Theatre Royal and Metropole Hotel facts for kids
The Theatre Royal and Metropole Hotel is a very old and important building in Perth, Western Australia. You can find it on Hay Street. A businessman named Thomas Molloy built both the hotel (also called Hotel Metropole) and the theatre. The hotel was finished in 1893, and the theatre opened in 1897.
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A Look Back: How the Buildings Started
Before the 1890s, Perth didn't have any proper theatres. Actors performed in places like the Perth Town Hall. These places were not really made for plays.
A local businessman, Thomas Molloy, wanted to change this. He helped get money and started building some of Perth's first cultural places. In 1893, Molloy bought land on Hay Street. He got help from Alexander Forrest, who was the Mayor of Perth at the time.
Building the Hotel and Theatre
In 1894, the Hotel Metropole was built on the land Molloy bought. Then, in 1895, he announced plans for a large theatre. This theatre would have 1,000 seats and be right next to the hotel.
The first stone for the theatre was laid on May 8, 1895. The Theatre Royal officially opened on April 19, 1897. At first, it had mixed success. But by the 1930s, it became the most popular movie theatre in Perth.
Changes Over the Years
In 1934, a company called Grand Theatre Company took over the Theatre Royal. This meant the theatre stopped having live shows. It became a place only for movies. In 1939, the theatre was updated. These changes made it even better for watching films.
In 1954, City Theatres bought the theatre. The hotel was not included in this sale. The theatre was updated again in 1965. A huge curved screen was put in. A new sound system was also added. The cinema reopened with a showing of the movie My Fair Lady.
The Metropole Hotel was bought by a clothing company in 1962. They made big changes to the hotel building. The ground floor became a shopping area. The upper floors were opened up with lots of space.
The Theatre Royal closed its doors in 1977. The ground floor was changed into shops. Later, in 1983, Hoyts Cinemas used part of the old theatre as a fourth cinema screen.
Why These Buildings Are Important
The Theatre Royal and Metropole Hotel are important historical buildings. They have been officially recognized as heritage sites since the 1970s. This means they are protected because of their history and special design.
How the Buildings Looked
The Metropole Hotel was designed by Henry Stirling Trigg. He was a well-known architect during the time of the gold rush. The hotel had a special American Romanesque style. It had three floors and an underground cellar.
Inside the Hotel
On the ground floor, there were spaces for people to meet and for shops. The first floor had a music room. It also had rooms for drawing, dining, and playing billiards. The top floor had guest lounges and bedrooms. The flat roof was even used for concerts!
Inside the Theatre
John Stuart Jackson was the architect for the Theatre Royal. He had experience with theatres before. The theatre was next to the hotel but had its own entrance. It was also connected to the hotel by walkways.
The theatre's outside look matched the hotel's style. It had many fancy details. To keep the air fresh, the theatre had a sliding roof and air shafts. The building also had shops on the ground floor to earn extra money.
Inside the theatre, there was a stage, seating areas, and a special box for important guests. There was also a pit for the orchestra. A huge crystal chandelier with 200 lights decorated the theatre.
When they were finished, the hotel and theatre together were the biggest commercial building in Perth. However, they soon had a competitor. The Savoy Hotel was built across the street in 1916. The Savoy had a much larger theatre, fitting 1,500 people. The Theatre Royal could hold about 800 people.
Images for kids
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Theatre Royal and Hotel Metropole in 1897
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Theatre Royal and Hotel Metropole in 2021
