Alexandra Theatre, later Her Majesty's Theatre, 199-229 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Graeme Butler and Associates01/07/1989
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Title:
Alexandra Theatre, later Her Majesty's Theatre, 199-229 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
01/07/1989
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 103602
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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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ASSOCIATED RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:Construction dates: 1886; 1934.GRAEME BUTLER 1989, LITTLE BOURKE STREET PRECINCT CONSERVATION STUDYHistoryJules Joubert, residing at the princely address of Regent Street, Fitzroy, commissioned this grand theatre after a design by the young Nahum Barnet in 1886. His builders were Smith & Upton. Jules was financially embarrassed by the project but lessees, such as Alfred Dampier, pursued the muse at length midst a row of more pedestrian retailers who inhabited the theatre's shopfronts. A Corporation pattern iron verandah (replaced) was the corollary to the retailing and the now demolished Mansard Tower and widow's walk marked the theatre's entrance. It opened in the same year as Williamson, Garner & Mussgrove's Princess Theatre.The American actor and entrepreneur, James C Williamson purchased the theatre early this century, in his progress towards a national monopoly. Under his leasehold, the present name was acquired in c1900. After the cinematic extravaganzas of the Regent and State Theatres in the late 1920s traditional theatres were shunned for the new sound cinema which also boasted live entertainers during interval. The established houses looked to `conversions' which gave them the new Carrier air-conditioning and the wonder Dunlopillow seating. At Her Majesty's J C Williamson's conversion of 1934 also gave them Moderne detailing which achieved its decorative effect through use of form rather than applied detail. There was subdued lighting from new geometric light fittings, acres of Queensland walnut, a revolving stage and Australia's most comprehensive and innovative stage lighting...but there were no cupids, masks of tragedy or the voluptuous belles of traditional theatre. C N Hollinshead and A Walkley were the architects, Hansen & Yuncken Pty. Ltd the contractors and Williamson's own Albert Grosse, the lighting engineer.This conversion also changed the shopfronts and added a cantilevered canopy.DescriptionExternally, the design is more subdued that its contemporary, the Princess Theatre; possessing originally only one mansard tower. Segment and fully arched windows once took their turn on the facade, overlaid with Tuscan order trabeation. Above, the cornice enrichment reflects each window bay, which in turn, supports a foliated pediment at the parapet. Foliation is also applied in the spandrels and on the upper pilasters. Barnet's typically mannered application of details is evident at the entrance tower where the large lunette fans out behind a stern male head, placed on a central pedestal. Unusual pilaster capitals, either side of the lunette and pilasters grouped around a central narrow light are seemingly assembled as a tour-de-force of detailing leading up the formerly complex roof shapes and enriched cornice above. A row (three) of more conventional two- storey shops and residences adjoined to the north, and possessed little ornamentation. Internally the 1934 `conversion' survives almost complete from the subdued atmosphere of the lounges to the three seating tiers of the auditorium. Barnet's swagged balustrading and rich plaster detail have gone and in their place more subtle ornament has been applied as borders and dentillation is the only major moulding, stretched around large surfaces, recessed or plain.External IntegrityThe mansard tower roof, pediment balls and finials, the iron verandah and glazing details, both in the upper windows and shopfronts have gone or been replaced. Bricks have been painted over a neon sign and canopy added, and window openings altered. The wall facings, canopy and entry doors of the theatre are near to original to the 1934 form. The Chinese portal intrudes on the south facade.StreetscapePart of a Victorian period retail and residential streetscape; extending to the south.SignificanceOne of the two oldest surviving theatres in Melbourne both of which have been altered externally. One of the diminishing group of near original Moderne styled theatre and cinema interiors and one of the few live theatre interiors to be decorated in that manner in Victoria. It was also the first major building designed by the prolific and skilled architect, Nahum Barnet..VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0641https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/746What is significant?Her Majesty's Theatre was originally designed in 1886 by noted Melbourne architect Nahum Barnet. The theatre was the national flagship of American entrepreneur James C Williamson for nearly 40 years. In 1929 the interior was gutted by fire. Renovations in 1934 were designed by architects C N Hollinshead and Albion Walkley, leading Australian theatre specialists. H Vivian Taylor was employed as a sound consultant to the design. Significant technological advances were incorporated including heating, cooling and humidity control as well as cyclorama lighting effects managed from a central control board made by Siemens but developed by Williamson's engineer. Within three years of the re-opening the theatre had successfully staged musical comedy, grand opera, Gilbert & Sullivan opera and ballet. It was to become the Melbourne home of the Borovansky Company for 17 years, and was also used for the early seasons of the Australian Ballet and the Elizabethan Trust Opera Company (now the Australian Opera).How is it significant?Her Majesty's Theatre is of historical, social, architectural and technological significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?Her Majesty's Theatre is historically significant as the traditional home of musical comedy in Melbourne. Most of its success was derived from more than one hundred musicals played since 1934, with a line-up to match any other theatre in the world. The theatre is additionally significant for its associations with performers such as Dame Nellie Melba, Anna Pavlova, Eduard Borovansky and Joan Sutherland.Her Majesty's Theatre is of social significance for its continuing role in the theatrical life of Victoria and its place at the heart of the entertainment precinct of Melbourne.Her Majesty's Theatre is architecturally significant as one of the earliest examples of the European Moderne style surviving in an Australian theatre interior. The styling was significant for heralding the countless Moderne style cinemas which proliferated in the later 1930s. The craftsmanship and detailing in Australian timbers is particularly notable. Externally the Second Empire style established the theatre as a local landmark and represents one of the very early red brick buildings in the city as well as one of the earliest works of the prolific architect Nahum Barnet.Her Majesty's