Pee Dee. It hosted traveling Broadway productions, musical theatre, and vaudeville shows on the New York to Miami circuit. Seating capacity was 1,000 on two levels, including a balcony. The theatre also featured a large stage and orchestra pit, as well as a full time orchestra, that all served to attract shows to the venue.

By the 1930s motion pictures had eclipsed live theatre as popular entertainment and the Playhouse was converted to a movie theatre. It continued as the Carolina Theatre or Cinema until the 1980s. In 1987, Carmike Cinemas donated this building to the Marlboro Area Arts Council. In 1995, the newly renovated theatre reopened as a performing arts center, now known as the Marlboro Civic Center. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Erected 2018 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by the Marlboro Civic Center Foundation. (Marker Number 35-42.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 34° 37.074′ N, 79° 40.973′ W. Marker is in Bennettsville

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, South Carolina, in Marlboro County. It is on Clyde Street south of East Market Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Clyde St, Bennettsville SC 29512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marlboro Civic Center (here, next to this marker); Confederate Civil War Monument (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); General John McQueen (about 500 feet away); Bennettsville (about 600 feet away); Jennings-Brown House (about 600 feet away); Workers Enterprise Bank (about 700 feet away); Old Female Academy (about 700 feet away); Marlborough County Court House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bennettsville.

Playhouse Theatre Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

2. Playhouse Theatre Marker, Side Two

Playhouse Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

3. Playhouse Theatre Marker

The Former Playhouse Theatre, Bennetsville SC image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

4. The Former Playhouse Theatre, Bennetsville SC

It is now the Marlboro Civic Center. This marker is in profile in the lawn on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.