Brisbane Theatre History - Queensland theatre History focussed on Brisbane live entertainment venues

BRISBANE THEATRE HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

Contents

Australian theatre history has tended to focus on theatrical endeavors of Sydney and Melbourne to the detriment of other regions within the nation. Theatre practitioners have been struggling in Brisbane against the popular image of Brisbane as a cultural backwater since it began to develop its earliest theatre. The significance of Brisbane as a site of theatrical activity has been undervalued. I aim to create a curated and fuller picture of its significance. A perpetual work in progress…

BEFORE WORLD WAR I

Since colonial times, Queensland cultural facilities, venues and events have benefited from state and local government support. The first buildings for performance were erected in Brisbane, Queensland’s capital, the 3rd most populous city in Australia well before World War I.

Popular city nicknames include “Brissie“, “Brisvegas“, “River City” & “Queen City“.

The oldest archeological site in the Brisbane region comes from Wallen Wallen Creek on North Stradbroke Island 21,400 years ago, however, settlement would likely occurred well prior to this date. The region was occupied by Aboriginal tribes, notably clans of the Yugara, Turrbal and Quandamooka peoples. The Turrbal word for the Brisbane area is Meeanjin (meaning “place shaped as a spike“).

Brisbane’s colonial history dates from 1799, when Matthew Flinders explored Moreton Bay on an expedition. The town was conceived initially as a penal colony for British convicts sent from Sydney, however, it became a free settlement in 1838 when Chief Justice Forbes gave it the name of Edenglassie. The town was re-named after the Brisbane River, which honored Sir Thomas Brisbane (a British Army officer and astronomer who was then Governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825) and remained part of the Colony of New South Wales until 1859 when Queensland separated. Over 20 municipalities and shires were amalgamated in 1924 to form the City of Brisbane.

George Croft Circus by Susan McConnelIt is believed that the first entertainer to work in Brisbane was ex-convict George Croft, a pastry-cook and theatre performer from Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre in London who was sentenced to 7 years for theft (of a portable desk) and shipped to Australia in February 1827.  Having served his time, he then worked with the Victoria Theatre in Sydney, in 1847, he arrived in Brisbane only 5 years after the Moreton Bay colony was opened to free settlers. Croft built and performed the 1st live entertainment space Croft Amphitheatre in Russell St, South Brisbane (today ‘George Croft Lane‘ links Cordelia St & Merivale St). The performance was always the same. According to a Moreton Bay Courier ad on April 26, 1847, Croft commenced with a summersault 12 ft high through a fire balloon; danced a sailor’s hornpipe while balancing on his head on a candlestick, and walked up a perpendicular ladder, 10 ft high, and placed himself on his head, when the ladder falls into a complete cataract, leaving Croft on his head on one pole singing an obscene song, surrounded by fireworks. When it became known that nearby seamen and squatters were allowed in – patronage waned and the Croft Amphitheatre was closed.

The early colonial performers found that it was more economic to change audience than program and to change audience, they had to tour. In June 1855, La Rosiere’s licensed Traveling Circus travelled overland from New England to reach Moreton Bay. In December 1855, Adams & Melville’s National Circus & Hippodrome arrived by sea from Sydney.

Until the 1860s, concerts, theatrical performances, ballet and opera in Brisbane were staged principally in the School of Arts building in 1849/1851.  The first purpose-built venue was the Masons Concert Hall/Victoria Theatre on Elizabeth Street, which opened in 1865. The theatre was successful and was entirely rebuilt in 1881 to increase the seating capacity to 1,350 and renamed the Theatre Royal. Also in 1881, the old School of Arts was remodeled and renamed Gaiety Hall.

The discovery of gold led to a boom which saw the population of Brisbane double to approximately 100,000 by 1880. People demanded entertainment. There were a number of local authors who wrote and staged their own productions, and there was a great deal of interest in all of the arts at the time. Of overwhelming concern to theatre-goers, was to make sure that they could reach their homes after a performance. The availability of good public transport was needed. In 1881 the Theatre Royal advertised that omnibuses leave the theatre for all the suburbs immediately after the performance.

Her Majestys TheatreThe most significant advancement came with the construction in 1888 of Her Imperial Majesty’s Opera House (later known as Her (or His) Majesty’s Theatre). The theatre was lit with electricity and seated 2,700 people. Her Majesty’s Theatre became the principal venue for major performances in Brisbane for opera, musicals and ballet for almost a century.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer J.C. Williamson Her Majestys TheatreAustralia’s longest-running theatrical organization J. C. Williamson’s Ltd which began in 1882 through the triumvirate James Cassius Williamson, George Musgrove, and Arthur Garner became a Limited Company in 1910, when Williamson merged his interests with those of Rupert Clarke and Clyde Meynell. By 1913, the year that Williamson died, he and his partners had built “the Firm” into Australia’s premiere theatrical production company. J. C. Williamson’s Ltd held the lease on Her Majesty’s Theatre for more than 80 years bringing some of the greatest international and Australian entertainment and was instrumental in the development of live performance in Brisbane.

Other buildings erected or adapted for performance spaces in the late 19th century and early 20th century included Albert Hall (1881 and 1901), Centennial Hall (1888), Princess Theatre (1888), Empire Theatre (1911), Bohemia Theatre (1912) and Tivoli Theatre (1914). Occasional tent-based theatre companies toured to Brisbane. Philip Lytton’s Dramatic Company set up Lytton’s Canvas Touring Theatre in 1914 opposite the Theatre Royal on Elizabeth Street with a seating capacity of 2,500.

Prior to World War I, Brisbane was a city supporting its own vibrant theatre culture. It was the home of several permanent resident companies including the King’s Royal Dramatic Company, the Record Breakers, Edward Branscombe’s the Dandies, and Ted Holland’s Vaudeville Entertainers. Performances by touring companies still received major attention.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Ted HollandIn 1905, Ted Holland decided that Brisbane could sustain a permanent vaudeville house when he acquired an extended lease on the Theatre Royal and set about providing a weekly change program of vaudeville for more than 6 years before making the decision that Ted Holland’s Vaudeville Entertainers needed a theatre with better facilities and a larger auditorium to accommodate his increasing audiences. The result was the opening of the Empire Theatre on Albert Street in 1911.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Edward BranscombeIn 1909 English-born singer, composer, music director, businessman Edward Branscombe began establishing a circuit of open-air theatres around Australia including the Cremorne Theatre on the South Bank of the river near the Victoria Bridge, on the corner of Melbourne Street and Stanley Quay in August 1911.  The Cremorne Theatre was an open-air venue and had a seating capacity of 1,800. This was used initially by Branscombe’s elegantly costumed Dandies companies.

Ted Holland and Percy St. John who were behind Ted Holland’s Vaudeville Entertainers, brought a continuous stream of variety programs to Brisbane throughout the opening decades of the twentieth century. Ted Holland’s first appearance in Brisbane was in 1883 when he performed with the Doyle and Lawton Vaudeville Company at the original Albert Hall. When he started managing his own company in 1899, Ted Holland put Brisbane on his touring itinerary.

FROM WORLD WAR I THRU WORLD WAR II

Legitimate theatre during World War I was primarily found on the stages of the Theatre Royal and J. C. Williamson’s His Majesty’s Theatre, while vaudeville and variety programs appeared at the Palace Gardens, the Cremorne Theatre, and at the Tivoli Theatre, the only theatre constructed during the period. Centennial Hall and Albert Hall were typically used by amateur performers for concerts and play productions and usually for patriotic purposes.

Theatre RoyalAs the longest serving resident company in Brisbane, King’s Royal Dramatic Company, headed by Charles E. King, using the Theatre Royal as its base, offered an exclusively melodramatic focus at a time when variety was dominating, and which was given a new lease of life with the outbreak of the war. The King’s Royal Dramatic Company donated its Theatre Royal’s profits over to the Repatriation Fund which partially resulted in closure of the company at the end of 1916.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer John McCallumJohn Neil Clark McCallum was the first manager of the very popular Cremorne Theatre, which he later purchased from the original owner, Edward Branscombe on May 27, 1916, and under his ownership it became a Brisbane landmark for almost 40 years. His son John Neil McCallum Jr., was an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter who achieved international recognition. John Neil Clark McCallum operated the Cremorne Theatre until it burned down in 1954.

Patriotism, romanticism, and escapism were the defining features of live performance in Brisbane during World War I. Wounded returned soldiers were presented on the stage with their physical injuries displayed as marks of heroism. In Brisbane, injured bodies held pride of place in civic processions, were welcomed at reduced prices into the theatres, and appeared on stage to raise funds for patriotic causes or recruiting campaigns. The visual impact of the maimed soldiers’ bodies was profound and served as a theatrical costume making the performer as ‘heroic’.

From 1917 to 1919 John Neil Clark McCallum engaged variety companies to play up to 9 months without a break. By 1919 major alterations such as a roof, extended backstage areas and increased seating capacity to 3,000 enabled the production of large-scale spectaculars and operas at the Cremorne Theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Barbara SisleyDuring the final years of World War I a British speech and drama teacher, Barbara Sisley, formed the Barbara Sisley Players to give her students opportunities to perform at the Exhibition Building on Gregory Terrace, benefiting charity. Barbara Sisley had performed regularly at the Theatre Royal prior to World War I and was instrumental in the formation of the Brisbane Shakespeare Society in 1920 where she directed AS YOU LIKE IT with Rhoda Felgate as Rosalind.

The 1920’s were a boom period for the cinema industry, with many cinemas being constructed. Visiting simple, less glamorous, cinema buildings in the suburbs was a commonplace event, yet the grander picture palaces in the downtown became a special event.  Yet all cinemas generally continued the practice of inclusion of variety, vaudeville or live music accompanying the film programming. The theatricality of both theatre and cinema as forms of performance blended into each other, blurring the boundaries and consequently making the performance characteristics of the two art-forms less distinct.

The ventilation of theatres had always been a problem in Brisbane’s steamy climate. The early theatres had addressed this issue with sliding roofs or sliding side walls.

Brisbane Repertory Theatre

Between World War I and World War II, other initiatives included the formation by Barbara Sisley and Professor J.J. Stable in 1925 of The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society, who chose plays to suit the talents of their acting ensemble and the tastes of their audience and, in a very short time, were attracting a large audience base, The inaugural production was A. A. Milne’s comedy THE DOVER ROAD which opened on July 31, 1925 at the Theatre Royal. Barbara Sisley organized tours of their productions throughout Queensland, and additionally was a part of the Dramatic Society of the University of Queensland, founder of the Art of Speech Association, the Dickens Fellowship, the Lyceum Club, Authors’ and Artists’ Association, C.E.M.A., and an advisory panel of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Jean Trundle Arts TheatreJean Trundle, another student of Barbara Sisley, and who had appeared in plays directed by Barbara Sisley and Rhoda Felgate for the Brisbane Shakespeare Society and the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society, by 1925 was running her own speech-training school in the city. She formed the Jean Trundle Players and presented productions to benefit charities in the suburbs and various country towns.

At it’s foundation, The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society had 175 inaugural members each having paid an annual fee of £1.7.6. entitling each member to 3 seats for each production plus invitations to one act plays, readings and lectures that the Society held from time to time.  Until 1942, The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society performed in nearly all the available theatres in Brisbane: the Theatre Royal in Elizabeth Street until 1928, thence the Bohemia, His Majesty’s Theatre, the Cremorne Theatre, the Princess Theatre, the Rialto and finally Albert Hall in 1942.

As The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society’s beginnings coincided with the Great Depression and the introduction of talking films resulting in less commercial theatrical offerings, The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society became a driving force in the entertainment options for local audiences.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Rhoda FelgateBarbara Sisley’s speech and drama student, Rhoda Felgate OAM MBE, also a founding member of Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society, directed her first production, A HAPPY FAMILY by Queenslander Vance Palmer, in 1926 at the Theatre Royal with Rhoda Felgate and Jean Trundle in leading roles. During the next 10 years she directed 14 more plays for the society, 3 of them Australian, largely presented at Albert Hall.

Amateur theatres were very lucky in those days. The royalty was 5 guineas for the first night and 4 guineas for the subsequent nights from Samuel French in Sydney. (a guinea was roughly equivalent to a £). Sometimes Brisbane theatres were putting on a play whilst a professional theatre was still playing in London.  The gross potential box office was about £20.

Brisbane Theatre History Cremorne Theatre for Lease 1929 MGMAdvertising the Cremorne Theatre for lease since 1929 in cinema magazines, by 1934, John Neil Clark McCallum responded to the increasing competition from the film industry and adapted (at a cost of about £20,000) the Cremorne Theatre to make it suitable for films, leasing the theatre to MGM as a cinema until 1940 when live entertainment returned with the arrival of large numbers of Australian and American military personnel. Many high-profile entertainers such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Gary Cooper played the Cremorne Theatre.

The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society membership was almost five hundred; plays were presented every Saturday night for 30 weeks in 1936; a continuous lease of the Princess Theatre was held from 1934 until October 1941 and artistic standards were regularly praised in press articles. Barbara Sisley led The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society for its first 21 years, dropping ‘society’ from its name in 1945 to become The Brisbane Repertory Theatre. Barbara Sisley died on 18 November 1945 the day after having been struck by a taxi on Adelaide Street, Brisbane.

Stimulated to give the flourishing theatre-loving audiences a chance to participate in theatre, The Brisbane Repertory Theatre, in a campaign led by Rhoda Felgate, started the Twelfth Night Theatre Company in 1936 who would put on a play on its 12th night of every month. If the 12th night fell on a Sunday when the law of the time did not permit entertainment but did allow “religious drama”, they would put on a religious play and make sure each of the “congregation” put as much in the “plate” as a ticket would have cost.

In the Empire Chambers, at the corner of Wharf and Queen Streets, a teaching studio was used as a rehearsal room for 30 shillings a week, and the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society rented a small hall which had a stage and front curtain, and used the Empire Chambers boardroom-cum-Library for a dressing room which the thespians protected with bringing bed sheets and mirrors from their homes.  These spaces continued to be used as theatrical space right through World War II.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Babette StephensThe very first Twelfth Night Theatre Company play was TOUCH WOOD by C. L. Anthony which opened on March 12, 1936 at Empire Chambers and making £14. It was directed by Rhoda Felgate, with a cast including Babette Stephens.

In 1936, Brisbane Amateur Theatres was founded by Jean Trundle with her husband Vic Hardgraves to present plays with ‘popular appeal’. Jean Trundle directed (and starred in) their first production, Leslie Howard’s TELL ME THE TRUTH which opened on May 28, 1936 at All Saints Hall. It was followed by an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s OLIVER TWIST, starring her husband. As Brisbane Amateur Theatre‘s leading figure, Jean Trundle continued to direct and produce plays regularly until 1965 often utilizing National Mutual Buildings at 144 Edward Street as their venue.

On March 22, 1937, a group of ballet teachers, led by Phyllis Danaher, established the Queensland branch of the newly formed Australasian Society of Operatic Dancing, becoming the genesis of the Ballet Theatre Queensland one of Australia’s leading youth ballet company’s and a not-for-profit incorporated organization. Until 1953 the society concentrated on supporting talented Queensland dancers, Phyllis Danaher decided to appoint an artistic director to produce ballets for the society. Former pupil Cyril Johns was hired in 1953 and stayed until 1961.

The Twelfth Night Theatre Company staged Ödön von Horváth’s drama JUDGMENT DAY at the Princess Theatre in late 1938 and then settled in for a further 5 productions during 1940.

The University of Queensland Dramatic Society, the Workers Education Association Dramatic Society and the Brisbane Shakespeare Society also staged occasional productions at the Princess Theatre between November 1938 and June 1940, before ceasing operations for the remainder of World War II. Beginning with the comedy DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY in March 1939, The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society mounted a further dozen productions at the Princess Theatre until May 1942, leasing the theatre for £9 per week. The Unity Theatre, a “working class theatre company” staged 4 plays between March and October 1939.

Later in 1939, Babette Stephens, AM MBE, whom had first appeared on a Brisbane stage in CHRISTINE by Vance Palmer in November 1930 at the Cremorne Theatre, ran a program of plays for Twelfth Night Theatre Company at All Saints Hall.

Brisbane Arts Theatre Brisbane Ballet Theatre Double Bill Swan Lake Hands Across The Sea at Albert Hall 1953Cyril Johns created a theatre group which he named Brisbane Ballet Theatre. On 26 October 1953 the group presented their inaugural production of Swan Lake, at the Albert Hall. It was an unusual night as the program was shared with the Brisbane Arts Theatre who presented a performance of Noel Coward’s play HANDS ACROSS THE SEA. By 1954 Brisbane Ballet Theatre became an independent organization to be called the Queensland Ballet Society. In 1955 they presented Cyril John’s ambitious first complete performance event including scenes from Swan Lake / The Sleeping Beauty / Coppelia, with a live orchestra at the Brisbane City Hall.

The first play presented by the Twelfth Night Theatre Company at Albert Hall, THE TWO MRS CARROLLS by Martin Vale, was in 1941, produced and directed by Rhoda Felgate. Also in 1941, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company were able to lease a gymnasium from Dorothy Brockway’s father which had been built for her at the back of 51 Wickham Terrace. By 1946, under Rhoda Felgate’s leadership, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company had presented 43 productions.

During World War II, several significant government supported initiatives included the Queensland State String Quartet from 1944, and the Brisbane City Council public concert programs from 1941, both of which had a strong presence in the Brisbane City Hall which opened in 1930.

Also during World War II, the headquarters for U.S. General Douglas MacArthur was based in Brisbane commencing in July 1942, and with the U.S, Army renovating the sprung dance floor at Cloudland, it became a pre-eminent rehearsal venue by day and multi-use venue by night.

From 1942 to 1945 the Princess Theatre was used as the administrative and rehearsal headquarters for the Entertainment Unit of the U.S. Armed Forces.

