Thalian Hall brings historic moving panorama back to Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thalian Hall is bringing a piece of 19th-century entertainment back to Wilmington with a moving panorama depicting a journey down the Mississippi River.

The more than 100-foot-long painted scroll was revealed on both Saturday and Friday, marking the return of the art form to the theater for the first time since the 19th century.

Before motion pictures, panoramas entertained audiences with large paintings that slowly moved across a stage, revealing landscapes and historical scenes.

Shane Fernando, CEO of Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, said the panorama offers a new way to educate the community about the theater’s history.

“This is an incredible tool to be able to help educate our community and where we came from as a community and how this theater was used, how people were entertained,” Fernando said.

The panorama was donated and restored by theater history expert Dr. Wendy Waszut-Barrett. The unveiling also featured the premiere of Alluvial River, an original musical composition by Wilmington musician Justin Lacy.