Princess Theatre, 163-181 Spring Street & 1-25 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
Princess Theatre, 163-181 Spring Street & 1-25 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 108987
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1887-, 1921;ASSOCIATIONS: Williamson & Co ; Garner & Musgrove;DESIGNER: Pitt, William; ;HD Annear; White & Gurney;BUILDER: Cockram & Comely.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERhttps://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/805Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The present Princess Theatre was constructed in 1886 to a design by William Pitt. It was built by builders, Cockram and Company, for the partnership of Williamson, Garner and Musgrove, which included the highly successful theatrical entrepreneur, J. C. Williamson. Astley's Amphitheatre, a corrugated iron structure which seated over 2000 people, first occupied the site from 1854 to 1856. Remodelled and renamed the Princess's Theatre and Opera House in 1857, the building was owned by the noted Melbourne theatre figure, George Coppin. This original Princess Theatre was demolished in 1885 and the New Princess Theatre, as it was known, was erected.In 1886, the Princess Theatre was recorded as the fourteenth theatre erected in Melbourne, although only four remained in operation that year. Designed in the style of the French Second Empire, the theatre is of rendered brick with a slate roof. It has a symmetrical facade with three dominant pavilion bays, each roofed with mansard domes crowned with elaborate cast iron cresting. The facade is balustraded with urns, and contains a frieze of festoons, giant order Corinthian pilasters and attached columns. The central bay features a pediment containing the British coat of arms, surmounted by a figure of Fame and couchant lions. Originally open balconies flanked this central bay, however these were infilled with stained glass sections in about 1901. A verandah was added to the central section of the facade in the early 1890s.At the time of opening the Princess Theatre was greatly admired for its luxurious interior, electric lighting and opening roof for ventilation. This ingenious, roll back roof required an eight metre wide circular opening in the ceiling to slide open and two sliding sections of gabled roof to move apart.In 1922 the interior of the auditorium was remodelled by prolific theatre architect, Henry E. White, who was involved in the remodelling and rebuilding of over one hundred Australian theatres. At this time the auditorium and stage were re-planned and reconstructed, and the interior redecorated in a delicate 'Adam' style. A ground level foyer was also created by the addition of a lateral vestibule space, and the grand staircase and existing upper foyer were redecorated. The ground level facade was reconstructed to reflect the new foyer, with shops removed and a cantilevered verandah erected.Films were screened at the Princess Theatre on occasions during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as live theatre. It became a full time picture theatre in 1942, due to the scarcity of live performances as a result of World War II, and continued in this manner until 1947. It then returned to live theatre.The Princess Theatre was restored in 1989 by Axia and Greenhatch and Allom Lovell and a new flytower was installed at this time.How is it significant?The Princess Theatre is of architectural, historical and scientific (technical) significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Princess Theatre, is of architectural significance as one of the finest examples of an 1880s boom era theatre in Melbourne and one of the most important works of the architect William Pitt. Of the number of theatres he designed, it is one of only a few remaining.The Princess Theatre is of architectural significance for its auditorium and foyers which are major examples of the work of theatre architect, Henry White. White was one of the most prolific theatre architects and the Princess Theatre is one of his most intact interiors. It represents an important transition period in interior theatre design, reflecting the impact of picture palace architecture on live theatre design.The Princess Theatre is of historical significance as Melbourne's oldest extant theatre and as a reminder of the city's boom era. The site is of historical significance for its long association with entertainment in Melbourne since the 1850s.The Princess Theatre is of historical significance for its associations with J. C. Williamson, Australia's most successful theatrical entrepreneur.The Princess Theatre is of scientific (technical) significance for its sliding roof and ceiling, which opened to the sky to allow ventilation. This was one of the first applications of such a feature in Victoria.[Online Data Upgrade Project 2008].GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 76, Page 44-5_________________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORYFirst theatre on this site was Astley's Amphitheatre, constructed of corrugated iron 1854 for GBW Lewis. John Black converted it to a playhouse 1857 and renamed it the Princess Theatre. In 1872 due to the destruction of the Haymarket Theatre and the Theatre Royal by fire it was the only operating theatre. Building replaced in 1886._________________________________________NIGEL LEWIS DECEMBER 1976, HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF THE CENTRAL CITY OF MELBOURNE BOURKE STREET, EAST AREA 8 OF THE SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL source 76, Page 44-5PRINCESS THEATRE M25 L63163-181 Spring StreetThe first theatre on this site was Astley's Amphitheatre in 1854. This corrugated iron building was erected for G.B.W. Lewis. In 1857, John Black converted this building and renamed it the Princess Theatre. After the destruction of the Haymarket Theatre and the Theatre Royal by fire in 1872 the only theatre left was "that shabby iron structure known as the Princess Theatre 1. This building survived until 1886 when the present structure was erected, thus making the Princess Theatre site the oldest continuous theatrical site in Melbourne. The present building was designed by William Pitt and built by Cockram and Comely 2. The building opened on 18th December and Sutherland writing two years later held that it was a structure unrivalled, so far, in the history of Australia. "From the splendour of the Marble staircase that, forms its entrance to the picturesque dome that crowns a noble effort of architectural design, the theatre is a marvel of completeness; its electric lights, the charming decoration of its boxes and its galleries, the elegance of its scenic appointments, the mechanism that permits the roof to roll away and suffers the spectators on a hot summer night to look up into the delicious coolness of the star bespeckled sky, all that wealth and lavish enterprise can effect, has been poured out on this temple of the drama in Spring Street 4 . External alterations included the enclosing of the first floor balconies, the replacement of the ground floor doors and windows and the addition of a cantilever verandah along the length of the Spring Street facade. The auditorium has been substantially altered from the original and is in poor condition thus is of lesser importance than the building shell.RECOMMENDATION:The building is justly included on the Historic Buildings Register because of the design of the exterior and the site's long association with the theatre. We feel that the Spring Street facade must be retained although controlled alteration to the interior could be allowed if it would remain in use as a theatre. The sign painted on the southern external wall of the auditorium is of particular interest. It should be retained and protected from being obscured by adjacent properties by planning controls.NOTES1. Sutherland: Victoria and its Metropolis, V1,p 5172. Sutherland, op. cit., v2, p.632 3.Builders of Melbourne, p.244. Sutherland, op. cit. p.520_________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Records73180 Pitt, W; Williamson & Co Melbourne VIC Theatres Cockram, T & Co - Park St Parkville 1886 04 6 2104 MCC registration no 2104 [Burchett Index]. Fee 14.0.0theatre (Princess);43044 Gordon, George; Pitt, William VIC Interiors; Theatres 1886 12 11 Long descriptive article on the new Princess Theatre, Spring St. The theatre is designed in the Italian renaissance style, with "..occasional suggestions of the French style in architecture, a departure from rule excused by the detail of the interior of the theatre". Front windows of unique design, the label heads being broken with scrolls ..like in verse shells etc. The decoration and design of the interior is by Mr George Gordon, the well known scenic artist. Almost the only colours used are peacock blue, warm cream & dead gold. Mr William Pitt is the architect, Messrs. Cockram & Comley, the contractors, The building cost about ?40,000. Argus 11.12.1886, p 643045 Gordon, George; Pitt, William VIC Interiors; Theatres 1886 12 19 Opening night of the Princess Theatre. Extensive description of the theatre, which was designed by William Pitt. The theatre has been decorated by Mr George Gordon, who was also trained as an architect. Argus 20.12.1886, p 7, 163 Spring St43036 Annear, Harold Desbrowe; VIC Theatres 1895 1 19 H. D. ANNEAR, Melbourne Contract open for taking up and re-laying tiling, painting exterior and other work to Princess Theatre, MelbourneAustralasian Builder and Contractor's News 19.1.1895, p i73188 Pitt, William Benjamin, M - Trustees Melbourne VIC Theatres Gwillam, T H - 7 Beaconsfield Rd Auburn 1901 06 21 8315 MCC registration no 8315 [Burchett Index]. Fee 1.10.0enclose balconies of theatre with glass front & roof43046 Pitt, William; VIC Theatres 1901 7 43051 Pitt, Wm. New Princess Theatre, 163 Spring St., Melbourne For Messrs. Williamson, Garner & Musgrove Jan. 1886 Conservatory/Winter Garden Jul.190125 Sheets WD THE.15 Melbourne University Architectural Collection, SLVWhite & Gurney; White, Henry E VIC Interiors; Theatres 1923 2 1 H.E. White of White & Gurney,architects, Sydney. Detailed description of redecoration of Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Australasian Decorator and Painter 1.2.1923, pp 121-122Period: Late Victorian
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1263221
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108987 | 1 PDF : 1.480 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |