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Her Majesty's Theatre
Alexandra Theatre (1886–1900)
His Majesty's Theatre (1924–1953)
Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.jpg
Her Majesty's Theatre, photographed in 2012.
Address 219 Exhibition Street
Melbourne
Australia
Coordinates 37°48′39″S 144°58′11″E / 37.8109452°S 144.9696207°E / -37.8109452; 144.9696207
Owner Mike Walsh
Designation Victorian Heritage Register
Capacity 1,700
Current use Musicals, opera
Construction
Opened 1 October 1886 as Alexandra Theatre
Architect Nahum Barnet

Her Majesty's Theatre is a famous 1,700-seat theatre in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the city's East End Theatre District. Built in 1886, this historic building is considered a special landmark. It is protected by the National Trust of Australia and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

In 2000, a new owner named Mike Walsh bought the theatre. He had it restored and updated so it could host even bigger and more spectacular shows.

The History of the Theatre

From Circus to Stage

Long ago, the spot where the theatre now stands was used for outdoor entertainment. In 1880, it was an open-air venue with rows of seats for people to watch circuses and horse shows.

Four years later, a French businessman named Jules François de Sales Joubert decided to build a grand theatre complex on the site. He hired an architect named Nahum Barnet to design it.

On October 1, 1886, the brand-new Alexandra Theatre opened its doors. It was named after the Princess of Wales at the time. The theatre was huge, with enough seats for 2,800 people, making it the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The very first show was a comedy called Bad Lads.

However, the theatre's early days were difficult. The owner had spent too much money building it and couldn't get the licenses needed to run the hotel and bars. By 1887, he had run out of money.

A New Beginning

In 1888, a famous actor and writer named Alfred Dampier took over the theatre. He came up with a plan for popular shows and fair ticket prices, and soon the theatre became very successful.

In 1900, a well-known American producer, James Cassius Williamson, took charge. He renovated the theatre to make it even better. The stage was lowered, the seating was improved, and everything was repainted. New lighting and a new stage curtain were also installed.

The theatre reopened on May 19, 1900, with a new name: Her Majesty's Theatre, in honor of Queen Victoria. The first show under the new name was HMS Pinafore, a fun operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan.

Famous Voices and a Fire

In 1909, the world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba visited the theatre. She said the sound quality, or acoustics, was "dead" and refused to sing there. So, the theatre was renovated again to improve the sound, just in time for her first Australian opera performance in 1911.

Sadly, in 1929, a fire destroyed the inside of the theatre. It wasn't rebuilt until 1934. The new interior was designed in a cool, modern style called Art Deco. It also had new technology, like heating and air conditioning.

Why Does the Name Keep Changing?

The theatre's name has changed a few times to honor the British monarch.

  • 1886: It opened as the Alexandra Theatre.
  • 1900: It was renamed Her Majesty's Theatre for Queen Victoria.
  • 1924: The name changed to His Majesty's Theatre for King George V.
  • 1953: It went back to Her Majesty's Theatre for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Even though King Charles III became king in 2022, the theatre has kept the name Her Majesty's Theatre.

Famous Shows at Her Majesty's

Over the decades, Her Majesty's Theatre has hosted some of the world's biggest and most beloved shows. Many famous actors and performers have appeared on its stage. Here are just a few of the amazing productions that have entertained audiences here.

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