Albert Hall, Canberra facts for kids
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The Albert Hall is a famous building in Canberra, Australia. It's a special place used for many fun events and performances. You can find it on Commonwealth Avenue, close to the Hotel Canberra in the area called Yarralumla.
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Discovering the Albert Hall
The Albert Hall first opened its doors on 10 March 1928. The Prime Minister at the time, Stanley Bruce, officially opened it. He chose the name "Albert Hall" for a few reasons. One reason was to honor the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. Another reason was because "Albert" was the first name of the Duke of York, who later became King George VI. It also remembered Albert, Prince Consort, who was the husband of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was the Queen who announced the start of the Australian Commonwealth.
How the Hall Was Built
The building was designed by an architect named David Limburg. He worked for the Federal Capital Commission. The style of the building is called Federal Classical. This means it looks grand and traditional. At the front, there's a special covered area called a porte-cochere. This allows people to get out of their cars and stay dry, no matter the weather.
The main hall can comfortably seat about 400 people. It has open rows of seats, making it easy to see the stage.
Inside the Albert Hall
When you enter the Albert Hall from the east side, you'll find a Foyer. From here, three sets of doors lead into the main hall. On one side, there's an old ticket booth and restrooms. On the other side, there's a small room with a kitchen. This room is often used for parties or gatherings. When the main hall isn't being used for events, the chairs are stored here.
Upstairs, there are some small offices that can be used for meetings. There's also a special seating area called a mezzanine. This area has about 50 fixed seats that are angled downwards, like in a movie theater. You can reach it by stairs from the Foyer. There's also an outdoor area on the roof above the small entertaining room, which can be used for events too.
Behind the stage, on the west side, there are two rooms for performers to get ready.
A Bit of History: Staying Warm
In its early years, the Albert Hall didn't have heating! People coming to events had to bring their own blankets, warm coats, and even hot water bottles to stay cozy. Singers sometimes performed in their fur coats because it was so cold. Heating was finally put in after World War II.
Albert Hall's Importance
Before 1965, the Albert Hall was one of the only places in Canberra that could hold large audiences. It was used for many big events. Even today, the Albert Hall is like the "city hall" for Australia's capital. It's used for many important community events, cultural shows, and private parties. It's a very popular place and is often booked for dances, balls, and performances.
