People’s park with theatre and dance pavillion

People’s parks were established in the late 1800s. Their purpose was to provide alternative entertainment and recreation for the working class to city beer halls. People’s parks were an attempt to uplift the public through cultural events and appropriate entertainment.

The first people’s park buildings were fairly simple. Over time, dance pavillions, theatres and cafes were added. People’s parks were often situated in attractive surroundings or beautified with gardens and trees.

People’s parks theatres

At people’s parks, visitors could see theatrical performances, slapstick comedy, variety shows, singing revues and other musical performances. The Museum’s theatre comes from Tillberga people’s park just outside Västerås. It was built in 1926. Many people in Tillberga wanted to help build it, and it was completed in less than two months. The building has a dome roof, which is typical of people’s park theatres.

The theatre in Tillberga people’s park was inaugurated on 22 June 1926. An operetta company performed a musical comedy. Between acts, people could buy snacks and dance. During its first summer, 1000 people attended theatrical and musical performances at the theatre.

Entrance

It was important that people’s parks had stately entrances. They symbolised the growing self-confidence of the working class. The entrance gates to the people’s park at the Museum also come from Tillberga people’s park.

Dance pavillion

The dance pavillion is a newly built replica of the one that was in Tillberga Folkets Park.