A History of Some Australian Theatres

By Leann Richards

Australia was once home to some beautiful theatres, Her Majesty's in Sydney and the Tivoli in Melbourne being two of them. The performers and performances of a golden age are outlined here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leann Richards
• Release date: Dec 12, 2010
• ISBN: 9781458029027

Leann Richards

I am a juggler, a writer, a pretend magician, an historian and a teacher. I've published some books on Australian theatrical history through Ginninderra Books in Australia, and have just finished another on Australian juggling history which will be published in early 2022. Between juggling, researching history and teaching I like to write fairy tales. I live with my imagination in Sydney Australia.

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A History of Some Australian Theatres

By Leann Richards

Copyright Leann Richards 2010

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Australia was once the home of beautiful theatres which housed sumptuous productions of musicals pantomimes and comedies. Amongst those theatres were Her Majesty’s, The Royal and the Tivoli in Sydney, and the Tivoli in Melbourne.

Her Majesty’s Theatre Sydney

In December 1884, Sydney Mayor Playfair, laid the foundation stone for a new theatre. It took almost three years for the theatre to be completed. On September 10th 1887 it was opened as Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney.

Located on the north eastern corner of Pitt and Market Streets Sydney, the theatre was a grand edifice that welcomed Sydneysiders for a period of eighty years. It was located where Centrepoint stands today.

The original building was designed by Morell and Kemp and included a large seven storey hotel complex. The theatre had three tiers, dress circle, family circle and gallery or gods. It had a capacity of 2000 people. The interior was decorated in ivory, gold and primrose tints. A large electric chandelier and grand marble staircase dominated the inside of the building.

The opening night was a stellar occasion. The Governor, Lord Carrington, and his wife arrived in a large well-equipped carriage with a military escort. Sydney’s most respectable citizens joined others, of less respectability to view the show.

The opening play was Henry V. George Rignold, the lessee and lead player was