Princess Theatre, Melbourne

March 15, 2010 in Australia

The Princess Theatre is a one of a kind rare architectural beauty situated in Melbourne Australia. Being a monument that holds immense prestige, it is listed by the National Trust of Australia, and has even found a place for itself in the Victorian Heritage Register. It was erected in the year 1854 by the famous enterprising actor George Coppin. Coppin’s name was a part of many other ventures too in the city, which included his ownership of the Iron Pot, along with the installation of gas lights into the famous Astley’s amphitheatre.

Looking at the site where the Princess Theatre stands today, it is actually the second building. The first was Astley’s Amphitheatre, which was also built in 1854. It was actually named after the magnificent Astley Royal Amphitheatre, which is located near Westminster Bridge, London.  Astley’s had a unique structure with a central ring for equestrian type of entertainment performances, along with a stage at one end for dramatic activities. It was in 1857, that this amphitheatre was renovated, and the Princess theatre was opened along with the opening of the Opera House as well.

There is a very beautiful Victorian feel to the theatre which was created and renovated by the best of architects and artists. The building when completed was known to have the world’s first retractable or sliding kind of roof and ceiling. Also, the stage lighting was done in an impeccable manner, and was quite impressive. From time to time, the owners of the theatre of changed, and each of them have renovated and reopened it with great performances or dramas. In this respect, the Princess Theatre is known to have its audience some of the finest dramas and other kinds of performances.

Over the years, there have been some ghost stories developing about the Princess Theatre. In 1888, one of the performers of a play had died during the middle of it, and since then many claim to have seen a ghostly figure in an evening dress in the theatre. For many years, the third-row seat in the dress circle of the theatre had been kept vacant in the artist’s honour.

Now, the theatre is used for many international musical productions. Some of the finest entertainment and performing companies come here with their shows. The Princess Theatre, Melbourne has an amazingly large seating capacity of 1488, which clearly indicates the level and magnitude of the kind of performances that happen here, and how the response from the audience is to such shows. People going to Melbourne always make it a point to visit this beautiful building, which for years has stood unbeatable and undisputed in its magnificence.