AFTER WORLD WAR II

Brisbane Theatre Guild formation ABC Weekly December 8 1945In 1945, Leon Black, a U.S. serviceman and experienced New York producer / director / actor, establishes a Brisbane Theatre Guild to develop and produce local Brisbane theatrical productions as a professional company.  Brisbane musician Reubert Hayes joins as musical director.  Leon Black had previously produced and starred in the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society production of THE NIGHT OF THE SIXTEENTH OF JANUARY. Brisbane Theatre Guild’s first production of JUNIOR MISS opened on January 22, 1946 at the Albert Hall.

The Albert Park Amphitheatre was first used an entertainment venue in 1945, with THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC CONCERT on August 26, presented by Allan and Stark Limited which attracted more than 6,000 people.

Brisbane Theatre History Arts TheatreBrisbane Amateur Theatres officially became known as Brisbane Arts Theatre in 1947, and 14 years later, the 144-seat Arts Theatre at 210 Petrie Terrace became the company’s long-term home.  This made Brisbane Arts Theatre the first theatre company in Brisbane to operate within its own theatre premises. Before becoming the Arts Theatre, the property was known as Dan’s – a second hand shop, was purchased for £6,000 in June of 1956, and redeveloped with £3,000 worth of renovations. The first production to be staged at the Arts Theatre was THE MULTI-COLOURED UMBRELLA by Australian playwright Barbara Mary Vernon which opened on September 15, 1961.

In 1948, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company leased the large 2-storey Gowrie Hall at 39 Wickham Terrace. It was a converted church hall. The upper floor became a rehearsal and play-reading space seating 112, while the lower housed speech teachers and their studios. Rhoda Felgate invited Joan Whalley OAM to join the Twelfth Night Theatre Company in 1951 after seeing her in an outdoor production of AS YOU LIKE IT where she played Rosalind at Blackheath College in Charters Towers.

New post-war cultural organizations included the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 1947, Brisbane Opera Company in 1948 (which did not have a long life, and was not connected to the later formation of the Queensland Opera Company as an offshoot of the Queensland Arts Council in 1970), and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1956.

In 1948, the Villanova Players, a Roman Catholic theatre group founded by Irish priest John Louis Hanrahan of the Order of St. Augustin’s. He was one of four Irish priests sent to Australia in 1948 with the purpose of creating a boys’ school in Brisbane. Father Hanrahan was assisted by his friend Gabriel Fallon, an actor from the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Donagh McDonagh, editor of the Brisbane Catholic Leader newspaper, and Pat and Vince Fogerty. Originally linked with Villanova College who funded productions. The Villanova Players devoted to morality in the relationship of drama and religion, launched a production of THE PROPOSAL by Anton Chekov at the Albert Hall. In 1954 a production of CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN played the Albert Hall performances followed by an extended season in the group’s new home a Parish Hall, St. James’ Hall in Coorparoo.  Up until the 1990s the group had always operated out of church venues. In 1970 the group moved to a building at St Luke’s School in Buranda, where they converted the ground floor into a 120 seat theatre. Then in 2000 moved their productions to the McElligott Theatre, South Brisbane, with another move in 2004 to The Theatre at Seven Hills TAFE, Morningside, where they remain today. Well-known performers started their careers with the Villanova Players include Bernard King; Murray Foy, Margery Forde and Lawrence Hodge.

Brisbane Theatre ABC Plays ABC Weekly April 2 1949Beginning in 1949, the ABC produced a radio series of play excerpts, utilizing the talents of The Brisbane Repertory Society, beginning with Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST starring Babette Stephens (as Lady Bracknell), Gwen Wheeler, Keith Howard and Blair Hefferman.

Brisbane Theatre Globe formation ABC Weekly January 27 1951Also in 1951, a new professional repertory theatre group call The Globe, opened their first production of Shaw’s CANDIDA starring Betty Ross OAM.

John Neil Clark McCallum’s Cremorne Theatre was used by the Brisbane Opera Society and the Queensland Theatre Guild until 1951. The last recorded program was for a production of THE DESERT SONG by the Musical and Theatre Guild of Queensland on 3 May 1952. On 18 February 1954 the Cremorne Theatre was destroyed by fire caused by the combustion of inflammable film. The fire attracted a crowd of about 41,000 who watched firemen battle the blaze. Damage was estimated at £100,000

In 1956, Gowrie Hall was acquired by the Twelfth Night Theatre Company. By 1966, all productions were staged at Gowrie Hall. Joan Whalley played the title role in the final production in Gowrie Hall in June 1969 HEDDA GABLER by Ibsen directed by Ron Finney.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Bryan Nason The College PlayersIn 1959 a quasi-professional performing arts group was formed  under the name of College Opera led by director Bryan Nason AM a 2nd year University of Queensland Science student who wanted to produce Gilbert and Sullivan operas at the Albert Hall. The first was PATIENCE in 1959. Having no theatre of their own, Bryan Nason led the charge to establish a fully professional state theatre company after attracting attention throughout Brisbane and parts of Queensland. For 10 years The College Players formerly called College Opera operated until 1969. The College Players presented activities from Opera to Shakespearian presentations in Festival Hall.

Queensland’s first fully professional ballet company, The Queensland Ballet, was formed in 1960 as the Lisner Ballet, a private initiative of Charles Lisner. In 1961 the Lisner Ballet toured 9,000 miles of Queensland and NSW for the Australian Arts Council. The following year it became known as the Queensland Ballet Company but it was not until 1967 that it received its first State subsidy. In 1966 Charles Lisner was forced to disband the company because he and his wife Valerie, a Brisbane-born ballet dancer, could not continue indefinitely to produce ballet at their own expense. But Peggy van Praagh, artistic director of the Australian Ballet, came to the rescue. She recommended that the company receive a subsidy which resulted in the Queensland Government’s. grant of $7,000 which enabled the company to be reborn. As the Queensland Ballet Company has a similar name to Queensland Ballet Society it caused confusion and the Queensland Ballet Society had not thought to register its name, so in 1962 it chose to call itself Ballet Theatre of Queensland and has been known by that name thereafter.

Rhoda Felgate Retirement The Bulletin March 22 1961In 1961, Rhoda Felgate marked her retirement from the theatre by directing and playing the leading role in a 25th anniversary production of I REMEMBER MAMA by John Van Druten. She continued to teach until the 1980s at her Kangaroo Point home, and was patron of Twelfth Night Theatre and of the Speech and Drama Teachers’ Association of Queensland. Never married, Rhoda Felgate died on September 14, 1990.

By 1961, The Brisbane Repertory Society, created the position of Director especially for Babette Stephens. She had been President for three years, 1957 to 1959. Babette Stephens continued as Director of the Theatre until 1968, directing the majority of plays in Albert Hall and occasionally in the TAA Theatre in Adelaide Street. During this period, Babette Stephens’ successor, Jennifer Blocksidge joined The Brisbane Repertory Society and began acting and directing.

In 1961 Warana Festival began and later this much loved bi-annual evolved into one of Australia’s leading international arts festivals, the annual Brisbane Festival. Warana is an Aboriginal word for “blue skies”.

Nason Family: The Bulletin March 13 1979Bryan Nason returned from an overseas trip in 1963 to produce YEOMAN OF THE GUARD for the College Opera at Albert Hall and the University’s newly acquired Avalon Theatre it St. Lucia in May 1963. Bryan Nason made all the men’s costumes, designed the sets, and played the leading role. Bryan Nason left his high school teaching job and with financial support from his Surat parents and a University of Queensland Dramatic Society loan of £75 for production of the musical comedy SALAD DAYS which toured Queensland and played in Brisbane 31 January to 8 February, 1964.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Gloria Birdwood SmithGloria Birdwood-Smith director, choreographer and performer for The Musical and Theatre Guild of Queensland and over 30 productions for the Brisbane Repertory Theatre during the 1940s and 1960s directed her final Brisbane Repertory Theatre production of CALAMITY JANE at the TAA Theatre which opened on May 20, 1965, starring Rowena Wallace, with sets designed by Ken Lord and a young Barry Otto designing costumes and acting in the chorus. Following this production, Gloria Birdwood-Smith focussed her attention on her TAA Theatre productions and remained active in Brisbane theatrical circles for many years, directing for the Brisbane Youth Theatre, Queensland Light Opera Company, Brisbane Arts Theatre and the Brisbane Choral Society.

In addition to the tours of light opera and musicals, Bryan Nason began an annual production of a Shakespearian plays starting in with THE TEMPEST in 1965 at the Avalon Theatre, HAMLET starring David Clendinning in 1967 with audiences of over 2,000 each night at Festival Hall and in April 1968 The College Players changed from amateur to semi-professional status, ending with THE MERCHANT OF VENICE in 1969 and the disbanding of The College Players and formation of the Grin and Tonic Theatrical Troupe.

In 1967 La Boîte Theatre in Hale Street, Milton was one of the few early venues (in 3 converted adjoining cottages) which opted for a permanent in-the-round setting, in fact, the first in Australia. In 1968 Jennifer Blocksidge took over as Director. The Brisbane Repertory Theatre became Brisbane Repertory’s La Boîte Theatre and evolved between 1993 and 2003 to become simply La Boîte Theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Alan FletcherOn January 17, 1968, Queensland was the first State to appoint a Minister for Cultural Activities, Sir Alan Fletcher, who gets a lots of credit for the formation of the Queensland Theatre Company, with all the advantages of statutory recognition by Act of Parliament. It was also in 1968 Queensland became the first State to establish and appoint a full-time Director of Cultural Activities (for the Queensland Department of Education). 51 year old English born Arthur Creedy, who had studied and lectured at Cambridge and taught English literature at the University of Leeds. Arthur Creedy became a beloved man state-wide with his finger on the theatrical growth of Queensland believing that drama should be the heart of culture. He served as an ex-officio Board member and as Acting Artistic Director until Alan Edwards appointment was made. He retired in 1978 due to illness.

Around this time, the Queensland Government received laurels from interstate cultural experts, including Dr Jean Battersby, executive officer of the Australian Council for the Arts, for its visionary promotion and financial support of the performing arts at the time. Queensland was the only state at the time to develop professional theatre, opera and ballet companies supported by State and Federal funds and coordinated at a regional level.

The SGIO Theatre (State Government Insurance Office) a 611-seat proscenium theatre, was built in 1969 for $1,750,000.

With the appointment of Sir David Muir CMG, Director of the Department of Industrial Development, as the 1st Chairman of the Queensland Theatre Company’s Board, the State’s first fully professional drama company launched into its first year, and for nearly 30 years, used the SGIO Theatre.

Queensland Theatre Company‘s inaugural presentation of Peter Shaffer’s THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN opened on 1 October 1969 at the SGIO Theatre, Produced, Directed and Designed by Bryan Nason, with Reg Cameron, Leo Wockner, Robert Kingham and Rod Wissler.  The opening night saw processions along Turbot Street accompanied by band music and flaming torches. THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN had approximately 8,000 ticket buyers with a takings of $15,082.45.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Alan Edwards Queensland Theatre CompanyDuring the first decade of its working life under the skillful direction and leadership of Alan Edwards AM MBE the Queensland Theatre Company operated with a resident company of artists. After 1979 this policy changed to cast actors for each separate production.

QTC Poster A Rum Do 1970 QTCThe first production Alan Edwards directed was the premiere of an Australian musical A RUM DO! which opened on April 10, 1970 coinciding with the day that Royal Assent was given to the Act of Parliament which incorporated the Company and its selection influenced by the Captain Cook Bi-Centenary Celebrations, A special performance on April 13, 1970 was held in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Princess Anne. [See the Official Royal Itinerary Book in PDF].

As a statutory body, the Queensland Theatre Company’s wide-ranging brief, had a particular stress on state touring and theatre in education. In fact, the touring brief was part of the company’s operation from the very beginning; in the first full year of activity in 1970, 3 of the 4 productions toured the state. Likewise, theatre for young people have been an important part of the company policy right from the outset.

By 1970, Bryan Nason started producing and directing a variety of productions, including BACCHOI, the pop musical written to open the Schonell Theatre at the Queensland University; various Queensland tours and back in Brisbane, AS YOU LIKE IT in 1976 for the Grin and Tonic Theatrical Troupe, which evolved out of the demise of The College Players and continues to produce educational programs and mainstage theatre throughout Australia today.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Joan Whalley

With Rhoda Felgate’s retirement, coupled with a desire to build a fit-for-purpose theatre, Joan Whalley was selected as the incoming Artistic Director and Vitaly Gzell was engaged as the architect. To raise enough money to buy the land, containing an old tennis court adjoining the Johnstone Gallery in Cintra Road, Bowen Hills, a group chaired by Lorna Gell, along with Yvonne Bain who owned Gowrie Hall, had the task of raising the money via a building fund. The Twelfth Night Theatre complex, with a seating capacity of 408, was built in 1971, thanks in part to dollar-for-dollar State government support to the building fund but carried the debt burden of $150,000 into its new operation. It opened with Joan Whalley’s production of Feydeau’s A FLEA IN HER EAR on March 17, 1971.

Shortly after the Schonell Theatre was constructed in 1970 within the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, the University of Queensland Union (UQU) also built The Cement Box under the Schonell Theatre as a small studio theatre named after it’s cement bessa-block walls. The first production was Frame and Kennett Promotions of HAMLET ON ICE which opened on September 4, 1973. Directed by Ken Kennett, Designed by Gregory Gesch and starring Bille Brown and Geoffrey Rush.

A new La Boîte Theatre replaced the old cottage theatre in 1972 as the first purpose-built arena theatre in Australia. The construction was financed by a dollar-for-dollar grant of $40,000 from the Queensland Government in November 1971. The new theatre at 69 Hale Street opened on 11 June 1972, with a production of A REFINED LOOK AT EXISTENCE by Australian playwright Rodney Milgate. In 1976 Rick Billinghurst was appointed as the first professional Artistic Director of La Boîte Theatre Company.

Brisbane Theatre Her Mejestys Closting The Bulletin September 14 1976By the early 1970s, the standard of major facilities for the performing arts in Brisbane was lagging behind contemporary venues elsewhere. The need for a new major performing arts centre in Queensland became more urgent in 1973 with the sale of Her Majesty’s Theatre. The new owners, the AMP Society, intended to demolish the building and redevelop the site. The imminent demise of Her Majesty’s Theatre became a key consideration in the decision by the Queensland Government in November 1974 to announce the development of a Cultural Complex incorporating a Centre for the Performing Arts at South Brisbane. The Cabinet submission noted that, with ‘Her Majesty’s Theatre closing, Brisbane will be really deficient in this area’.

Eight years after establishing the Queensland Theatre Company, Sir David Muir was appointed the 1st Chairman of the Queensland Cultural Centre Trust in 1976, after being involved with the earliest development of the project. The trust’s duties included facilitating activities in the arts, science, culture and performing arts throughout Queensland and the development of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the buildings that would comprise the South Bank cultural precinct.

The Gallery Theatre in Bowen Hills, seating about 150 people, opened on April 23, 1974 with a production of the revue HERE WE ARE directed by Arthur Frame and Ken Kennett. Frame and Kennett Promotions established the fully professional theatre company run entirely independent of Government funding. When Arthur Frame left The Gallery Theatre the space became a theatre and youth activity centre called the Treehouse Theatre which presented its final production, TWISTED DICK in May 1981.

In 1975, the Ipswich Little Theatre utilized professional directors such as Arthur Frame directing A DELICATE BALANCE by Edward Albee; and in 1977, Robert Kingham directed THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, and Bryan Nason, workshopped and directed a musical STELLA for the Young Theatricals, the Junior group members of Ipswich Little Theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer David Clendinning Brisbane Actors CompanyAnother professional company was founded in 1976 as the Brisbane Actors Company by David Clendinning and Bruce Parr whom were frustrated by the tendency to employ actors from interstate and by the disbanding of Twelfth Night Theatre Company‘s acting ensemble, the Brisbane Actors Company’s primary aim was to provide employment for local Brisbane actors. After an initial production of THE MISANTHROPE by Moliere in 1976. the group adopted its new name of the Actors Theatre in 1978 and proceeded with productions of mostly small-cast plays until it’s final production in February 1981.

By 1976 the Twelfth Night Theatre debts topped $300,000 and its dreams of establishing a full-time professional alternative to the Queensland Theatre Company ended. In 1977 the full-time acting ensemble of the Twelfth Night Theatre Company was abandoned, and the theatre went through a difficult spell until 1979, when John Milson was appointed as Artistic Director and programming reverted to a broadly mainstream policy, reviving the permanent ensemble idea. But the financial situation failed to improve and the Twelfth Night Theatre was sold to the State government along with the company name of Twelfth Night which remained with the theatre building itself.

A new entity adopted the name T.N. Theatre Company free from the physical and financial constraints of the Twelfth Night Theatre, the TN! Theatre Company based itself on the Kelvin Grove campus of the Brisbane College of Advanced Education (now the Queensland University of Technology) but gave most of its performances from 1980 to 1986 in The Brookes Street Theatre, formerly the Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church on Brookes Street. Bryan Nason succeeded John Milson as Artistic Director in 1981. A year later, Rod Wissler took over in 1982 and for about 10 more years created a distinctive identity, while focusing its repertoire on contemporary writers and knockabout comedy. In 1986 the TN! Theatre Company took a 10-year lease of the Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba, and its last performance was in 1991 due to financial difficulties.

The first theatrical show set in the woodland Albert Park Amphitheatre was for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM which opened in September 1979 produced by the Queensland Theatre Company. The success of that production encouraged the Brisbane City Council in 1982 to build a permanent outdoor amphitheatre erected for a cost of $600,000. This permanent open air Albert Park Amphitheatre opened with a production of AS YOU LIKE IT in September 1981, also produced by the Queensland Theatre Company.

Her Majesty’s Theatre was sold to the A.M.P. Society for $3 million in 1973 and the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government was responsible for allowing the demolition of Her Majesty’s Theatre on October 23, 1983 to make way for Hilton Hotel and the Theatre Royal in 1987 to make way for the Myer Centre.  J. C. Williamson’s Ltd ceased operations in 1984.

QPAC Development The Bulletin October 15 1977The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) broke ground in 1976 and opened on 20 April 1985. QPAC houses 3 major theatrical spaces including the Lyric Theatre for the presentation of opera, musical comedy and dance, a Concert Hall for performances by symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles, solo instrumentalists and an all new Cremorne Theatre, a 200 seat experimental theatre. QPAC schedules over 1,000 performances annually and saw 1.3 million people through its doors in 2017.

By 1980, Gweneth (Gwen) Iliffe and her puppeteer son Peter Iliffe leased the gutted Twelfth Night Theatre from the Queensland Government as a home for The Puppet People productions. As the operators of the Twelfth Night Theatre, they sub-leased the theatre to other theatrical and puppetry groups, including the TN! Theatre Company for their various productions including THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1980), HAMLET (1981), ROMEO AND JULIET (1982) and presenting companies such as Clifford Hocking Enterprises, Michael Edgley International, Phillip Street Theatre Productions and Philip Edmiston’s Queensland Marionette Theatre. The Puppet People opened a revival of BEES HEY on May 21, 1983.

A number of new cultural organizations were born in the ’80s… The Lyric Opera of Queensland as a replacement for the Queensland Opera Company (1981 – the first season was in 1982), Dance North (1985), and Rock’n’Roll Circus (1986, renamed Circa in 2004).

The SGIO Theatre was renamed the Suncorp Theatre in 1986 and demolished in July 2007.

In 1988, the Queensland Government sold the Twelfth Night Theatre into private ownership to Gail Wiltshire who purchased the building, along with its debt of $1.3 million. Twelfth Night Theatre became the only privately owned theatre in Australia, not controlled by any commercially funded or government organization and received no public grants from either the Queensland State or Australian federal governments.

On August 31, 1997 the Queensland Theatre Company production of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO opened the new 850 seat South Bank Playhouse (then called “Optus Playhouse“) built within the Queensland Performing Arts Centre complex incorporating a proscenium & orchestra pit.

Established by the Brisbane City Council in 2000, the Brisbane Powerhouse emerged from a repurposed industrial space with a variety of flexible spaces focused on independent groups and companies creating theatre, dance, music, film and visual art.  Its primary Powerhouse Theatre seats about 500.

The Judith Wright Arts Centre (aka The Judy) was renovated and re-opened as an arts centre in October 2001.  The venue includes performance spaces with 3 rehearsal studios for dance, theatre and music. The main 300 seat performance space is a flexible “black box” theatre.

By 2003, the La Boîte Theatre Company with a combination of ever-growing road closures and traffic issues in the area due to proximity to Lang Park Football Stadium (now Suncorp Stadium), coupled with the near 30-year old La Boîte Theatre maintenance issues and outgrowing its 200 seat capacity, the semi-professional La Boîte Theatre Company sold its Hale Street property for $1 million and sought a new performance space. Its final production was a revival of David Williamson’s THE REMOVALISTS, closing on September 6, 2003.

A new location was found for the La Boîte Theatre Company when the Queensland University of Technology agreed to include a theatre building in its plans for a Creative Industries Precinct within Kelvin Grove. The Queensland Government funded the company’s move to the Roundhouse Theatre at Kelvin Grove. By the end of 2003, the La Boîte Theatre Company moved into the $4.3 million purpose-built 400 seat Roundhouse Theatre complex with a 25 year lease.

In 2010 The Cement Box was refurbished and renamed the Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio in honor of the University graduate and Academy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor.

In October 2018, Queensland Theatre moved into its own purpose built premises at 78 Montague Road including the Bille Brown Theatre (351-seat) and the Diane Cilento Studio (228 seat)  after a $5.5 million renovation converting from the former 228-seat Bille Brown Studio.

In May 2018 the Queensland State Government has announced a new $150 million 1,500-1,700 seat theatre to become the Queensland Performing Arts Centre fifth theatre that will collectively create Australia’s largest performing arts centre. The ‘Playhouse Green’ has been selected as the theatre location, which is in proximity to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre entrance on Grey Street.

The Princess Theatre reopened in August 2021 with a fully restored heritage building.

A new studio theatre intended for student classes, workshops and theatrical productions, the UQ Drama Pavilion was built in 2022 as a replacement for the Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio which is closed for multi-year refurbishment.

PIONEERING BRISBANE THEATRE John Neil McCallum, Cremorne Theatre | Barbara Sisley, Brisbane Shakespeare Society & Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society | Rhoda Felgate, Brisbane Repertory Theatre | Babette Stephens, La Boite Theatre | Jean Trundle, Brisbane Shakespeare Society & Arts Theatre | Joan Whalley, Twelfth Night Theatre | Bryan Nason, The College Players | Alan Edwards, Queensland Theatre Co.

In chronological order, I provide my research, some of which stems from my final year school drama essay from 1979 called “Lost Theatre of Brisbane” (thanks to uncovering the neatly typed document in my Mum’s estate), supplemented with later research in 2005-2007, updated with Queensland Theatre Company and TN! Theatre Company colleagues’ recollections from our Facebook groups, and lots of deep delving into internet archives, on the history of people, shows, and largely demolishing Brisbane live entertainment venues…. (Her Majesties, Cloudland and the SGIO Theatre are at the top of my sadness list).  A few escaped the wrecking ball, and in the past couple of decades, the city seems to have done a 180º… I only including cinemas that also hosted theatrical live entertainment.  

DEMOLISHED

Croft Amphitheatre (1847-1848)

Brisbane Theatre History Croft amphitheatre locationThe Croft Amphitheatre (Russell St, South Brisbane) aka George & Amelia Croft Amphitheatre, or the Amphitheatre, was built and managed by George Croft and became Brisbane’s first entertainment space.

Actually also known then as Moreton Bay, the penal settlement where Brisbane now stands. The colony of Morton Bay was not opened to free settlers until 1842 and this meant, was a little slower than the other colonies in establishing a theatre tradition.

On Monday April 27, 1847, George Croft, a traveling performer whose expertise lay in acrobatics, tight-rope walking and playing a horn instrument upside down while balancing on a candlestick, gave the first ‘professional’ theatrical performance in Brisbane. His makeshift open-air theatre was located on Russell Street. The venue had a capacity of about 75 seats and 50 standing room. Other traveling circus and minstrel shows were later held in this amphitheatre.

The choice of late April for the opening night was not accidental, as it was a few nights before a full moon. South Brisbane at that time was a very dark place to walk around at night, with only the lights of candles and lanterns in the few buildings that had been erected to supplement whatever moonlight there was. South Brisbane was also a very small community with a European population of just 346 recorded in the 1846 census, with another 483 living north of the river. There was a ferry service connecting the two settlements which had its landing place at the end of Russell Street.

The land rose back from the river and then dropped off around Merivale Street where there was a long water hole and swampy land. Croft would not have wanted his audience to walk far in the dark from the ferry, and needed sloping ground for an amphitheatre effect. It’s therefore likely that the location was near the corner of Russell and Grey Streets back from Stanley Street, then known as Stanley Quay. It’s also possible that the amphitheatre was located on the banks of the river, as the land rose quite steeply from the bank, making the area very suitable for an amphitheatre.

This colonial amphitheatre was probably a makeshift construction of timber and canvas.

Today ‘George Croft Lane‘ links Cordelia St & Merivale St, marking a memorial to the vicinity of the amphitheatre.

The opening night was reviewed in the Moreton Bay Courier where it was reported that all the seats were filled and the amphitheatre was “admirably lit up” and the audience, especially the children, enjoyed the performance. Amelia Croft, whom George had married in 1845 in Goulburn, performed on the tight rope and “making do allowance for the timidity natural to a first performance, she acquitted herself tolerably”. The reporter however criticized Croft for the use of an “obscene song” in the performance, which was encored.

George Croft was likely catering to visiting seamen and squatters’ men in the audience, since very close by at the corner of Grey and Russell Streets was a “barracks” for squatters and their men.

Moreton Bay’s population (2,525 in 1846) was too small to support ongoing circus or theatrical activity. When it became known that nearby seamen and squatters were allowed in – patronage waned and the Croft Amphitheatre was closed.

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School of Arts (1851-1884)

Brisbane Theatre History School Of The Arts 1877The School of Arts (corner of Queen and Creek Streets) was Brisbane’s first institution established to cater for the cultural needs of the developing colony when in 1849 meetings were held in the North Brisbane Court House. It opened in 1851 and was also occasionally used by touring and local live entertainment.

The School of Arts, was never referred to as a theatre even in its day yet was one of the earliest buildings used for public performances. The Brisbane Amateur Minstrels were based there and visiting minstrel shows were popular.

The Queen Street front of the building included four shops and two offices and was the main entrance to the hall. The hall could house between 800 and 1000 patrons.

The supposed revenue to come from the shops at the front of the building was not forthcoming during an economic depression at the time and they remained empty and the hall was not popular. The financial woes of the organisation led to the sale of the site in 1872 to the Queensland National Bank (now National Australia Bank).

Membership dropped severely during the Depression.

In 1881, the School of Arts then moved to an Adelaide Street site with a new venue called Albert Hall.

Now known as The Old School of Arts (Queen and Creek Streets) remained available for hire until demolished in 1884 to make way for the Queensland National Bank’s new premises.

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DEMOLISHED

Masons Concert Hall (1865-1880)

Masons Concert Hall (80 Elizabeth Street) opened on 25 January 1865. George B. Mason, who has since been credited with introducing the first regular theatrical performances to Brisbane, built the theatre which was close to, and subsequently adjoining, the Victoria Hotel where he was the lessee. Mason had previously been the proprietor of a music shop in Queen Street, he was also a teacher of music, and he was responsible for promoting some public concerts.

This was likely Brisbane’s first purpose-built theatre.  The audience sat on benches with backs that were tiered gradually to allow patrons unobstructed sightlines from the rear of the auditorium. By having no pit or gallery, the hall could be used for dance balls on the flat floor.

From 1865 to 1880, the theatre was perpetually being renovated and renamed. It was variously Masons Concert Hall, Masons Theatre, the Victoria Theatre in 1865. From March 1866 it was known as the Victoria Concert Hall, though the old name persisted for some months. Nicknamed “The Longboat”, in 1867 it was renamed the Royal Victoria Theatre in competition with the Royal Alexandra Theatre on Edward Street (which opened in November 1866).

Some players in the 1870s refused to return to the theatre because of its tiny stage, the heat, the noise of the rain on the iron roof and the mosquitoes.

A French visitor in 1883 wrote: “Shakespeare’s masterpieces were performed on a stage three yards square, and the ghost of the king of Denmark could be seen making his exit behind a backdrop representing Mount Versuvius in eruption. Hamlet dressed like an undertakers’ mute, philosophised on the vanity of the human condition while contemplating a hollowed-out pumpkin in which an artist had cut out of the jaw a nose and two huge round eyes.”

In April 1867, it was renamed by Morton Tavares as the Queensland Theatre on 21 April 1874, before it was demolished by James Thynne in 1880 who entirely rebuilt the theatre as the Theatre Royal.

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DEMOLISHED

Royal Alexandra Theatre (opened 1866)

Royal Alexandra Theatre (Edward Street) opened in November 1866 and operated until at least 1876.

James Dinsdale came over from the Masons Concert Hall as sole proprietor.

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Exhibition Building [1] (1875-1888)

In 1875 land was leased as an exhibition ground to the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association. Brisbane’s first Exhibition Building was opened at the junction of Gregory Terrace and Bowen Bridge Road on 22 August 1876.  When the timber building was destroyed by fire in June 1888, a competition was immediately organised to design a more permanent Exhibition Building on the same site.

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RE-PURPOSED

School of Arts [2] (opened 1878)

Brisbane Theatre History School of the Arts Ann StThe School of Arts purchased the Servants Home (a clearing house and hostel for new domestic servants built in 1866) on Ann Street in 1873, and leased out the property while the School of Arts rented the Queen and Creek Street building from the Queensland National Bank until May 1878 when they finally moved into the Ann Street building.

Membership dropped severely during the Depression. No professional variety or theatrical companies have yet been identified as using the School of Arts Ann Street premises.

In 1881, the School of Arts then moved to an Adelaide Street site with a new venue called Albert Hall.

The School of Arts Ann Street building operated under its auspices until taken over by the Brisbane City Council in 1965 and now used as a council library.

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Theatre Royal (1881-1987)

Brisbane Theatre History Theatre Royal Brisbane 1891The Theatre Royal (80 Elizabeth Street) had the distinction of standing on the site of the first official theatre in Brisbane and so is integrally linked with Brisbane’s earliest theatrical history.

Built as a replacement for Mason’s Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal opened on 18 April 1881 on the site of Masons Concert Hall, Masons Theatre, Victoria Theatre, Royal Victoria Theatre and Queensland Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,350. The Dress Circle held 350, the Stalls held 250, and the Orchestra level accommodated 750. A private refreshment room was provided for the patrons of the dress circle and a smoking room was at the front of the theatre “so that every bored playgoer can lounge away the acts in comfort”.

The inaugural show was farcical comedy OUR GIRLS.

Brisbane Theatre History Royal 1881 Faust advertismentThe press praised the elegance of the interior design of the new theatre despite its modest exterior. The golden Corinthian columns of the proscenium were particularly liked. People were critical however, of the shape of the Dress Circle which was too much of a horse-shoe shape, somewhat obscuring sight-lines to the stage for those sitting at the side.

An overwhelming concern of theatre goers, was to make sure that they could reach their homes after a performance. One attraction was the availability of good public transport. In 1881 the Theatre Royal advertised that omnibuses leave the theatre for all the suburbs immediately after the performance.

Brennans Amphitheatres Ltd. had control of the Theatre Royal at this time, and renovated in 1911 to install electric lighting, re-painted the interior, and improved seating and ventilation, including the installation of a sliding roof, enhancing the audience comfort.

The theatre had largely cosmetic renovations again in late 1940 and re-opened early in 1941.

The Theatre Royal was commandeered by the US Army for entertainment during WWII from 1942 and was only used for a small number of Revues for US servicemen.

At the end of the war, the theatre has been transformed back to a functioning theatre, yet intimate theatre, with modern furnishings and comfortable chairs.

Few other changes were made to the theatre before its closure on 19 December 1959

It was sold in 1960 and was used by a variety of groups like the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Theatre Company as a rehearsal space.

It finished its life in the 1980s as a nightclub called Swizzles before being totally demolished to make way for the Myer Centre in 1987.

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DEMOLISHED

Albert Hall [1] (1881-1909)

The Mayor of Brisbane, Richard Southall and his son-in-law built the first Albert Hall (Adelaide Street between Edward and Albert Streets) which opened on 20 September 1881. Albert Hall with a seating capacity of 1,000, possessed excellent acoustic properties, and was well suited for concerts and theatrical performances.

Many performances were held in the Albert Hall in the days when the performers were not named in the programmes. Amateurs did not get personal publicity.

In 1884 the building was remodelled to include a larger stage and renamed the Academy of Music.

Two years later in 1886 it was again renovated and renamed the Gaiety Theatre aka Liddy’s Gaiety Theatre. Entertainments staged in theatre between 1886 and 1899 included those by the Taylor-Carrington Company (Harrry Taylor and Ella Carrington), Wilson Forbes Dramatic Company, Hamilton’s Dramatic Company, the Great Pantomime Company, and the Gaiety Pantomime Company.

During the time as the Gaiety Theatre, famous variety and vaudeville stars would perform, eventually turning it into a vaudeville house.  In 1888, the theatre presented various minstrel shows, all with white men, and most American.  The minstrels shows were so successful, that it’s promoter took over theatre management.

However, the mistrals were short lived, and the Gaiety Theatre was converted again to a parcels Post Office in 1899 and was demolished it in 1909 to make way for extensions to a retail shop.

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DEMOLISHED

Her Majesty’s Theatre (1888-1983)

Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys Theatre in 1890Her Imperial Majesty’s Opera House (later known as Her Majesty’s Theatre) opened in April 1888. The theatre (193 Queen Street between Albert and Edwards Streets) was lit with electricity and seated 2,700 people and had a stage of 3,600 sq ft stage, large enough for spectacular musicals. As to be expected there were different classes of seating with padded velvet chairs in the dress circle and simple wooden seats in the stalls. Her Majesty’s Theatre became the principal venue for major performances in Brisbane for opera, musicals and ballet for almost a century.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer J.C. Williamson Her Majestys TheatreAustralia’s longest-running theatrical organization J. C. Williamson’s Ltd which began in 1882 through the triumvirate James Cassius Williamson, George Musgrove, and Arthur Garner became a Limited Company in 1910, when Williamson merged his interests with those of Rupert Clarke and Clyde Meynell. By 1913, the year that Williamson died, he and his partners had built “the Firm” into Australia’s premiere theatrical production company. J. C. Williamson’s Ltd held the lease on Her Majesty’s Theatre for more than 80 years bringing some of the greatest international and Australian entertainment and was instrumental in the development of live performance in Brisbane.

It changed its name after the death of Queen Victoria to His Majesty’s Theatre on 23 March 1901, a name which it kept throughout the reign of the 3 Kings and even through some of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, eventually being renamed Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys Theatre interior auditorium from stageSometimes referred to as the Brisbane Opera House, and affectionately known as “Her Maj“.

Her Majesty’s Theatre earned the distinction of being the first in Brisbane to present an attractive facade as well as interior. Her Majesty’s Theatre was the theatre for the socially elite in Brisbane with a standard dress code for audiences of formal evening attire.

Brisbane Theatre History Her MajestiesA hotel was also included within the basic design of the building. The main entrance to the theatre was between two shops. The ceiling of the auditorium was decorated with an intricate design of cornices. The orchestra level seating housed almost 700 people and the stalls could fit 550. A further 400 people could sit in the Dress Circle which was accessed by its own entrance and staircase, while another staircase could access the Family Circle for 600 people.In 1928 extensive renovation of His Majesty’s Theatre took place which on reopening in 1929 now had a seating capacity of 1,387. This refurbishment also included the removal of the separate gallery and dress circle and the installation of a new combined dress circle.

Further cosmetic renovations occurred in 1941.

In 1973 the theatre was sold to the A.M.P. Society for $3 million, the first time it had changed hands since it’s opening. Unfortunately to the disgust and much protestation from the public the theatre was demolished to make way for a hotel and shopping centre (Hilton Hotel and the Wintergarden shopping mall). Although it was stated that the facade of the building would be preserved it too was destined for the heap.

Her Majesty’s Theatre was said to be haunted. It should not be surprising as it would seem most, if not all theatres of a long standing have their resident ghost. During a performance of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Jon English saw a transparent figure walk from one side of the dress circle to the other. He took this in as he was performing the role of ‘Judas’ but did not skip a beat. There are other ghosts said to haunt the theatre. It is said that in the early 1900’s one actor killed another and hid the body in the ceiling cavity. The body was found and promptly removed (no idea what happened to the killer) but for many years after the dressing room that the body was discovered would suddenly reek with the smell of decaying flesh.

His Majesty’s Theatre was the largest theatre in Brisbane and it hosted most of the productions by professional touring companies throughout its 95 year history. J.C. Williamsons company held the lease on the theatre for more than 80 years. J. C. Williamson’s Ltd ceased operations in 1984.

Her Majestys Theatre Brisbane Theatre History Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, ca. 1894 Brisbane Theatre History Her Majesty's Theatre Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys Theatre circa 1898 Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys Theatre exterior (credit Peter Fischmann) Her Majesty's Theatre auditorium. Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys & Wintergarden Theatre exterior (circa 1959)

Brisbane Her Majestys Theatre Final Program Oct 16 1983Brisbane Theatre Her Mejestys Closting The Bulletin September 14 1976Some of the final shows at Her Majesty’s Theatre included the Queensland Theatre Company production of the musical ANNIE from Nov/Dec 1981, the Lyric Opera of Queensland production of IL TROVATORE starring Rita Hunter in September 1982, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW starring Stuart Wagstaff in October 1982 with a final production of JC Williamson’s production of EVITA in September/October 1983.

Despite community protest, the Kern Corporation demolished it on 23 October 1983 and the Hilton Hotel and Wintergarden Shopping Centre were built on the site. The Kern Corporation caused a Union ban on construction at the site because, despite assurances that the facade of the colonial theatre would be kept as part of the new building, the entire building was destroyed.

Brisbane Theatre History Her Majestys Theatre demolition (1983 queen street)

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DEMOLISHED

Centennial Hall (1888-1950)

Centennial Hall (Adelaide Street between Albert and Edward Streets) opened in 1888 and was used as a skating rink. It had a flat auditorium floor making the venue suitable for dances and balls as well as seating 700 people; a further 300 could be accommodated in the gallery. The Brisbane Liedertafel used it a music venue in the 1890s.

In 1906 was turned into Wests Olympia which was a bioscope theatre which ran until 1910. From 1940 to 1941 it was known as the Comedy Theatre where, after initially presenting comic plays it became a weekly-change vaudeville venue. In wartime it became the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom.

Fire damaged the building in April 1942 and dances were suspended.

In 1946 it became a dinner theatre called the Guild Cafe Theatre until closing in 1950.

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Princess Theatre (opened 1888)

Brisbane Theatre History Princess Theatre WoolloongabbaThe Princess Theatre (8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba). Built in 1888, Queensland’s oldest-standing theatre, a heritage-listed building, and is Brisbanes only surviving colonial theatre. When it opened on 6 April 1889, the theatre was known as the South Brisbane Public Hall. It had many name changes including the Boggo Road Hall, the New Theatre Royal, and the Boggo Road Theatre, before being named the Princess Theatre in 1894 after the owner sold the property to his father (and former Mayor).

The design made it appropriate for musical and theatrical performances as well as for special events. Six dressing rooms were situated under the stage. The stage, was larger than either the Gaiety Theatre or the Theatre Royal, was fitted with fly gallery. The auditorium had a seating capacity of 700.

In 1893 a flood swept away the only bridge connecting the two sides of the city making access to/from the Princess Theatre impossible for most.  Hence the theatre fell silent.

In 1899 the Princess was sold to Thomas Finney who turned it into a clothing factory; Finney, however, did allow the Princess to be used for sporadic performances.

John Burke Dent took control of the theatre in 1912 and this marked the beginning of the Princess life as a picture theatre; being wired for sound in the late 1920s. Some of Brisbanes burgeoning little theatre companies performed in the Princess during the 1930s.

The Entertainment Unit of the American Armed Forces took possession of the Princess during World War II and used it for rehearsals.

After the war many different community groups used the Princess for various performances. The last live performance at the Princess took place in 1948 with the theatre being used for a variety of non-theatre related purposes until the mid 1980s; at different times it was a paper warehouse, a bookbindery, the base for an engineering firm, and a second-hand furniture shop.

Brisbane Princess Theatre sketch front facadeIn 1985 the property was acquired by REMM Group Ltd, who carried out external restoration, and offered TN! Theatre Company a ten year lease from 1986. Internal restoration and refitting was carried out by TN! and it became the home of TN! Theatre Company until the company folded in 1991.

The theatre was sold in 1992 for $451,000.

The theatre became a venue for music and community theatre. Rock and Roll Circus moved in. Then, in 1999 when it became apparent that the Princess was in grave danger of being developed into a medical centre, the Community Princess Revival Association was formed to take management control for the theatre in early 1999.

The Lifecity Church took over the building for church services in February 2001, and purchased the building in 2003.

In recent years the Princess Theatre has experienced an extensive refurbishment, and is now a rental venue with a seating capacity of between 320 and 400.

In 2020 it was listed for sale.

Princess Theatre WolloongabbaBrisbane Theatre History Princess Theatre press articleIn April 2021, the owners announced the purchase and revitalisation of the 133-year-old Princess Theatre.   Helmed by brothers Steve Sleswick and Dave Sleswick (owners of The Tivoli), alongside Brisbane businessman Steve Wilson, announced that it will reopen in August 2021 with a program of world-class music and live arts. The restored heritage building will have a standing capacity of 900, a seated capacity of 500 and an array of private event spaces featuring 4 bars, a public café, private event spaces, a rehearsal room, a co-working creative office and workshop space, and an outdoor courtyard. The Princess will also give a permanent home and workshop space to one of Queensland’s premier independent arts organizations – visual theatre company Dead Puppet Society.

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Albion Public Hall (1888-2014)

Brisbane Theatre History Albion Public HallThe Albion Public Hall (344 Sandgate Road) opened on 9 May 1888 and was used as a multi-function space for meetings and events, but also used for live theatrical shows such as drama, vaudeville and minstrel shows as well as used as a dance hall.

In 1918, it was converted into a permanent cinema known as the Empire Picture Theatre, yet still continued to be used for other purposes when required.

It became the Capitol Theatre in 1934, and operated until 1968.

In 2014, the building was entirely redeveloped as a shopping mall.

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Exhibition Building [2] (opened 1891)

Brisbane Theatre History Exhibition BuildingFinancial difficulties and the possibility of importing a prefabricated building from England delayed the construction of the new Exhibition Building until 1890. The passing of government act in 1890 legally allowed the National Association to become owners of the land they occupied and also empowered them to borrow money from the Government to erect its new building. The foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1891

The newly re-built Exhibition Building, also known as the Exhibition Concert Hall (480 Gregory Terrace) opened in August 1891. Estimated to cost around £20 000 for a T-shaped building, accommodating an exhibition hall, concert hall and basement dining room.  It became a substantial musical venue in 1891 owned by the Queensland National Agricultural & Industrial Association.  This imposing building was built primarily to hold exhibitions, concerts and large scale musical entertainments.  The concert hall accommodated 2,800 people and had a gallery on three sides, and included a pipe organ.

The building was built of brick with a corrugated iron roof. The Exhibition Concert Hall occupied the shaft section of the T shaped building with the Exhibition Hall located at the top. On the northern side of the Exhibition Hall was a colonnaded verandah, with access to the hall through french doors. Half the area beneath the Exhibition Hall was a large open dining room with an adjacent kitchen. Both the Exhibition Hall and the Exhibition Concert Hall had projecting porte cocheres. The main entrance was on Bowen Bridge Road with the carriage drive running in front of the Concert Hall porte cochere, around into the porte cochere of the Exhibition Hall then curving out to the gate on Gregory Terrace.

In 1897 the responsibility of repaying the government loan, combined with the depressed economic conditions of the 1890s, caused the Association to go into liquidation and the government to take over ownership of the building. The concert hall continued to be used for its original purpose.

In 1900 the Brisbane City Council, following the purchase of the Exhibition Concert Hall’s purpose built organ, leased the hall from the Government and organised a program of regular concerts and civic functions.

On October 27 and 29, 1902, Dame Nellie Melba gave 2 concerts held in the Exhibition Concert Hall.

At the same time, the Queensland Museum decided to move to and adapt the Exhibition Hall for a museum, after twenty years in a comparatively smaller purpose built building in William Street. Tenders for altering the Exhibition Hall into a museum were called in March 1899 and involved the construction of a gallery within the main hall, addition of a line of windows in the main northern wall to light the new gallery and modifications to the basement dining room to provide offices, preparation and storage spaces.

In 1930, following the opening of its City Hall auditorium, the Brisbane City Council vacated the Exhibition Concert Hall and the space was converted to an art gallery. The City Hall became the main concert venue in Brisbane.

In 1974 the Queensland Museum then expanded into the space and remained in the building until 1987 when they moved to the South Bank precinct.

It was State Heritage listed on 21 October 1992 and has been the temporary home of the Queensland Youth Orchestra, the Restaurant and Caterers Association and various other short term activities. Only minor changes have been made to the building to accommodate these uses.

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DEMOLISHED

Empire Chambers (1898-1990)

Brisbane Theatre History Empire Chambers 1In 1898 a two-storey building was erected on the northwest corner of Queen and Wharf Streets, to a design by Robin Dods. It had a frontage of 60ft to Queen Street and 100ft to Wharf Street. In 1904 the premises on the corner at ground level were remodeled as offices for the shipping company, Howard Smith & Company, and the upper floor was partitioned as offices, which were named Empire Chambers at 416-422 Queen Street.

By 1923 there was a strong demand for office space in Brisbane, and it was decided to extend this building by adding another four floors of office space. The project was designed by Lange Powell, and it was erected by Henry Roberts in 1923-24.

Empire Chambers 1932 Remodelling Queen StThe expanded Empire Chambers was hired for many years by The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society, where a teaching studio was used as a rehearsal room for 30 shillings a week which provided a permanent office and a venue for meetings and play readings. The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society also rented the Empire Chambers small hall which had a stage and front curtain, and used the Empire Chambers boardroom-cum-Library for a dressing room which the thespians protected with bringing bed sheets and mirrors from their homes. These spaces continued to be used as theatrical space right through World War II.

The Twelfth Night Theatre Company’s first production was also presented in March 1936 in the Empire Chambers.

Empire Chambers was demolished in the 1990’s.

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Lyceum Theatre (1909-1964)

Brisbane Theatre History Lyceum TheatreThe Lyceum (346 George Street between the Queen Street Mall and Roma Street Transit Centre) opened on April 10, 1909 and was noted for its live performances. Built by Edinburgh-born Edward McGregor, a patron of the arts and owner of the Grosvenor Hotel, it was Brisbane’s first ~800 capacity music hall vaudeville and variety picture palace and Queensland’s first purpose-built silent movie theatre with an orchestra pit.

In the 1920s, The Lyceum (aka Kings Lyceum) was renamed Elite Theatre. Following major upgrading of the building and auditorium to reopen on March 21,1927, it reverted back to The Lyceum name. Extensively renovated again in December 1936. McGregor ran The Lyceum / Elite until his death in 1939.

The Lyceum was the scene of tragedy on August 18, 1942, at the height of World War II when U.S. Corporal Leon Begay telephoned 33-year-old usherette Lilliam Gwendoline Lloyd, an ex-girlfriend, to say he was going to kill her and her boyfriend. Ms. Lloyd hid in a dressing room, where she was shot twice before Corporal Begay turned the gun onto himself and died in hospital that night. Ms. Lloyd survived the attack.

In 1964 the Lyceum Theatre closed.

Brisbane Theatre Lyceum InteriorIn 1965 refurbishment of the auditorium walls with Romanesque plasterwork around arched niches occurred when Greater Union bought The Lyceum and reopened it as The Cinema George.  The re-developed entertainment space housed a 50-foot curved screen, the largest screen in Australia at the time, along with sensors which saw the cinema vibrate along with earthquakes and rollercoasters on screen. Brisbane Theatre History Lyceum Cinema George Fall of the Roman EmptteOn September 15, 1965 The Cinema George opened its 1st film “The Fall of the Roman Empire”.

The Cinema George operated until 1991 until multiplexes pushed it out of business, and it remained closed until 1994 when the Dendy cinema chain took over and split the theatre into 2 cinemas, seating provided for 250 and 216 and renaming it as the Dendy Cinema. Owned by Mel Gibson, the group kept the Dendy Cinema running until December 28, 2008.

By 2010, Tribal Travel Agency had purchased the site, operating from the foyer whilst the cinemas ran cult cinema events since March 11, 2010. Before it closed, the Tribal Theatre was Brisbane’s only art house cinema and hosted the Brisbane International Film Festival until November 25, 2011.

In 2018 the church ‘Hillsong’ had taken over the historical Lyceum / Elite / George / Denny / Tribal Theatre and stripped much of its heritage features in extensive renovations creating a 600-seat space for church’s services. The ‘Hillsong Theatre’ had its official opening December 21, 2018

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Cremorne Theatre (1911-1954)

Brisbane Theatre History CremorneThe Cremorne Theatre (on the South Bank of the river near the Victoria Bridge, on the corner of Melbourne Street and Stanley Quay) an open-air venue, on land which was then owned by the Queensland Deposit Bank, opened in August 1911, and had a seating capacity of 1,800. There was a ceiling above the stage area which was lit by electric lights. The floor of the auditorium was covered in bark and seats were arranged in a semi-circle around the stage. It was little more than a huge timber and iron barn, but lacked protection from the weather, a constant dilemma for original owner Edward Branscombe with what to do with his audience if it unexpectedly rained during a performance. Advertisements reminded people that entertainments are given in wet or fine weather, as the theatre is protected by waterproof coverings.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer John McCallumJohn Neil Clark McCallum (father of noted Australian actor John Neil McCallum Jr.) was the first owner/manager of the most popular live Cremorne Theatre, which he purchased from Branscombe on May 27, 1916.

Ongoing early renovations were undertaken in an attempt to help the theatre better stand up to Brisbanes summer rain. In 1916, Cremorne was fitted with waterproof tarpaulin operated by a system of ropes & pulleys, with side screens making it essentially a large canvas hall. They also installed a large gutter which was designed to drain all the water from the overhead awnings, keeping the floor dry. When the system worked, it gave protection from rain, wind and cold. Later, the theatre eventually gained a proper roof.

From 1917 to 1919 McCallum engaged variety companies to play up to 9 months without a break. By 1919 major alterations such as a roof, extended backstage areas and increased seating capacity to 3,000 enabled the production of large-scale spectaculars and operas at the Cremorne Theatre.

In 1934 McCallum responded to the increasing competition from the film industry and adapted the Cremorne Theatre to make it suitable for films, by adding a sound system and halving the width of the auditorium by adding false walls, reducing the seating capacity  to 1,300 but also effectively improved the acoustics and the ventilation. He leased it to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer until 1940 when vaudeville returned with the arrival of large numbers of Australian and American military personnel. Many high-profile entertainers were engaged – such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Larry Adler, Artie Shaw and Gary Cooper played the Cremorne Theatre.

After another renovation, the Cremorne Theatre managed to dominate the professional theatre scene in Brisbane for another decade. The popular appeal of vaudeville declined after World War II. Ceasing to operate as a vaudeville venue in 1949, the space was used by the Brisbane Opera Society and the Queensland Theatre Guild until 1951. The last recorded program was for a production of THE DESERT SONG by the Musical and Theatre Guild of Queensland on 3 May 1952 before the Cremorne was sold to major film distributor Universal-International Pictures and then converted into offices.

Brisbane Theatre History Cremorne FireMcCallum operated the theatre until it was destroyed by fire on 18 February 1954, the cause was the combustion of the inflammable film. The fire attracted a crowd of about 41,000 who watched firemen battle the blaze. Damage was estimated at £100,000

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DEMOLISHED

Albert Hall [2] (1901-1969)

Brisbane Theatre History Albert Hall MethodistsThe second Albert Hall opened in 1901 (Albert Street between Ann and Turbot Streets). The main function hall had a seating capacity of 450. The medium-sized Albert Hall was a popular concert venue used by local musical groups, magic shows, cooking demonstrations and choral groups as well as visiting performers and university drama societies.

The second level housed the offices of the Central Methodist Mission. During the depression Albert Hall served as a soup kitchen.

After it was renovated in 1940 with a new design removing the floor and making it into a large space to allow for 720 seats, it became a popular venue for various local companies including Twelfth Night Theatre Co., Brisbane Arts Theatre, Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society, Brisbane Opera Society and Musica Viva.

During the 1940s and ’50s, there were up to 100 events held there a year, so it was a very busy hall.

The final performance held in Albert Hall was a Gala Revue on 28 April 1969.

The Queensland Government purchased the site in 1969 from the Methodist Church and demolished it to make way for the new S.G.I.O. offices and the new S.G.I.O. Theatre.

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Tivoli Gardens Theatre (1907-1908)

Brisbane Theatre History Tivoli Gardens Theatre AdThree theatre locations for a purpose built moveable 1,000 seat theatrical venue in three months.  The busiest and shortest lifespan of any venue perhaps.