Theatre is technologically significant as the first theatre to employ an acoustic consultant. Excellent acoustics were achieved by the extensive use of veneered ply wall cladding. The theatre appears to be the first to provide air conditioning for a large interior in Victoria and the first in the state to achieve theatrical lighting effects on a cyclorama from a compact control board..GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM Cites source 76, p17; Building Permit Application 1616;Victorian Heritage RegisterNational Trust of Australia (Vic).GRAEME BUTLER 1989, LITTLE BOURKE STREET PRECINCT CONSERVATION STUDY see https://issuu.com/graemebutler21/docs/little_bourke_st_precinct_conservatsee `Building' 1934 extracts and images.NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Statement of SignificanceThis Moderne styled theatre, housed in an altered 19th century shell designed by Nahum Barnet, is the second known large-scale use of this European style surviving as an Australian interior and the earliest surviving example to utilise most of the style's eventual palette of finishes and forms.As such it heralded the countless Moderne styled cinemas which proliferated in the late 1930s. Complementary to the new cherubless decor were the technological innovations announced at its 1934 opening. It was the first theatre to employ an acoustic consultant (H. Vivian Taylor) and reflected this in its good acoustics and through the extensive use of veneered ply wall cladding. It appears to be the first to provide air conditioning (heating, cooling and humidity control) for a large interior in Victoria and the first in the state to achieve magical lighting effects on a cyclorama from a new compact control board (now dismantled), which was made by Siemens but developed by J. C. Williamson's engineer. The architects were C. N. Hollinshead and Albion Walkley, leading Australian theatre specialists. This was the J.C. Williamson national flagship for nearly 40 years. Within three years of the 1934 opening the theatre had successfully staged musical comedy, grand opera, Gilbert & Sullivan opera and ballet. It was to become the Melbourne home of the Borovansky Company for 17 years and was also used for the early seasons of the Australian Ballet and the Elizabethan Trust Opera Company (now the Australian Opera). It is however as a musical comedy venue that Her Majesty's has been most successful: more than 100 musicals have played there since 1934, from "White Horse Inn" to "Song and Dance" via "Oklahoma!", "My Fair Lady", "Camelot" and " Chorus Line" -a line-up probably unequalled in any other theatre in the world.Classified: 20/02/1986.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSA building of great cultural importance, the theatre opened as the Alexandra Theatre in 1886. The building was designed by Nahum Barnett. The interior and ground floor exterior were remodelled in 1934 after a fire some years previously. These alterations are also significant in themselves for their innovation and role in the development of modern theatre design. The building has been and remains a key element in Melbourne's entertainment precinct..NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)see clipping The Lorgnette (Melbourne, Vic. : 1878 - 1898) Wed 22 Sep 1886 Page 2 THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE.- Messrs.. Patterson -Bros. The- decorators, first. lessee is -Capt. de Burgh, erected by Mons Jules Joubert, well known in connection with Intercolonial and Indian Exhibitions, cost nearly, œ36,000.The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 13 Jun 1885 Page 13 THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE.THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE.It is proposed to erect shortly a large and commodious place of amusement, to be known as the Alexandra Theatre, on the site at the corner of Exhibition and Little Bourke streets, whereon recently stood the buildings known as the Hippodrome. Mr. Jules Joubert is to be the lessee, and the theatre will be one of the largest of its kind in the colony.The plans prepared by Mr. Nahum Barnet, the architect, show that it will be an extensive structure, with a handsome exterior in the French Renaissance style. The outer portion of the block will be devoted to shops, each having bays running to the full height of parapets, and relieved by piers executed in Ballarat bricks, selected for this purpose on account of their uniform colour. The principal access to the theatre will be from Exhibition-street, and will be finished with a high mansard roof, projecting bays, and bold bluestone piers, and the entrance way will be 14ft wide, enclosed with iron gates. The vestibule will be finished with enriched pilasters and mirrored, the floor of Venetian mosaic tiles, and the principal steps to the upper tiers of marble. Every attention has been paid by Mr. Barnet in the planning of this theatre so as to give easy exit in the event of a panic or any disturbance. All the doorways will open outwards, the entrances will incline towards the streets, and the staircases throughout will be of ample width and built of stone. The proscenium is to be of brick, and will be carried from the foundations to above the parapet of the theatre. The curtain opening will have attached to it a patent iron shutter, worked by hydraulic power, and the doors from the stage to the theatre will be of iron, thus completely isolating the stage portion from the auditorium. Other means will be adopted to render the place fire-resisting, such as the adoption of asbestos fire-proof paints in all canvas painting and the encircling of the theatre with a system of iron water tanks, the outlets of which will connect with the auditorium, and will be easily available. The ventilation of the theatre promises to be very complete. A series of pivoted windows will run round the whole of the building, and the ceiling will be finished with a patent ventilator to carry off the vitiated air. There are to be three parts to the theatre. The lower portion is to be devoted to ' the gods,' the tier above is to be known as the amphitheatre, and is designed to hold the greater portion of the audience, and above it are to be the private boxes, which are to be elegantly finished and appointed. Broad gangways are to run round each portion of the house, and the occupants of the lower part are to have a promenade for their special benefit in the basement below the theatre, whilst the patrons of the boxes will have a foyer, sumptuously decorated and furnished, where coffee and light refreshments will be dispensed. The internal fittings will be of the latest design for the comfort of the audience. The decorations will be entrusted to the best talent available here, and will be carried out under the supervision of the architect. The auditorium is to be about 93ft. square, and the roof will be the largest span of any public building in this city. Tenders are now being called for the erection of the block, and every effort will be made to have the theatre portion open for the Christmas season.
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 103602 | 1 PDF : 2,020 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |