Palais Theatre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Palais Theatre

Palais Theatre, St Kilda, 2016
Former names	Palais Pictures (1927–57)
Address	Lower Esplanade St Kilda, Victoria 3182 Australia
Location	Greater Melbourne
Operator	Live Nation Australia
Capacity	2,896
Construction
Opened	1927
Renovated	1952, 2007–16
Architect	Henry Eli White

The Palais Theatre, once known as Palais Pictures, is a grand old cinema in St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It can seat almost 3,000 people, making it the biggest seated theatre in Australia.

This theatre was built after an earlier cinema with the same name burned down. Designed by Henry Eli White, it opened in 1927. The Palais Theatre is right next to Luna Park. Together, they helped make the St Kilda beach area a famous place for entertainment. Today, it's still a well-known landmark.

Over the years, the Palais Theatre became famous for live music shows. It has also hosted amazing ballet performances, operas, and comedy acts. The Palais is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical building. In 2015, it was even added to the Music Victoria Hall of Fame.

Discover the Palais Theatre's Story

The Palais Theatre was created by three brothers from America: Leon, Herman, and Harold Phillips. Their first big project in Australia was Luna Park, which opened in 1912 on the St Kilda foreshore. After their partner left, the Phillips brothers continued to grow their entertainment business.

Early Entertainment Venues

The Phillips brothers then built several dance halls and cinemas near Luna Park. In 1913, they opened the first Palais de Danse, which was on the same spot where the current Palais Theatre stands. This building later became Palais Pictures in 1915.

In 1919, a new Palais Pictures building was constructed over the old one. The original building was then moved next door and became a dance hall again, called the Palais de Danse. This dance hall was later redesigned by architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1922.

A New Beginning After the Fire

In 1925, Walter Burley Griffin also started a big redesign of the Palais Pictures. But in 1926, just as the work was almost finished, a fire destroyed the entire building. The Phillips brothers then hired a new architect, Henry Eli White, who was an expert in theatres. They wanted him to build an even bigger and grander theatre.

This new theatre, which could seat more people than any other theatre outside the main city, officially opened on November 12, 1927. The next night, it showed its first films: Across the Pacific and Rough House Rosie. There was also live music by Harry Jacobs and his orchestra.

From Cinema to Live Music Venue

When the last of the Phillips brothers passed away in 1957, the Palais Theatre and Luna Park were taken over by local business owners. A special plaque inside the Palais still honors Leon Phillips.

Until the 1950s, the theatre mainly showed movies. But it slowly became more popular for live performances. Famous international stars like Johnnie Ray, Bob Hope, the Rolling Stones, and Tom Jones performed there. At some point in the 1950s, its name changed from Palais Pictures to Palais Theatre to show its new focus on live shows. The big neon sign on the front was changed too.

A Hub for Arts and Culture

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Palais Theatre hosted many different types of shows. It had live bands, movies, operas, and ballets. Famous ballet companies like the Bolshoi Theatre and the Kirov Ballet performed there. It was also the Melbourne home for The Australian Ballet. They premiered their version of Swan Lake in 1977 and their first Nutcracker in 1982.

The Melbourne Film Festival was held at the Palais from 1962 to 1982. The musical Jesus Christ Superstar was performed there in 1973 and 1976. Famous opera singer Joan Sutherland also appeared with the Australian Opera in The Merry Widow in 1979.

In 1974, a movie about Jimi Hendrix had its Australian premiere at the Palais. This was also the first time a very powerful sound system was used for a cinema screening in Australia. In 1975, the International Women's Film Festival also held events at the Palais.

Modern Changes and Restoration

Around the mid-2000s, the City of Port Phillip, which manages the land, planned a big redevelopment of the area around the Palais. The theatre's lease was ending, and the old company managing it did not get a new one. Some items, like a Spanish-style chandelier from the lobby, were removed, which caused some discussion.

Between 2007 and 2016, a local group called Palais Theatre Management Pty Ltd managed the venue. In 2016, a new 30-year lease was given to a company called Live Nation. The state premier, Daniel Andrews, announced that A$20 million would be spent to restore the theatre.

The renovated theatre reopened in May 2017. It was repainted in its original sand color, after being off-white for many years.

The Palais Theatre's Design

One of the theatre's special boxes

The Palais Theatre has a very decorative and unique architectural style, typical of cinemas built in the 1920s. Its arched roof and two domed towers at the front look similar to other entertainment buildings in the area, like Luna Park next door.

The architect, Henry White, said he didn't follow any single style when designing the Palais. People have described its interior as having Spanish, French, Oriental, or Italian influences.

The outside of the theatre has Spanish Baroque details on top of its towers. The inside is mostly neoclassical, with tall columns and a shallow dome in the main auditorium. It features detailed plasterwork and special hidden lighting. The Palais Theatre is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register because of its historical and architectural importance.

Awards and Recognition

The Palais Theatre has been recognized for its importance in the music world.

Music Victoria Hall of Fame

At the Music Victoria Awards of 2015, the Palais Theatre was added to the Hall of Fame. This award celebrates important people and places in Victorian music. The Music Victoria Awards started in 2006.