Tivoli Gardens Theatre #1 (1907-1907)

Opened in 1907, the first Tivoli Gardens Theatre (on Hamilton Road, between Hunt and Cooksley Streets) was a tent that could hold 1,000 patrons in a raised configuration with it’s own stage and dressing rooms, erected on 4 acres of land at the Breakfast Creek-end of Hamilton Road (now Sir Kingsford Smith Drive). It was a popular,  open-air theatre famous for its Vaudevillian acts. Miss Bella Sutherland, a famous performer on the vaudevillian circuit famous for her singing both in Australia and internationally, established the theatre.

Equipped with a large stage, acetylene lighting (a form of gas lighting) and decoratively painted scenery. At the time, it was said “the appointments are right up to date, the seating accommodation is splendid, and the scenery and other effects are above the ordinary”.

The Tivoli Gardens Theatre shows proved to be popular with Brisbane residents, who made the trip along the riverfront to Hamilton by tram.

Outside the theatre in a garden, tables and seats were provided for pre and post show refreshments accompanied by a brass band.  To add to the fun, a kinetoscope, the precursor to cinema, could be viewed in the garden. This was a small timber cabinet where a series of images were conveyed over a light, creating an impression of movement. The ‘moving picture’ was viewed through a small window at the top of the cabinet.

Tivoli Theatre #2 (1907-1907)

Two weeks later on April 15, Sutherland relocated the Tivoli Theatre Under Canvas tent to a vacant block of land near the city’s Botanical Gardens. It is identified as being next to the Metropolitan Hotel in Edward Street, on the south side of Hamilton Road, and the new location allowed for lower ticket prices.

Tivoli Theatre #3 (1907-1908)

On April 23, she transported the venue across the street to the north side of Hamilton Road, between Racecourse Road and Allen Street.

Brisbane Theatre History Tivoli Gardens Theatre Ad for SaleBy the 22nd of May 1907, the Tivoli Gardens Theatre closed down likely due to the cold weather. It appears that Sutherland decided not to reopen for summer and on February 8, 1908 put the premises up for sale by auction, described as a new stage building about 30ft 30ft, of first class timber, with iron roof, along with 100 school forms, wooden galley, drops and scenery, 1,000 ft of barbed wire, 10 marbles tables with iron frames, various tassels, seats, signboards, glass showcases, closets, urinals and a complete acetylene gas plant with piping, lamps and burners for 36 stage lights.Top of Brisbane Theatre History Page

DEMOLISHED

Brisbane Festival Hall (1910-2003)

Brisbane Theatre History Festival Hall 1959Brisbane Festival Hall (Albert Street and Charlotte Street) was an indoor arena originally known as Brisbane Stadium, built in 1910 as a boxing stadium, but as the popularity of boxing and wrestling waned after the introduction of TV, it began to be used more often as a venue for concerts and theatrical presentations.

Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Johnnie Ray played there in the 1950s.

In 1958, the venue was demolished and a new building constructed in a postwar modern style, similar to its namesake, the Royal Festival Hall in London, as part of the Centenary of Queensland.

It opened on 27 April 1959 and named Festival Hall with a capacity of 4,000 people, it was the largest indoor public venue for more than forty years.

Brisbane Festival Hall Entertainment Centre 1959

On 28 June 1964, The Beatles played the first of four concerts at the venue.

Boxing events for the 1982 Commonwealth Games were held at Festival Hall.

Some early performances were done by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bolshoi Ballet.

Brisbane theatre History Festvial Hall exteriorFestival Hall hosted performances for virtually every major tour by visiting overseas artists. The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Rick Wakeman, Ike & Tina Turner, Glenn Campbell, Little Richard, The Bee Gees, Ray Charles, The Kinks, The Seekers, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, The Ramones, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Phil Collins, INXS, Madness, The Cure, Nirvana, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy Osbourne, Moby, Björk, Sex Pistols, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Beck and Blondie.

The final concert held there, Michael Franti and Spearhead, took place on 9 August 2003, and the Festival Hall closed on 29 August 2003, and demolished to make way for an apartment development known as Festival Towers.

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Empire Theatre (1911-1986)

Brisbane Theatre History EmpireThe Empire Theatre (176 Albert Street between Queen and Elizabeth Streets) opened on 14 January 1911 as a purpose-built vaudeville house after a season extending over 315 weeks in the Theatre Royal, Ted Holland decided that Brisbane could support its own purpose-built vaudeville house and was instrumental in the development of the Empire.

Its first managers were Ted Holland and Percy St. John — both vaudeville performers themselves — and the theatre often advertised featuring Ted Holland’s Vaudeville Entertainer’s.

Brisbane Theatre Empire Bill for Ted HollandConsidered one of the finest purpose-built vaudeville theatres in the southern hemisphere at the time of its opening.  Apparently there was not a seat which did not command a good view of the stage and the seating layout, size and spacing, allowed great convenience and comfort.

The most beautifully furnished part of the theatre was naturally second floor lounge balcony and dress circle. Ringed by portraits of well-known theatrical identities, this area included “a commodious ladies cloak room and a retiring room fixed with marble wash basins and accessories. Interestingly, the dress circle did not have steps, but rather a gently sloping floor.  Another feature of the theatre was a long balcony lounge that ran along one side of the dress circle.

After Ted Holland and Percy St. John died (Ted in September 1914 and Percy in 1915), the venue transitioned to the management of Benjamin and John Fuller, rebranding and renovating as Fuller’s Empire Theatre in January 1918. Fuller’s Theatres and Vaudeville Ltd. became the promoting company.

The Empire was converted into a movie theatre and renamed the St. James Theatre on 19 April 1930 to take advantage of the new “talkie” phenomenon.  Occasionally live revues would be staged until at least the end of WWII.

However, with its final renovation in 1965 it was again renamed becoming the Paris Picture Theatre (also known as the Paris Theatre) and it was exclusively used for cinema.

The Paris Theatre was demolished in 1986 and is now part of the Myer Centre.

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West’s Olympia Theatre (1910-1950)

Wests Olympia Picture Theatre Queen StThe Church of England owned the land at the corner of Queen Street and North Quay which was occupied by The Longreach Hotel, dating back to 1877. The site had originally been a residential establishment, but the lessee subsequently managed to obtain a publican’s license, despite the disapproval of the Church. When the lease expired, the Church refused to renew it, and in 1908 the Longreach Hotel closed.

The Church needed to find a new tenant for the old hotel building, The solution came in the form of Thomas J. West, whose company, West’s Pictures, was one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry in Australia.

In 1909 West’s Pictures had been screening in the Centennial Hall in Adelaide Street, and they entered into an agreement with the Church of England to erected West’s Olympia Theatre (aka Olympia Theatre), a 2,000 seat venue at 2-8 Queen Street which incorporated the old Longreach Hotel building and opened on 27 May 1910 making it possibly Australia’s first purpose-built cinema.

The auditorium was built of brick, with a galvanized iron roof. As with all Brisbane theatres, ventilation was a major problem, and the new theatre had a large sliding roof. The entrance to the theatre was from the old hotel building on the corner of Queen Street and North Quay, from which a corridor led into the pit and stalls.

The auditorium was 120 ft in length and 65 ft wide. There were 1,500 seats at ground level, the cheapest made of plain timber, but the more expensive ones were swinging seats on iron frames. There were also 500 seats in the dress circle. The auditorium was decorated in somber colors which would not reflect light, and it was lit by electricity. The wooden floors were covered in rubber.

In the following years there were rapid developments in theatre design, and this pioneering structure must have soon looked rather shabby. The Olympia Theatre closed early in 1923, and the building was leased by the Barnes Auto Company. It was finally demolished around 1950 to make way for the new Prudential Assurance building.

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Martoo’s Olympia Theatre (1910-1928)

Brisbane Theatre History Olympia IpswichAlso known as Bossie Martoo’s Olympia, Bacelie (Bossie) Martoo ran Martoo’s Olympia Theatre in Gordon Street in Ipswich from 1910 until 1927. Brisbane Theatre History Olympia Ipswich news

He had a drapery business in Brisbane Street and a sports ground in Limestone and Gordon Streets that became the Olympia Theatre in 1910.

The South Street entrance was to the open-air theatre, and the other entrance on Limestone Street was for the covered theatre. The theatre had its own orchestra known as the Olympia Symphony Orchestra which accompanied the silent movies.

After Bossie’s death in 1927 the Olympia was leased and renamed the Tivoli, but it burnt down in 1928.

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DEMOLISHED

Bohemia Theatre (1912-1954)

Brisbane Theatre History Bohemia AdThe Bohemia Theatre (Stanley Street in South Brisbane) aka The Ritz, was built in 1912, where variety shows were presented frequently over the first decade of its existence. The Bohemia was also used for the staging of boxing and wrestling matches.

During the late 1920s Greater Brisbane Amusements held the lease on the Bohemia Theatre with a policy to keep the Bohemia closed so that it would not compete with the neighbouring Cremorne Theatre; therefore it was used primarily for meetings at this time.

The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society occasionally held performance at the Bohemia in the early 1930s but the theatre had closed down by 1935.

The Bohemia Theatre then became known as the Bohemia Stadium in 1939 when it was used as the Saturday night venue for wrestling.  The last bouts appear to have taken place there in April 1940.

In 1947 it was taken over by the Brisbane City Council, and leased out for use as a depot and store before being demolished in 1954 to make way for a car park fronting Stanley and Grey streets.

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DEMOLISHED

Pavilion Theatre (1912-1922)

Pavilion Theatre 1912 Queen StThe design of theatres had advanced rapidly in the 1st decade of the 1900’s. Early in July 1912 the city council approved the conversion of a substantial building, originally erected for the Brisbane Courier newspaper in 1881, into a “cinematograph theatre,” providing that the thickness of the walls was increased. The Pavilion Theatre at 159-163 Queen Street, opened on August 14th 1912.

Pavilion Theatre 1912 Drawing Queen StThe extravagantly decorated façade, all in white on a frontage of 29 ft, was a forerunner of the opulent excess which characterized much architecture before WWII with its molded arches, festoons, statuette in a niche, floral spandrels, heavy bracketed cornice, semi-circular pediment, and octagonal turrets, and all of this outlined and lit with electric bulbs. No information has been found regarding the interior, apart from the fact that the vestibule was marbled.

In 1922, after only 10 years of operation, the building was redeveloped as an auction mart, with offices. Much of the façade was removed. This building was demolished about 1980 to make way for a new building for Mathers Shoes.

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Palace Gardens (1912-1924)

Brisbane Theatre History Palace GardensThe Palace Gardens (corner of Ann St and North Quay), opened on 10 August 1912, with a seating capacity of 2,000. The management positioned it as the finest place of open air entertainment in the Commonwealth.

At various times the Palace Gardens became an open-air cinema, and presented drama and boxing.

The demand for open-air entertainment in Brisbane was higher than anywhere else in Australia due to tropical climate.  One of the benefits of the open-air venues was that audience members could smoke if they desired. The also maintained a roof garden for post-show suppers.

The managements of open-air theatres needed to gamble on the weather conditions for the success of their seasons.

The closure of the Palace Gardens was inevitable given that Brisbanes summers are usually wet.

The management decided to off-load the property and put it up for auction on 22 November, 1914. But that auction did not appear to have reached its reserved price because it was again put up for auction on 19 June, 1915. When it failed again to attract a buyer the management advertised a selection of items from the venue to be sold at auction, including light fittings, chairs, tarpaulins, ropes etc.

In March 1917 a third attempt to sell the property was made, with advertising pointing out its suitability as a theatre, fruit market, produce store, skating rink, residential flats or any wholesale business or factory. Several months later, on 1 August, 1915, the venue re-opened as a live theatre.

In about 1919, the Palace Gardens was given an iron roof in an attempt to overcome the obvious problems that beset open-air venues in Brisbane during its summer rainy season.

In January 1922, a venture by it’s lessee to fund a massive renovation failed, the theatre closed in 1924 and was subsequently demolished.

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DEMOLISHED

Elite Picture Gardens (1913-1923)

Brisbane Theatre History Elite Picture Gardens adThe Elite Picture Gardens (on Dixon Street near Wooloowin Railway Station) situated in a largely residential area which initially caused much civic debate as to whether a license would be granted. The open-air venue’s big drawcard was its close proximity to Wooloowin railway station and its relatively short distance to the Lutwyche Road tramline.

Throughout its life it was known as The Elite Picture Gardens, Elite Pictures, Elite Picture Pavilion and Elite Theatre.

Although few details regarding live entertainment, there is evidence available which suggests that live performances are believed to mostly involved Brisbane amateurs to appear as between films showings.

The Picture Gardens were also used for benefits and concerts, which often mixed together films, live performers and music – invariably performed by the house band (or “orchestra”).

In August 1914 the theatre was renovated and new seating installed.

In November 1919, a midnight fire in the Elite Picture Pavilion, as a result of arson by an 18 year old ex-employee (the pianist), destroyed the ticketing and management offices.

The business was acquired by Wooloowin Amusements Ltd, possibly in early 1923. The company demolished the building around 1924 and erected the Royal Picture Theatre in its place.

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DEMOLISHED

Majestic Theatre (1914-1981)

Majestic Theatre 1914 Interior Queen StThe Majestic was erected on a frontage of about 40 ft, at 177-181 Queen Street.

As with so many theatres of the period, the colorful exterior was intended as a promise of what was to be experienced inside. The wide awning at the upper level, supported on large brackets and roofed with Cordova tiles, was a reference to the Spanish Mission architecture which was then becoming so popular in the USA.

Majestic Theatre 1914 2 Queen StA stained-glass window below the awning and the large flambeaux on the parapet added further touches of fantasy. The vestibule was paved in mosaic tiles, with walls of polished marble, some of the latter being Italian and some from New South Wales. The box office was of solid marble, with nickel-plated mounts. A marble staircase led to the dress circle.

The auditorium was said to be in the Louis XVI style, with an Art Nouveau proscenium. It had seating for a thousand patrons, and the dress circle was constructed so as to dispense with supporting pillars, which would have blocked the view of those at the lower level. The ceiling had a central domed section decorated with garlands and putti, painted in blue and gold. The scalloped proscenium arch was a very strange mixture of rococo and Art Nouveau. The problem of ventilation was addressed with two electric fans, which forced purified and cooled air into the theatre. The ever-present danger of fire was ameliorated by the construction of a fireproof projection box.

Majestic Theatre 1914 Queen StIn 1929 the theatre was refurbished, with new furnishings, improved ventilation, and the all important sound projection facilities for the new talking pictures. In 1934 there were further improvements, including a large air-conditioning plant and new seats upholstered in rubber latex. It was at this time that a new electric sign was erected on the exterior.

In 1957 the Majestic was extensively remodeled and modernized, and it was renamed the Odeon Theatre.

The theatre was demolished in 1981 to make way for the first stage of the Wintergarden Centre.

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DEMOLISHED

Tivoli Complex (1915-1965)

Brisbane Theatre History Tivoli Theatre BrisbaneIn 1914, construction began on the new Tivoli Theatre Complex (Albert Street: if it existed today it would stand opposite City Hall in King George Square), and opened on Saturday 15 May 1915 with a vaudeville “The Tivoli Follies”

When it opened, the Tivoli was unique in Australia for combining two theatres in the one building; the design allowed for two separate companies to function autonomously with 2 distinct entrances for the audiences of the two separate theatres.. Throughout its early history, both venues were used for live performances as well as films.

Tivoli Theatre

The Tivoli Theatre main auditorium had a seating capacity of 2,800 people over three levels.

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Tivoli Roof Garden

The Tivoli Roof Garden Theatre had open sides which were designed to let breezes cool the audience while specially designed steel shutters could protect the audience from rain and this allowed it to be promoted as the Coolest Theatre in Australasia. It has a capacity of 1,200 people. Another attraction of the Tivoli Roof Garden Theatre was that smoking was allowed.

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The motion picture company Union Theatres Ltd. renovated the Tivoli Theatre in 1927. The basic design principle was to sacrifice the stage for the inclusion of more seats. The two galleries were removed to make way for a single dress circle, effectively decreasing the seating capacity 1,400

More renovations to the foyer as well as the auditoriums took place in 1935.

The Tivoli building was purchased by the Brisbane City Council in 1963 and closed in 1965.

It was demolished when King George Square was constructed.Top of Brisbane Theatre History Page

DEMOLISHED

Crystal Palace (1920-2000)

Brisbane Theatre History Crystal TheatreCrystal Palace (Lutwyche Road near the corner of Le Geyt Street) opened in 1920

Like many  cinemas prior to WWII, the Crystal Palace was a multi function theatre used for balls, dances, meetings, choirs, pantomime, plays, variety and clubs. It was also used by political parties, dance schools, local schools (during the 1920s and 1930s), and served as a polling booth.

The venue was known as the Windsor Picture Palace from 1920 to 1927, then (mostly) as the Crystal Palace until its closing.

Interestingly the Crystal Palace pioneered “the home of picture dancing,” with patrons offered a combination of film and dancing (together) on certain nights.

A fire broke out in the projection room on 12 February 1931 but was brought under control by the fire brigade but resulted in the loss of all the films currently held by the theatre.  In reporting the incident the Telegraph newspaper records that although the venue was crowded the patrons dispersed in a remarkably calm manner while the orchestra played a light fantasy.

From February until October 1938 it was known for one night each week as the Crystal Palace Dansant, where in addition to dancing, these evenings invariably included vaudeville and singing.

The venue appears to have operated exclusively as a cinema from 1940 onwards.

It closed down in 1999 and was demolished the following year.

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DEMOLISHED

Royal Picture Theatre (1923-1933)

Brisbane Theatre History Royal WooloowinThe Royal Picture Theatre (on Dixon Street near Wooloowin Railway Station) opened for business in October 1923.  In addition to motion pictures, the 1,400 seat fully-enclosed theatre was designed with live entertainment (including dressing rooms) along with special provision for dances, skating and similar entertainments.

In September 1927, an explosion due to a short circuit in an arc light being adjusted occurred in the projector room of the theatre, and caused almost total blindness to the projectionist.

In 1929 application was made for a dance floor and other re-modelling was approved.

In 1930 two theatrical impresarios from north Queensland combined to take over the lease, yet most of their income came from “mixing silent pictures at depression prices and skating“.

Throughout its lifespan, it was known as The Royal Picture Theatre, Royal Pictures and Wooloowin Picture Theatre.

Although the theatre initially attracted audiences due to its close proximity to Wooloowin railway station and the nearby Lutwyche Road tramline, competition from an increasing number of other cinemas and the unfolding Great Depression saw the Royal eventually struggle.

On May 16, 1933, the Wooloowin Picture Theatre was auctioned, with all sets sold off, and soon after demolished.

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DEMOLISHED

Wintergarden Theatre (1924-1981)

Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Auditorium Queen StThe Wintergarden Theatre (adjacent to His Majesty’s Theatre at 189 Queen Street, Brisbane). Opened on 1st August 1924 with the film “Where the North Begins” starring Rin Tin Tin. It was designed by Melbourne based architectural firm Ballantyne & Hare in association with Hall & Prentice of Brisbane for Union Theatres.

Billed as “More than a Theatre – a Revelation“,  the 2500-seat Wintergarden Theatre (1,500 in the raked stalls and 500 unusually large and ultra comfortable seats in the circle) with a proscenium 45ft wide and equipped with the biggest theatre organ in Australia, a Wurlitzer (relocated in 1937 to the Plaza Theatre in Sydney).

The Wintergarden Theatre had a Queen Street frontage of only 24 ft. From there the building widened out as it extended back to its Elizabeth Street frontage of about 100 ft. The total depth of the building was about 300 ft. It was constructed of steel and reinforced concrete. The ceiling to the auditorium was embossed with designs based on Australian plants and ferns; this allowed air to escape through the louvred vents in the galvanized iron roof. The ceiling was indirectly lit.

Brisbane Theatre History Wintergarden Theatre PressIt had open sides and steel roller shutters to open at will and the most advanced and sophisticated lighting scheme ever introduced into a theatre at the time with over 10,000 light points, in red, amber and blue, all hidden between coves and reflected on the ceiling dome.

Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Circle Foyer Queen StThe Wintergarden Theatre became air-conditioned in 1930.

In April 1935 it closed for three weeks to allow the complete redecoration of the interior: new rubber seating was installed, a large glass chandelier was erected, and the orchestra pit was covered.

The Wintergarden Theatre had an orchestra of 20 performers, led by Haydn Beck, acknowledged as Australia’s foremost conductor, and previously from J.C. Williamsons Ltd.

In 1937-38 new studios for the radio station 4BC were erected on the roof of the Winter Garden building, at the Queen Street end.

The Wintergarden Theatre continued in use until December 1973, when it was closed and the foyer was converted into retail use, and later a bank.

The auditorium was demolished in 1981, and later the remainder of the building was demolished to build the Wintergarden Centre on the site.

Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Proscenium After 1935 Remodelling Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 1981 Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Circle Foyer Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Main Studio Of Radio Station 4Bc 1938 Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Longitudinal Section Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Cross Section Queen St Winter Garden Theatre 1923 Aerial 1966 Queen St

The Wintergarden was purchased in February 2003 by ISPT, a property investment company, to invest $100 million redevelopment in 2010 – 2012.

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DEMOLISHED

Arcadia Theatre (1923-1952)

Brisbane Theatre History Arcadia TheatreThe Arcadia Theatre (corner of Racecourse Road and Kent Road) was a 3,000 seat semi-enclosed horseshoe-shaped theatre that opened in 1923.

Initially, a former vaudeville soprano active on the stage between ca. 1896 and 1916, known professionally as Eva Lee had acquired the old Elite Picture Gardens in 1923 with a plan to renovate the Elite Picture Gardens, but that was soon was scrapped in favour of erecting the Arcadia on a new site.

Eva Lee sold the business in 1929 and thereafter the Arcadia was owned and operated by several firms, each with a vested interest in combining films with live entertainment. A key innovation by the management was to engage a jazz band/orchestra to play music prior to the film programme. The musicians may also have provided musical entertainment during breaks and intermissions.

The Arcadia also played host to musical comedies, pantomime, radio broadcasts, community singing, local concerts and recitals, lectures, and political speeches and patriotic rallies.

In December 1929, the comedy farce “Charley’s Aunt” was presented by the producer of “The Merry Widow” and JC Williamson.

In 1931, the Arcadia was renovated including the full closure of the roof. An R.C.A. sound reproducing unit was also installed.

In 1935 a number of local businessmen came together to acquire the Arcadia and soon afterwards gave the building another renovation with provision of an emergency exit, neon awning and lighting upgrades, and with enlargements and upgrades to the stage and drapery to accommodate larger shows. It re-opened  in October 1935.  Over the next 14 years the Arcadia experimented with numerous ideas including community concert broadcasts (1935-1936) and recitals by local dance students.

Ascot Theatres Ltd was the last company to operate the Arcadia.

After it closed in 1949 the venue lay vacant until Savoy Theatres Ltd bought it in 1952.

The old building was then demolished and a new one erected in its place. This was known as the Ascot Theatre.

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Avalon Theatre (1923-2004)

Brisbane Theatre Avalon ExteriorThe Avalon theatre (172 Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia) was constructed as a Sunday School and community hall in 1923. Through its history it has also hosted church services, been a movie theatre, and served as a University of Queensland teaching and performance space.

The hall was constructed in 1923 at a cost of approximately £430 plus £115 to provide a piano, seating and lighting. Unfortunately it became apparent the Church could not afford to keep the hall and in 1926 it was sold to the St Lucia Improvement and Debating Society for £500 on the basis that it could still be used on Sundays for services (there being no Anglican church in the community at that time) and Sunday school. It became known as the St Lucia Progress Hall.

The building remained a community hall until the immediate post war period. While it had served as a cinema during WWII, in May 1947 it became Esquire Cinema.

By the mid 1950s the theatre was known as the St Lucia Theatre.

In July 1956 the property was sold to Henry and Dorothy Endres. An application was made and approval granted in 1958 to extend the theatre and to raise the ceiling to be 20 feet.

The property was acquired by the University of Queensland in February 1963. In 1975 the building was put into service as a University of Queensland teaching and performance space.

In 1970, The Schonell theatre opened, which impacted on Avalon. Performances previously held at the theatre were now moved to the Schonell.

While its doors have remained closed since 2004, The Avalon theatre is set for redevelopment.

Work began in February 2023 including site preparation, groundworks and structural bracing. The Avalon theatre is expected to reopen in early 2024 and initially will be used for teaching by University of Queensland’s drama program, for student-led performances and for UQU Clubs and Societies. Additionally, in February 2023, the University of Queensland said they have no redevelopment plans for the properties owned by the University adjacent to the theatre. The Avalon Theatre will also be available for local community groups and residents to use.

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DEMOLISHED

Wintergarden Ipswich (1925-1979)

Brisbane Theatre History Wintergarden IpswichThe Wintergarden Theatre located at 70 East Street, Ipswich, opened on 9th January 1925 with Lon Chaney in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. It was operated by the Birch, Carroll & Coyle chain who commissioned H.E.White to design the theatre. It seated 2000 people, had a promenade floor, 2 theatre boxes, an upper gallery and 2 palm courts. As a hybrid cinema and live performance venue, it was designed with full stage facilities including 12 dressing rooms underneath the stage. Brisbane Theatre History Wintergarden Ipswich newsThe large stage also made it suitable for ballroom dancing, vaudeville productions, strike meetings, screen tests (in front of audiences), children’s shows and performances by the Ipswich Wintergarden Ballet.

Soon after opening it was equipped for talkies with a Vitaphone sound system and and on 1st July 1929 Al Jolson in “The Jazz Singer” was its first sound film.

It suffered damage from a fire breaking out at 1:30am on 23rd October 1930 originating in the upper story auditorium seating, but repairs were quickly carried out and it re-opened in early-December 1930.

It was closed in 1979 after a free screening of the movie “Blue Fin“. The auditorium was demolished, but the front part of the building remained.  The Ipswich City Cinema was built on the site and opened in 1980. It was smaller and the first theatre to provide on-site parking.

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DEMOLISHED

All Saints Church Hall (1926-1988)

Brisbane All Saints HallAll Saints Anglican Church Hall at 32 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, was extended over the original hall’s foundations laid in 1884. The total cost of the alterations was about £6000 which was planned to repay over a period of 25 years.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Babette StephensThe new hall was used for the first time for a Missionary Day on February 13th, 1926. The social needs of young people were catered for by a Dramatic Society, and when entertainments in aid of parochial funds were abolished, a monthly parish social was instituted.

In 1939, Babette Stephens, AM MBE ran a very successful program of plays for Twelfth Night Theatre Company in the hall.

In 1988, the hall was sold and demolished for the construction of an adjacent highrise tower.

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RE-PURPOSED

Rialto Theatre (1926-1995)

Brisbane Theatre History RialtoThe Rialto Picture Theatre (corner of Hardgrave Road and Skinner Street, West End) was built in 1926 for Garricks Entertainment Ltd. built on the site of an old grocery shop.  Also known as the Rialto Theatre or simply the Rialto. Grander in scale than most Brisbane suburban theatres, it was purpose built as a cinema but also used as a venue for live theatrical productions.

The Rialto has had a number of ‘regenerations’ as owners and managers have attempted to relaunch the theatre in various cultural directions. The Rialto has been the venue for vaudeville shows, pantomimes, music concerts, and film screenings.

During the 1940s & 50s it was also used as a radio studio.

The Musical and Theatre Guild of Queensland performed there from 1952 after the closure of the Cremorne Theatre.

SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL 1956 Rialto ProgramDuring the late 1950’s and 1960s, television caused a decline in Brisbane cinema audience numbers and so it was used more for live theatrical shows.  Notable productions were: SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL in 1956, the Gibb brothers appeared in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK in 1960, Brisbane Theatre History Rialto Rocky Horror Show advertismentand in 1978 it hosted THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  Between live shows, The Rialto screened many Greek language films to meet the specific needs of the West End migrant community.

Nancy Weir purchased the theatre in 1983 and tried to revive the theatre with musical and variety productions, but it was sold again in 1987.

From its reopening in 1988 it continued to provide a venue for touring productions and community groups including: annual Gang Shows, The Phillipe Genty company, Roll Back the Years vaudeville shows, and Hinge and Brackett in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST.

During this time it continued to screen films, however it ended its life as a theatre after a severe storm in 1995 when the building was unroofed during a double screening of “Clockwork Orange” and “Pulp Fiction”.

The Rialto was Local Heritage listed since 1 July 2002

The Rialto Theatre is no longer operational, and was adaptively reused as a location of a couple of restaurants.

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DEMOLISHED

Regent Theatre (1929-2010)

Brisbane Theatre History Regent Theatre Brisbane ca. 1955Hoyts Theatres Ltd built the Regent Theatre (167 Queen Street while the main body of the theatre was on Elizabeth Street between Albert and Edward Streets) as a venue to accommodate live performances and motion pictures equally. Opened on 8 November 1929 with “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929” which included an evening line-up of ‘georgeous’ stage spectacles and music from classical to jazz was provided by the Regent Grand Concert Orchestra. It was also the first publicly accessible building in Brisbane to be air-conditioned when it opened.

“A new era in theatrical entertainment in Brisbane was ushered in last night when Hoyts Theatres Ltd. opened the doors of the Regent Theatre to more than 3,000 people“, reported The Telegraph newspaper on the official gala charity opening of the Regent Theatre.

Regent Theatre 1927 Queen StApproval to build a lavish Regent Theatre in Brisbane, which would accommodate all classes of theatrical entertainment from opera to vaudeville and films, was granted by the City Council in 1926, at a time when ‘picture palaces’ were gaining popularity

The Regent Theatre had a seating capacity of approximately 2,500 in two tiers. A steel girder 108 ft wide was used to support the dress circle, so that there would be nothing below to obstruct the view of patrons in the stalls. Highlights in the auditorium were an elliptical dome in the main ceiling, chandelier, ornate proscenium arch, stage curtains, boxes, candelabra and orchestra pit which held 25 musicians, and it had a Wurlitzer organ which could be raised and lowered via a hydraulic mechanism. The shops facing Elizabeth Street sat underneath the stage. The total depth of the building was around 300 ft.

The Grand Lobby was 40 ft wide and 75 ft deep. The vaulted, frescoed ceiling floated above tall faux windows on either side, with intricate balconettes and pelmets, hung with drapes. The eastern side (towards Elizabeth Street) is the grand staircase, in Queensland marble, leads up to what was the entrance to the dress circle, under another large Gothic window. The entrances to the stalls were on either side of the staircase.

Regent Theatre 1927 Longitudinal Section Through Grand Lobby Left And Auditorium Queen St

Regent Theatre 1927 Proscenium Queen St

The auditorium was richly decorated. The walls were clad in bronze work in low relief, with piers of imitation travertine. The main chandelier hung from a sunburst dome. The stalls were raked. The proscenium was also elaborately decorated in bronze work, and there was a box on either side, beneath an arch. The stage was 56 ft wide and 28 ft deep, with an orchestra pit. There was a car park beneath the theatre, with room for 200 cars.

Brisbane Theatre History Regent Theatre Program Opening NightUntil 1978 when renovations were made gutting and rebuilding the auditorium as 4 four smaller
cinemas, the original auditorium existed which had a capacity for 2,583 with 1,400 in the stalls and 1,183 in the balcony.

The Regent Theatre, like other theatres of the time, offered a temporary escape from the harsh reality of life during the Depression. The theatre also showed newsreels, keeping audiences informed of current events, which was particularly important during WWII. The introduction of drive-in theatres from the mid 1950s and television from 1959 in Queensland were largely responsible for the decline in attendances at these large picture theatres. From the 1970s, cinema companies began constructing multiplexes to cater for smaller audience numbers watching a wider range of films.

Regent Theatre 1927 Dress Circle Queen St Regent Theatre 1927 Grand Lobby Queen St Regent Theatre 1927 Circle Promenade Queen St

The final performance in the original auditorium was on 29th July 1978 with a capacity audience attending a preview screening of “Thank God It’s Friday” plus selected film clips from 1929-1978.

Despite a ‘Save the Regent Campaign’, the auditorium was stripped of its fixtures and fittings in December 1978.

Workers began demolition on Saturday 9 December 1979. Newspaper reports indicate that seven or eight young men demolished the interior with sledge hammers, axes and chain saws. Plaster on the walls was broken up, the royal boxes destroyed, and seats either kicked in or thrown from the upper windows to the ground. The plaster decoration around the screen was destroyed although the ceiling remained intact on Monday 11 December.

Regent Theatre 1927 Aerial View April 1966 Queen St

After some delays during construction, the $5 million redevelopment opened on 2 August 1980, being known as the Hoyts Entertainment Centre.  A four-screen cinema complex with 1,978 seats was built, of which Cinema One was decorated similarly to the earlier theme. The original 1929-era front of house and main foyers in their Gothic style were retained as an entrance to the plain cinemas.

It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992

In February 2008, plans were put forward to close the Regent Theatre, retaining the heritage listed facade and main foyers which would become an entrance to a new office tower block, to be built on the site of the auditoriums.

Greater Union Event Theatres closed the Regent Theatre on 5th June 2010 with “Titanic”, “Casablanca”, “Sex in the City” and “Lord of the Rings” being the final films screened.

In November 2011, scaffold was erected on the front entrance to the building, in preparation for its demolition/conversion into the new office tower entrance. Demolition of the auditorium was completed in May 2012. The site of the auditorium remained an empty ‘hole in the ground’ in 2015.

A movement immediately began to restore the site to a functional live performance venue. https://www.facebook.com/RestoreTheRegent/ 

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City Hall (opened 1930)

Brisbane Theatre History City HallThe construction of a new City Hall, completed in 1930, provided a new and more centrally located civic auditorium. The organ was relocated from the Exhibition Concert Hall, and the City Hall became the main concert venue in Brisbane.

The hall been used for royal receptions, pageants, orchestral concerts, civic greetings, flower shows, school graduations and political meetings.

The Concert Hall and was so vast that early performers dubbed it the ‘two acre paddock’. It is the largest single volume space in the building and its circular design with fluted pilasters around the perimeter is based on the Pantheon of Rome. The walls of the auditorium have large, fluted Corinthian pilasters, in keeping with the Corinthian columns on the front facade. A decorative frieze runs above the stage features a classically-inspired design of nymphs playing trumpets and cymbals.

In 2008, it was discovered that the building had severe structural problems.

After a three-year restoration, it re-opened on 6 April 2013.

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DEMOLISHED

Cloudland (1940-1982)

Brisbane Theatre History CloudlandThe Cloudland Dance Hall was constructed in 1939–40, originally called Luna Park, opened on 2 August 1940 as a hilltop entertainment venue located in Bowen Hills. Cloudland was the epitome of a multi-functional space used for numerous formal balls, concerts, theatre performance, rehearsal space, dances, civic events, school and university examinations and later, a marketplace. It was the largest building of its type in Brisbane.

Cloudland’s distinctive parabolic laminated roof arch was highly visible. A funicular railway ran from the tram stop on Breakfast Creek Road carrying people to the rear of the Ballroom. The funicular was dismantled in 1967 and turned into a car park.

Cloudland 1950 Interior Ballroom DanceSoon after Cloudland was opened the building was abandoned until 1942 when it was used by the American military. They arrived shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941. As a gift to the people of Brisbane, the dance floor was rebuilt by the US military. The smooth hard floor was constructed of one inch tongue and groove boards that ran the length of the ballroom. The close-fitting narrow boards were not nailed. The floor area reserved for dancing sat on huge metal coil springs placed uniformly underneath the bearers so that dancers could feel and see the movement of the boards beneath their feet.

Music for the dancers was provided by resident bands and vocal performers from the time of Cloudland’s reopening after the war until its closure. Cloudland Ballroom was said to be the finest ballroom in Australia.

When Cloudland was re-opened after the war, the name Luna Park was dropped and the building was known as Cloudland Ballroom.

Cloudland Brisbane exterior closeup
Cloudland Brisbane pre demolition
Cloudland Brisbane interior ballroom
Cloudland Brisbane ballroom
Cloudland Brisbane interior
Cloudland Brisbane cone
Cloudland Brisbane hill
Cloudland Brisbane railing detail
Cloudland Brisbane collumn detail
Cloudland Brisbane band shell
Cloudland Brisbane stairs
Cloudland Brisbane entrance
Cloudland Brisbane entrance closeup
Cloudland Brisbane staircase
Other features of the interior were huge decorative columns, sweeping curtains, domed sky lights and chandeliers. The dance floor was framed by private alcoves, decorative curtains, a domed skylights and chandeliers. Cloudland also had an upper circle of tiered seating which overlooked the floor and stage.

Cloudland was purchased by sisters, Mya Winters and Francis Rouch, for £16,000 and re-opened on 24th April 1947.

On 2 September 1948, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh visited after performing the play THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at Her Majesty’s Theatre for a débutants ball for the “Royal Society of St George”.

As a concert music venue from the 1950s through to the 1980s, Cloudland was the home of Australian and international musical acts, including a number of notable events. It hosted 3 of the 6 concerts performed by rock ‘n’ roll legend Buddy Holly on his only Australian tour in February 1958. Other famous acts performing at Cloudland include Johnny O’Keefe, Tony Worsley and The Blue Jays, Normie Rowe, Ronnie Burns and Mike Furber, Split Enz, XTC, The Sports, Cold Chisel, The Stray Cats, The Saints, Australian Crawl, Echo & the Bunnymen, Midnight Oil, UB40, The Bee Gees, Little Pattie, The Go-Betweens, and The Clash. In 1980,a young Keith Urban won “best young male” at the ABC Country Music Show at Cloudland..

In the 1960’s, a huge mirror ball was installed over the ballroom’s floor.

In the 1970’s until 1982 the space was used occasionally for events, and as a rehearsal space for The Queensland Theatre Company.

Despite strenuous public calls for its preservation, the building was demolished overnight on 7 November 1982 and subsequently developed into an apartment complex. The demolition was done by the Deen Brothers, a demolition company often used by the state government, the Brisbane City Council and the “white shoe brigade” for controversial demolition projects.

The demolition took place despite there being no permit and in spite of its National Trust listing. The maximum fine for demolishing National Trust-listed buildings was $200; the Cloudland penalty was only $125.

Cloudland 1996 plaqueIt wasn’t only the public who weren’t warned of the impending demolition of Cloudland; the State government and the building’s owner had also failed to notify the Brisbane City Council, from whom they required permission in order to legally carry out the demolition. Although Cloudland was not owned by the government (it was owned by real estate promoter Peter Kurts), the media and the public still held Queensland Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and his Country Party personally responsible for failing to protect Brisbane’s heritage.

Remembering it’s legacy:

  • Midnight Oil, who had played at Cloudland many times, immortalized the demolition in their song “Dreamworld” (from the Diesel and Dust LP) which attacked the greed of the pro-development forces.
  • In 1983, Queensland Theatre Company actors Darien Sticklen and Peter Noble wrote a boutique musical called CLOUDLAND which was presented by the Queensland Theatre Company Tangent Productions, directed by Gregory Gesch, at the Redcliffe Community Centre in October 1984, and then transferred to the Edward Street Theatre in November 1984.

Brisbane Theatre History Cloudland QTC Brisbane Program

  • In 2004, The Queensland Ballet Company presented Cloudland choreographed by Francois Klaus was premiered at the Energex Brisbane Festival at the Suncorp Theatre from September 24 to October 2, 2004 where designers Graham Maclean and Matt Scott re-created the atmosphere of Cloudland.
  • A sculpture in Cowlishaw Street is called Cloudland Memorial Arch and was created by Jamie Maclean.
  • The name of this venue was used in 2009 by a Brisbane Italian restaurant and nightclub located at 641 Ann St in the Fortitude Valley.

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RE-PURPOSED

The Ascot (1952-1969)

The Ascot (corner of Racecourse Road and Kent Road) opened on January 1953 with a charity night for the Red Cross.

Rather than restore the Arcadia Theatre on the site, the company demolished it and erected a new The Ascot at a cost of £45,000.  It was reported to be a prefabricated steel igloo with an elliptical ceiling for best acoustic effect, as well as to improve safety and reduce risk of fire.

The tram line which travelled past the Arcadia on Racecourse Road had contributed to its popularity with audiences from nearby suburbs for many years, but the arrival of television in 1956 was a major source of competition for cinemas for upwards of a decade.

The Ascot eventually closed in 1969. The final film screened at the Ascot was “It’s a Mad Mad World.”

A supermarket and chemist shop now stand on the site.

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DEMOLISHED

Gowrie Hall (1956-1970)

Gowrie Hall (39 Wickham Terrace) was a church hall that was transformed into a small theatre to complement Albert Hall, where major productions were staged.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Rhoda FelgateUnder Rhoda Felgate’s leadership, in 1948 the Twelfth Night Theatre Company leased the large 2-storey hall. The upper floor became a rehearsal and play-reading space seating 112, while the lower housed speech teachers and their studios. Rhoda Felgate invited Joan Whalley to join the Twelfth Night Theatre Company in 1951 after seeing her in an outdoor production of As You Like It where she played Rosalind.

In 1956, Gowrie Hall was acquired by the Twelfth Night Theatre Company. By 1966, all productions were staged at Gowrie Hall until its final production of Don’t Feed the Sharks which closed on 16 November, 1968.

The Twelfth Night Theatre Company learned that the Wilbur Smith plan for Brisbane’s development included a Turbot Street extension which in 1971 would absorb land along Wickham Terrace, including the site occupied by Gowrie Hall. The Twelfth Night Theatre Company was relocated from Gowrie Hall to the Twelfth Night Theatre on Cintra Road following the demolition of Gowrie Hall.

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Arts Theatre (opened 1961)

ARTS Theatre Brisbane exteriorBrisbane Arts Theatre (210 Petrie Terrace), was the first theatre company in Brisbane to operate its own theatre premises. With 152 seats and features a small courtyard and a bar.

The property, a former second-hand clothing store named Dan’s, was purchased in June 1959 for £6,000 and redeveloped as a theatre. Initially reported to seat 220, it opened in September 1961 with a single-level, raked 144-seat auditorium and a 10ft-deep stage. The first floor accommodated the costume department and office.

On 31 May 1964, the theatre was heavily damaged by fire, caused by an electrical fault in the toilet block. Upon initial assessment of the damage, the theatre director and insurance representatives agreed that the building could be repaired within a matter of weeks; however, smoldering materials ignited a second blaze at 8.30am, which resulted in extensive damage throughout.A new design for the renovation added a dress circle, increased stalls capacity, a 25 ft deep stage and two dressing rooms under the stage.

ARTS Theatre Brisbane interior
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 80s exterior
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 70s exterior
ARTS Theatre Brisbane stalls from stage
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 2022 entrance courtesy of Ray White
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 2022 auditorium courtesy of Ray White
ARTS Theatre Brisbane stalls interior
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 2022 aerial courtesy of Ray White
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 1998 interior
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 70s courtyard 2
ARTS Theatre Brisbane 70s courtyard
ARTS Theatre Brisbane exterior masks
The theatre reopened on 25 June 1965, the reconstruction totalling £20,000.

In the late 1960s, the adjoining Cottage was purchased for £6,000 and later, in August 1971, a two-storey building at 222 Petrie Terrace was added to the complex for $16,000 which housed the theatre’s wardrobe department and rehearsal space until its sale in 2011.

The previous two rehearsal venues were renovated between 1976 and 1978 at the same time as the construction of the theatre’s current office and bar. The Cottage was again refurbished following the sale of 222 Petrie Terrace in May 2011.

ARTS Theatre Brisbane Floorplan 2022

I had the honor and privilege of starring in a production of AND THE BIG MEN FLY in Jun/Jul 1980 and working in stage management on a couple of shows here.

A number of notable Australians have performed at Brisbane Arts Theatre, including Carol Burns, Michael Caton, Barry Otto, Jennifer Flowers, Kate Wilson (Foy), Toby Simkin. Ian Thomson and the late Wayne Goss, who would later become Premier of Queensland.

In July 2022, it was listed for sale via expression of interest, expected to range between AUD$1.8 and $2.6 million, with proceeds returning to the theatre company to operate on leaseback. In January 2023, the Ad Astra Theatre company, owned by Dan and Fiona Kennedy, acquired the site for AUD $3 million, saving the theatre from re-development into an apartment block.

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RE-PURPOSED

TAA / Club Theatre (opened 1965)

Brisbane Theatre History CALAMITY JANE TAA Theatre 1965 flyerOn May 20th, 1965 was the official opening of an intimate theatre called the TAA Theatre, additionally referred to as The Club Theatre, with the Brisbane Repertory Theatre production of CALAMITY JANE. This was only the 2nd time Brisbane Repertory Theatre had presented a musical, the first was 1066 AND ALL THAT at the Princess Theatre in 1940.

The theatre was built by converting a commercial building at 463 Adelaide Street, Petrie Bight (just past Atcherley House). Gloria Birdwood-Smith and her brother Alex Francis-Smith leased the auditorium and turned it into a theatre, the TAA Theatre.

After CALAMITY JANE, the next 3 productions by Brisbane Repertory Theatre played at the TAA Theatre.

The Club Theatre and Cultural Group was a nonprofit with no paid officials and the theatre was established for the benefit of all creative arts movements, providing a stage and facilities of a standard and size hitherto not available to Queensland artists, at a reasonable hire.

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DEMOLISHED

La Boite Theatre [1] (1967-1972)

Brisbane Theatre History La Boite 1The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society was founded in 1925 by a group of local theatre enthusiasts, the theatre company became known for its production of modern and innovative theatre. The group has performed in many theatres including Her Majesty’s, the Bohemia, Cremorne, Theatre Royal, Rialto, Old and New Albert Halls and held a lease on the Princess Theatre for several years. However, one by one theatres closed and with the demolition of the Albert Hall in 1967, the last available and affordable venue for productions in the central city area was lost.

The society acquired two timber cottages on the corner of Hale and Sexton Streets in the late 1950s for use as clubrooms. They then purchased adjoining properties and in 1967, Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society President Bruce Blocksidge (husband of Jennifer Blocksidge) had the idea that one of the old houses in their property portfolio could be converted into a theatre space.

The cottage at 57 Hale Street was converted into an intimate theatre-in-the-round which seated 70 people. With its interior walls ripped out and benches placed around the remaining walls, a performance space of 22 feet square was created.  It was named La Boite (The Box in French) by Bruce Blocksidge who thought of the name to acknowledge its box-like shape.

The first La Boite opened at 57 Hale Street on June 23, 1967 with a production of John Osborne’s drama LOOK BACK IN ANGER, directed by Babette Stephens and starring Bille Brown. New theatre Director Jennifer Blocksidge took the helm.

The remaining cottages were used as studio, workshop and storage areas.

Brisbane Repertory Theatre mounted more than 40 productions over the next 4 years and their space needs became pressing.

The theatre was demolished to make way for a new purpose built theatre on the same site in 1972

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DEMOLISHED

SGIO Theatre (1969-2007)

SGIO Theatre (Brisbane, QLD) AuditoriumA 611-seat proscenium theatre, The SGIO Theatre, Turbot Street, Brisbane opened in 1969, before the SGIO Tower was finished, and majestically hosted shows through the ’80’s.  Resident home of The Queensland Theatre Company, and host to many other companies.

The Queensland Government purchased the site, and the design of the State Government Insurance Office (SGIO) building was the result of an internal competition held by Conrad and Gargett in 1967. This competition was won by Keith Frost, who designed a stark 28 story high concrete building with a steel frame, modeled after the PanAm building in New York.  The most important feature of Frost’s design was the rotation of the building in relation to the city grid. This led to a north-south orientation to optimize internal sun control.

The building’s rotation however necessitated the acquisition of the adjacent plot from the Methodist Church, which was occupied by the Albert Hall on Albert Street, which was subsequently demolished to create a spacious forecourt with lavish water features. As compensation, the SGIO incorporated a 611 seat (medium size) theatre in its design, with input from several of the Brisbane theatre companies, along Turbot Street, which became the resident home of the Queensland Theatre Company.  

The SGIO Theatre official opening was on Tuesday 27th May 1969. 

The first Queensland Theatre Company production at the theatre was Peter Shaffer’s THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN which opened on 1 October 1969,

The SGIO Theatre was renamed the Suncorp Theatre in 1986

The Suncorp Theatre closed in late June 1998 when the Queensland Theatre Company relocated.   It’s final Queensland Theatre Company was a production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s HONOUR, directed by Robyn Nevin from June 4 – 20, 1998.  The Amalgamated Property Group took ownership of the theatre building.

A 35th anniversary commemoration of the theatre in 2004 for the Brisbane Energex Festival led to it being re-opened for four productions in September that year (THE GIGLI CONCERT / SANDAKAN THRENODY / CLOUDLAND / THE AMAZING MAGICIAN)

Sadly the Suncorp Theatre (or as I like to remember it, the SGIO Theatre) was demolished in July 2007 during the transition of Labor Party Premier’s Peter Beattie to Anna Bligh.

Much more about the SGIO Theatre / Suncorp Theatre

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Schonell Theatre (opened 1970)

Brisbane Theatre History Schonell Theatre Hamlet on Ice mural 1973The Schonell Theatre was constructed in 1970 as a 420 seat theatre for the price of the $600,000 at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus owned and operated by the University of Queensland Union (UQU).

In August 1981, the Schonell Theatre hosted the world premiere of STARSTUD by John Rush & Malcolm Cork for the TN! Theatre Company.

Brisbane Theatre History Schonell Theatre NewsThe theatre is still used for live theatre productions but in 2018 the University of Queensland announced a development plan that does not include the theatre as part of its $300 million renovation project, the university intends to demolish the UQ Union building that includes the Schonell Theatre.

A sustained campaign to save the St Lucia campus’ 50-year-old theatre began in 2019 after UQ released a redevelopment plan in which the UQ Union complex housing the theatre would be demolished.  In July 2021, new UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AO told ABC Radio the coronavirus pandemic had put a pause on the university’s capital expenditure program and allowed the university to reconsider its plans, and in about turn, now working with the student union and alumni, to understand how best redeveloping the student complex.

Brisbane Theatre History Schonell Theatre  Brisbane Theatre History Schnoell Theatre auditorium

Underneath the Schonell Theatre is The Cement Box Theatre.

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Cement Box Theatre (opened 1973)

Brisbane Theatre History The Cement Box TheatreShortly after the Schonell Theatre One was constructed in 1972/1973 within the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, the University of Queensland Union (UQU) also operated The Cement Box as a small studio theatre named after it’s cement bessa-block walls under the Schonell Theatre.

Wank 1972 Cement Box PosterFor the University of Queensland Dramatic Society, the first known public event was when Daniel Berrigan’s TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE directed by Joe MacColum received a staged reading in April 1972. John Bowen’s THE DISORDERLY WOMEN appears to be the 1st full production in September 1972, and Geoffrey Rush led a cast in Samuel Beckett’s ENDGAME in August 1973. A multi-media experimental piece of theatre by Peter Jordan called WANK WANK,  (aka ¡Wank!) Directed by Joe McColum supported by Bille Brown & Richard Fotheringham opened on October 19, 1972.

HAMLET ON ICE 1973 Cement Box Flyer AFThe first non-university commercial production was Frame and Kennett Promotions of HAMLET ON ICE which opened on September 4, 1973 running until October 7, 1973. Directed by Ken Kennett, Choreographed by Beverley Nevin, Designed by Gregory Gesch and starring Bille Brown, Arthur Frame and Geoffrey Rush.
It’s designer, Gregory Gesch recalls “the venue was under the Schonell theatre and was literally a pile of dirt heaped up on one side, a concrete floor and a wall of tin louvres that led to the carpark. We had to bring everything in… seating, lighting etc. etc.”

The Choir TNThroughout its life, The Cement Box has hosted fringe-style productions, shows presented by The University of Queensland Dramatic Society, with the occasional larger show that demanded an extremely intimate space. Errol Bray’s THE CHOIR had its Queensland premier here for the TN! Theatre Company.

It was home to the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble. The space featured industry standard sound and lighting and banked seating.

In late 2009 the venue was remodeled again, and is now used by the University as both a performance, workshop and a teaching space.

In 2010 The Cement Box was refurbished and renamed the Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio in honor of the University graduate and Academy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor.

In 2018 the University of Queensland announced a development plan that would demolish the UQ Union building that included The Cement Box Theatre.

In July 2021, new UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AO told ABC Radio the coronavirus pandemic had put a pause on the university’s capital expenditure program and allowed the university to reconsider its plans, and in about turn, now working with the student union and alumni, to understand how best to redevelop the student complex.

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Twelfth Night Theatre (opened 1971)

Brisbane Theatre History Twelfth NightThe Twelfth Night Theatre (4 Cintra Road, Bowen Hills) began construction (budgeted at half-million dollars) on 14 November 1969.

Twelfth Night Theatre Company was initially established as an amateur theatre company in 1936 by Rhoda Felgate (1901-1990), a drama teacher & theatre director whom created her own speech and drama studio forming an amateur theatre society to help her pupils called the Twelfth Night Players.

Originally located in Empire Chambers (1 Wharf St, corner of Queen & Wharf St), also known as Empire House, with a teaching studio, rehearsal room and a seating capacity of 104. In 1941, they leased a gymnasium at 51 Wickham Terrace. In the same year, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company was the first to put on a play at Albert Hall.

In 1948 the Twelfth Night Theatre Company obtained the lease of a large two-storey building adjoining the gymnasium at 51 Wickham Terrace. The upper floor became a rehearsal and play-reading space, and the lower housed speech teachers, including Felgate, and their studios. The Twelfth Night Speech and Drama School contributed to the strength of the Twelfth Night Theatre Company, at times providing economic stability.

In 1954, a Junior Twelfth Night Theatre Company was established to educate both primary and secondary school children, along with theatre workshop groups in speech, mime, stage techniques, make up and fencing. Productions using these students were held in the Wickham Terrace premises at the end of each term. The profits made from this junior theatre group were used to pay annual rent at Gowrie Hall.

In 1956 the Twelfth Night Theatre Company acquired Gowrie Hall (38 Wickham Terrace), a church hall that was converted into a little theatre to complement the Albert Hall, where major productions were staged. The upper area converted to a small theatre space, and the lower area for speech-training studios and dressing rooms. The Twelfth Night Theatre Company for a time operated out of a house in Abbotsford Road behind the yet to be built theatre.  Brisbane luminaries such as Carol Burns, June Finney and Joan Whalley (whom had previously lectured at NIDA) were teachers.  Sigrid Thornton was a student.

Brisbane Theatre History Pioneer Joan WhalleyJoan Whalley became Artistic Director of the Twelfth Night Theatre Company in 1962 and stayed in that position until 1976.  The Twelfth Night Theatre Company had previously performed in many theatre’s, predominately at the Princess Theatre, Albert Hall and at Gowrie Hall until its final production of DON’T FEED THE SHARKS which closed on 16 November, 1968.

In 1965, a Junior Twelfth Night Theatre School of Speech and Drama was formally established.

Twelfth Night Theatre Company was relocated from Gowrie Hall to its present location on Cintra Road following the demolition of Gowrie Hall due to the construction of the Turbot Street Bypass in 1971 which would pass through this hall. The Cintra Road land was sold, below value, to the Twelfth Night Theatre Company in 1966 by Brian and Marjorie Johnstone, who owned the adjacent Johnstone Gallery in an attempt to create a cultural enclave.

Prior to the construction of the Twelfth Night Theatre, there was a revival production of UNDER MILK WOOD by Dylan Thomas in a tent on the land where the theatre was built. (a production of UNDER MILK WOOD had previously been staged in Albert Hall in 1958 starring Barry Creyton).

The Twelfth Night Theatre Club opened just before the theatre on 12 February 1971 with cosy and intimate space in the basement of the Twelfth Night Theatre complex at Bowen Hills. The basement maintained a licensed club where women shared equal status with men.

The Twelfth Night Theatre opened on March 17, 1971 with its first mainstream production of A FLEA IN HER EAR BY Georges Feydeau directed by Twelfth Night Theatre Company‘s artistic director Joan Whalley,  The Twelfth Night Theatre Complex includes the main theatre with seating for 408, a stage 40 feet across, and an orchestra pit for musicals, plus a licensed club room and separate licensed restaurant in the basement area which has been used by for dinner theatre shows since July 2002.

By the time the Twelfth Night Theatre, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company which had been established as an amateur theatre company, was forced to turn professional in a bid to gain financial support from both the Queensland and Australian governments, and was now $186,000 in debt.  The Government could not offer further assistance as its condition for subsidy had been broken. A special rescue grant by federal and state sources was negotiated. The State Government and the Australian Council each provided $100,000. However, even after the Government relieved them of their financial liability, the company still found professionalism too costly. As a result the Twelfth Night Theatre complex was sold to the State Government who resold the theatre to recoup monies spent.

In 1979, the Twelfth Night Theatre Company, now operating under the name the T.N. Theatre Company (and later known as the TN! Theatre Company) was spun-off to operate solely as a performing company which would lease whatever premises as it required for performance.

PUPPET PEOPLE Gwen and Peter Iliffe 1974By 1980, Gweneth (Gwen) Iliffe and her puppeteer son Peter Iliffe had formed Rees Puppets, later to become The Puppet People, had leased the gutted Twelfth Night Theatre from the Queensland Government as a home for their puppetry productions. As the operators of the Twelfth Night Theatre, they sub-leased the theatre to other theatrical and puppetry groups, including the TN! Theatre Company for their various productions including THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1980), HAMLET (1981), ROMEO AND JULIET (1982) and presenting companies such as Clifford Hocking Enterprises Pty Ltd, Michael Edgley International, Phillip Street Theatre Productions and Philip Edmiston’s Queensland Marionette Theatre. BEES HEY etc 1977 Twelfth Night PosterThe Puppet People opened a revival of BEES HEY! etc on May 21, 1983. The Puppet People was a member of UNIMA, the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (International Puppetry Association) affiliated to UNESCO.

In 1988, the Queensland Government sold the Twelfth Night Theatre into private ownership to Gail Wiltshire who purchased the building, along with its debt of $1.3 million. Twelfth Night Theatre became the only privately owned theatre in Australia, not controlled by any commercially funded or government organization and received no public grants from either the Queensland State or Australian federal governments.

In 1986 the TN! Theatre Company took a 10-year lease of the Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba, and its last performance was in 1991 due to financial difficulties.

Twelfth Night Theatre remains the only privately owned theatre in Australia. It is not controlled by any commercially funded or government organization and receives no public grants from either the Queensland State or Australian Federal governments.

https://twelfthnighttheatre.com.au

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RE-PURPOSED

La Boite Theatre [2] (1972-2003)

Brisbane Theatre History La Boite entranceAs a result of the issues of the original La Boite theatre in the cottage, Brisbane City Council approved budget for a new La Boite Theatre replacing the converted cottage in 1971. It was also to be a theatre in the round, though this time designed and built for the purpose.

It was the first purpose-built arena theatre in Australia. The construction was financed by a dollar-for-dollar grant of $40,000 from the Queensland Government in November 1971. The original quote was for $100,000, but they reduced this to the available budget of $80,000 by modifying some details, reusing lighting and sound equipment from the old building and reducing costs for by utilizing reject bricks that had chipped corners or minor irregularities of shape effected a major saving.

The new La Boite Theatre at 69 Hale Street opened on 11 June 1972 and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 30 January 2004.

La Boite 2 Theatre Plans 1972

La Boite 2 Theatre Studio 2022In 1988, seats from the Expo 88 Russian Pavilion replaced the original seating.

In 1993 it became a professional company. As such, its needs were somewhat different than those of the amateur company for which the theatre was designed.

In 1996 La Boite Theatre Company incorporated as a non-profit organization.

On his appointment as Artistic Director in October 2000, Sean Mee recognized that the theatre had to be re-located as a matter of urgency. By 2003, with the increasingly overpowering presence of the neighboring Lang Park Football Stadium (now Suncorp Stadium) and the associated ever-growing road closures and traffic issues in the area, coupled with the near 30-year old theatres maintenance issues and outgrowing its 200 seat capacity, La Boite Theatre Company sought a new performance space.

A location was found when the Queensland University of Technology agreed to include a theatre building for the La Boite Theatre Company in its plans for a Creative Industries Precinct within Kelvin Grove. The Queensland Government funded the company’s move to the Roundhouse Theatre at Kelvin Grove.

Fittingly, the final production at 69 Hale Street was a revival of David Williamson’s THE REMOVALISTS, closing on September 6, 2003.

Front door of La Boite with Bill Wendy Parkinson Sean Mee photo of Jennifer Blocksidge Kylie Morris Muriel Watson Kaye Stevenson Rosemary Walker[photo] At the entrance to La Boite, Bill & Wendy Parkinson (long time subscribers), Sean Mee (Artistic Director) holding photo of Jennifer Blocksidge (the 1st ‘honorary’ Artistic Director) Kylie Morris (young actress), Muriel Watson (actresses from 1st play in cottage), Kaye Stevenson (former Board member and actress from 1st play in purpose-built theatre), & Rosemary Walker (longest serving employee).

By the end of 2003, after selling the Hale Street property for $1 million, the La Boite Theatre Company had moved into the $4.3 million purpose-built 400 seat Roundhouse Theatre complex with a 25 year lease.

The iconic heritage La Boite Theatre at 69 Hale Street was re-developed as a commercial office building.

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RE-PURPOSED

Gallery Theatre (1974-1981)

Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre Exterior 1974The Gallery Theatre at 15 Jordan Terrace Bowen Hills, opened on 23rd April 1974 with a production of the revue HERE WE ARE by Ken Kennett, Barry Brebner and Lance Reynolds, Directed by Arthur Frame and Ken Kennett.  It was a conversion of a large private home known as ‘Montana,’ constructed in 1918 on an expansive piece of land with terraced sculpture gardens with views to the river built for Lores Bonney, the first woman to circumnavigate Australia by air.

Arthur Frame hosted art and sculpture exhibitions in the foyer and downstairs, resulting in the name of The Gallery Theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre floorplanThe Frame and Kennett Promotions enterprise established the fully professional theatre company run entirely independent of Government funding. The house was converted to include a raised stage with 2 blocks of seating accommodating about 150 people, along with a box office built under one section of the seating, and a lighting and sound control space to the rear of the other.  Dressing rooms and showers, office and toilets were built in the rest of the house.

Other Frame and Kennett Promotions shows presented in the theatre included TV CRIMES, THE LITTLE DUTCH BOY, ALPHA BETA and a revival of HAMLET ON ICE (closing on September 28, 1974), before Arthur Frame continued management as the sole manager of the theatre.

Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre from Stage 1973 Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre from Seating 1973 Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre Brisbane Theatre History Gallery Theatre Construction 1974 HERE WE ARE Gallery Theatre Poster LITTLE DUTCH BOY Gallery Theatre Poster TV CRIMES Gallery Theatre Program  ADVENTURES IN PUPPETRY 1974 Gallery Theatre Program Cover HAMLET ON ICE 1974 Gallery Theatre Poster ENEMY 1974 Gallery Theatre Program Cover KASPAR 1974 Cement Box Program Cover CHRISTMAS CAROL 1974 Gallery Theatre Program Cover GINGES LAST STAND 1975 Gallery Theatre Program Cover PASSAGE TRIUMPH OF SOUND 1975 Gallery Theatre Program JESTERS 1975 Gallery Theatre Program Cover ALPHA BETA 1974 Gallery Theatre Program Cover Eohippus Now and Then 1975 Gallery Theatre Flyer

Entertaining Mr Sloan 1976 Treehouse TheatreWhen Arthur Frame left the Gallery Theatre the space became a youth activity centre and theatre named Treehouse Theatre. The Treehouse Young People’s Activity Centre held drama, movement, mime, pottery workshops plus instruction in music, puppetry, painting, kite and stilt making.

The last professional theatre production at Treehouse Theatre space previously known as the Gallery Theatre, was Joe Orton’s ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE which opened on October 11, 1976, Produced and directed by Gregory Gesch. Marking her professional theatre debut, it starred Pat Thomson, who received a national best actress award for her portrayal of Kath. Gregory Gesch co-starred as Sloan.

In the Treehouse Theatre, the Young TN’s Stage III Group presented its final production, TWISTED DICK, in May 1981.

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Conservatorium Theatre (opened 1975)

Brisbane Theatre history ConservatoriumThe Conservatorium was established by the state government and opened on 18 February 1957. The school was originally located in South Brisbane Town Hall. In 1971 the Conservatorium became autonomous from the state government as a College of Advanced Education, and in 1975 relocated to a new complex at Gardens Point. The school opened a second campus in Mackay in 1989, which became part of Central Queensland University in 1995.

The Conservatorium became an institution of Griffith University in 1991. As part of this amalgamation, the school moved into its current facility in the South Bank Parklands in 1996, and was renamed Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Queensland University of Technology took over the Conservatorium’s Garden Point facilities, including the QUT Gardens Theatre as it became known.

Facilities include the Conservatorium Theatre seats a maximum of 727 and has one of the highest fly towers in Australia, the Ian Hanger Recital Hall which seats 200 and the Basil Jones Orchestra Hall.

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Edward Street Theatre (opened 1981)

Brisbane Theatre History Metro Arts Theatre 2005The Edward Street Theatre (109-117 Edward Street), known as Metro Arts Theatre is a heritage-listed building, originally a warehouse built in 1890. It has also been known as Community Arts Centre, Coronation House and Metro Arts Centre. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

The site was purchased in 1871 as a warehouse in 1890 and leased it to George Myers & Co. In March 1902 the upper levels were substantially damaged by fire but were later repaired. The warehouse was subdivided in 1907 to accommodate other tenants. Between 1931 and 1937 the building was vacant. In 1938 the building was renamed Coronation House in celebration of the coronation of George VI. During the latter part of World War II, sections of the building were occupied by the Australian Government Department of Supply and Shipping. In March 1949 the property was acquired by the Australian Government and was used by various Australian government departments.

By the early 1970s the building was regarded as unsuitable for government offices and by 1976 all government departments had moved elsewhere. Then work began on converting the building into a community arts centre.

In July 1981 the Community Arts Centre was officially opened, and contained a theatre, two art galleries, rehearsal rooms, workshop spaces, meeting rooms, dark room, printing shop, cinema and restaurant.

Queensland Theatre Company Tangent Productions were regularly presented at the theatre in the early 1980’s.

Further work was undertaken in 1988 to provide additional facilities for artists. The building was renamed the Metro Arts Centre in 1988.

The Metro Arts building was sold in December 2019, with Metro Arts relocated to within West Village and opened their New Benner Theatre.

Metro Arts hosted it’s final show at the theatre, entitled METRO ARTS, WITH LOVE which took place from 1-15 February 2020.

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RE-PURPOSED

Mayne Hall (1973-1993)

Brisbane Theatre History Mayne Hall at UofQMayne Hall at the University of Queensland in 1973 and was named in recognition of the of donors Dr James O’Neil Mayne and his sister Miss Mary Emelia Mayne

For 25 years, the building had played an important role in university life as the venue for graduations, concerts and examinations.  During its life, it served as rental concert hall and boutique performance space.

Some famous performers who played Mayne Hall

  • Bo Diddley (1974 and 1975)
  • Split Enz, (1976 and 1977)
  • Richard Clapton Band (1976)
  • Stephane Grappelli (1976)
  • Little River Band (1977)
  • Cliff Richard (1978)
  • Tom Waits (1979)
  • Bruce Cockburn (1983)

However, declining public use and insufficient space for graduations provided an opportunity by the University of Queensland to address the need for new use.

In 1993, Mayne Hall was redeveloped to house the UQ Art Museum and exhibition space.

It was renovated again as an art museum in 2002.

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RE-PURPOSED

Brookes Street Theatre (1977-1985)

Brisbane Theatre History Brookes Street TheatreThe Brookes Street Theatre (112 Brookes Street between Wickham & Ann Streets), formerly the Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church and Church Hall built in 1871, was renamed the Epworth Centre when the final service, revoking their status as sacred buildings, occurred on 27 February 1977.  The interior of church hall is painted brick, spanned by timber trusses. The ceiling is timber-lined with exposed rafters.

The TN! Theatre Company formed an alliance with the Brisbane College of Education and leased its performance space in the church, with the Valley Child Care Centre operating from the adjacent hall.

Brookes Street TheatreUsed by TN! Theatre Company as both a rehearsal and performance space for many shows, a production of SKITZ N’ FRENZY! ran from May 20 until June 6, 1981.

In 1985 the church was sold to the Royal Geographical Society, renamed Gregory Place & Gregory Hall (after Sir Augustus Charles Gregory, a former Queensland explorer), and was refurbished as offices, as the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society, before being sold  in November 1988 for $1,075,000, then in April 2002 they were sold again, this time for $1,302,401.

In 2015, the church was occupied by a furniture company. In May 2016 120 Brookes Street sold for $2 million and then sold in July 2017 for $2.5 million to Silverstone Development.. It is now an architectural studio for BSPN Architects and The Brooke coffee shop.

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DEMOLISHED

Woodward Theatre (1979-2016)

Brisbane Theatre History WoodwardThe Woodward Theatre (Kelvin Grove campus in L block) opened in April 1979 and served as a practical art space, featuring a wide range of work from undergraduate through to postgraduate performances and commercial theatre use, particularly for dramatic plays and musicals.

The space was similar to a black box, multi-functional, and could be configured for traditional end stage, thrust or in-the-round.

In 1980, the Woodward Theatre hosted my productions of THE LONG AND THE SHORT AND THE TALL (January) and THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON (April).  Also later in 1980, I designed a production of GREASE in the Woodward.

In 2016, QUT relocated activities from the Woodward Theatre to their expansion of the Creative Industries Precinct on Musk Avenue.

The Woodward Theatre was permanently closed on the 12th December 2015

It was demolished in mid-2016 to make way for the construction of a new education precinct.

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Albert Park AmphitheatreAlbert Park Amphitheatre (opened 1982)

Part of the Roma Street Parkland located on 16 hectares in the heart of Brisbane, was named in honor of Prince Albert (the husband of Queen Victoria). The open air Albert Park Amphitheatre had been a feature of Albert Park for a number of decades before the Roma Street Parkland was established. Plays were performed by the Queensland Theatre Company and other theatre groups. Other theatre productions, including orchestral concerts, have also been performed there.

The park was first used an entertainment venue in 1945, with THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC CONCERT on August 26, presented by Allan and Stark Limited which attracted for then 6,000 people.

The first theatrical entertainment set in the woodland park was for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM which opened in September 1979, followed in September 1981 with a production of AS YOU LIKE IT on it’s own purpose built stage in the location of the current outdoor amphitheatre, both produced by the Queensland Theatre Company

Queensland Theatre Company A Midsummer Nights Dream QTC
Queensland Theatre Company Much Ado About Nothing QTC
Queensland Theatre Company The Tempest starring Keith Michell
Queensland Theatre Company As You Like It QTC
The success of these productions encouraged the Brisbane City Council to build a permanent  outdoor amphitheatre. This Albert Park Amphitheatre (aka Roma St Parklands Amphitheatre), erected for a cost of $600,000, was intended to revitalize the park which had become under-utilized.

The Albert Park Amphitheatre comprised a stage with cantilevered awning, dressing rooms and tiered seating and opened with a production of THE TEMPEST in September 1982, also produced by the Queensland Theatre Company.

Following this, was an annual series of other Shakespearean plays, including MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1983), HENRY V (1984) and THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (1987) all produced by the Queensland Theatre Company.

Albert Park Amphitheatre 07
Albert Park Amphitheatre 06
Albert Park Amphitheatre 03