Page 16 - CR31R.pdf

T H
REJUVE

O

Her Majes

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ES
After its recent $12 million refurbishment, this
theatrical icon reopened its doors in May 2002 to usher
in a new era of entertainment to Melbourne audiences.
uilt on the site of the old Hippodrome, the
current building opened as the 2500 seat
BAlexandra Theatre on October 1,
1886.
A decade later it was briefly renamed
the Queens, but became Her Majesty’s
under the direction of J.C.Williamson
from May 19, 1900. At this time, noted
architect William Pitt redesigned and
decorated the theatre in the “classical”
style complete with gilded plasterwork
and plush seating.
The theatre was renamed HIS
Majesty’s from 1924, and was closed in 1929 Fire
October 1929 when a disastrous fire
gutted the auditorium. The undamaged stage was
then used as a movie-studio by Frank Thring
(Snr), and Radio Station 3AW started
broadcasting from the unused offices off the
foyer.
After the depression, the theatre was re-
opened as the NEW His Majesty’s, which had
been rebuilt and decorated in the “art-moderne”
style featuring the use of Queensland Walnut
panelling instead of the old traditional gilt
painted plasterwork.
The name HER Majesty’s was reinstated
in 1954. The Williamsons relinquished control
in 1976 and the 1990’s saw increasingly long
periods with the theatre “dark”.
In 2000 ownership passed to former TV-
host, Mike Walsh OBE, who closed the
theatre on April 2 of that year, to start the
multi million dollar
refurbishment
it so desperately
needed.

16 2002 CINEMARECORD