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IF YOU LIKE US, TALK ABOUT US The Life and Times of Robert H. Porterfield, the Founder of Virginia's World-Famous Barter Theatre
978-0-9789142-0-2
203 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 28, 2025
This was a special read for me, as I will detail below, but it was also a very well written and engaging biography. I'm from Abingdon, Virginia and the Barter Theatre has always been a big part of my life. I've seen countless plays at the theatre over the years and it's one of those things that you don't really appreciate until you realize that no one else has it.
The Barter Theatre was founded in 1933 by Robert "Bob" Porterfield. Porterfield, a native to the area, had been a broadway actor in New York for many years but the Depression put him out of work. He, along with a troupe of actors and actresses, came to Abingdon to form a theatre. Since money was almost worthless at the time, people bartered their entry by trading livestock and produce for tickets. A group of New York actors in a genteel, southern town was an interesting sight to behold, but times were hard.
The theatre eventually became a mainstay for the town and was named State Theatre of Virginia. It is one of the oldest and only still active repertory theaters in America. Many famous actors and actresses have started their careers at Barter, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Wayne Knight. It was also interesting to find out that many of the Barter's furnishings came from the Empire Theatre in New York City. Porterfield was able to salvage and move much of its interior before it was unjustly demolished.
This book was a biography, so of course a lot of it was about Porterfield himself who was by all accounts a likable and good person. He passed away, somewhat young, in 1971 and I'm sure would be proud to know that his theatre still carries on to this day, stronger than ever.
The Barter Theatre was founded in 1933 by Robert "Bob" Porterfield. Porterfield, a native to the area, had been a broadway actor in New York for many years but the Depression put him out of work. He, along with a troupe of actors and actresses, came to Abingdon to form a theatre. Since money was almost worthless at the time, people bartered their entry by trading livestock and produce for tickets. A group of New York actors in a genteel, southern town was an interesting sight to behold, but times were hard.
The theatre eventually became a mainstay for the town and was named State Theatre of Virginia. It is one of the oldest and only still active repertory theaters in America. Many famous actors and actresses have started their careers at Barter, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Wayne Knight. It was also interesting to find out that many of the Barter's furnishings came from the Empire Theatre in New York City. Porterfield was able to salvage and move much of its interior before it was unjustly demolished.
This book was a biography, so of course a lot of it was about Porterfield himself who was by all accounts a likable and good person. He passed away, somewhat young, in 1971 and I'm sure would be proud to know that his theatre still carries on to this day, stronger than ever.
December 28, 2025
This was a great read that covered many aspects of Robert Porterfield and his life. I have attended quite a few plays at the Barter, yet learned a lot about both the theatre and Mr. Porterfield, that was quite interesting.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in his life, performing arts, Abingdon, and Southwest Virginia history and culture.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in his life, performing arts, Abingdon, and Southwest Virginia history and culture.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews