Princess Theatre Melbourne

Princess Theatre, Melbourne is enrolled by the National Trust of Australia and is on the Victorian Heritage Register. In 1854, Astley's Amphitheatre opened and after 1857 the Amphitheatre was re- opened and christened as the Princess Theatre, and Opera House.

In 1885, the partnership of J. C. Williamson, George Musgrove and Arthur Garner, was formed and known as 'The Triumvirate'. The triumvirate determined to build a new theatre that was completed in 1866. Princess Theatre, Melbourne now boasted of the world's first sliding or retractable roof and ceiling. It attributed state-of-the-art electrical stage lighting.

On 18 Dec 1886, Princess Theatre, Melbourne was re-opened, with an act of The Mikado. On 26 Dec 1922, new owners, Benjamin, John Fuller and Hugh J. Ward, renovated and reopened the Princess Theatre, Melbourne with an act of The O'Brien Girl. In 1987, David Marriner bought the Theatre and on 9th Dec 1989, the Princess Theatre, Melbourne was re-opened with the musical Les Misérables, followed by The Phantom of the Opera, creating a new record for the longest running show in Victoria.

In 1989, Princess Theatre, Melbourne was re-established and this theatre is considered as Melbourne's home for international musical productions, such as:

Les Misérables (1989)
Cats
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Chess
The Boy from Oz
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Sound of Music
Mamma Mia! (2002)
The Producers (2004)
Swan Lake on Ice (2006)
Dirty Dancing (2006)
Kiss Me, Kate (2006)
The Phantom of the Opera (2007)

Princess Theatre, Melbourne is also used as a place for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Facilities

Material Access
There is a number of theatre doorways placed on Spring Street. Before and during performances glass doors are kept open.

Accessible Entrance
An incline is located at the door, two hours before performance time.

Entrance hall
The entrance hall is a cemented area. Each counter in the entrance hall area is high. There is a little rise into the auditorium before the cemented surface gives way to carpet. The box office is placed in the entrance hall.

Auditorium
Dress Circle
Grand Circle
Stall

Seating Capacity
Grand - 509
Dress - 303
Stall - 676
Total - 1488

Toilets
Male toilets
Female toilets
A unisex accessible toilet

Facilities for the Physically Challenged and Impaired
Request Stalls seating.
Facilities are available for storing Frames and crutches
Wheelchair seating should be reserved with the Princess Theatre box office.
Some audio-explained performances are presented in this Theatre.
Direct enquires for the Association for the Blind.
Audio loops in Stalls and Dress Circle.
Direct booking with Theatre.

Sound Control Allocation
Standard Position
Stalls Row V12-18
Row W10-14
Total: 11 seats

NB. Sound control allocation to be subtracted from the total amount

Parking

The Paramount Centre
163 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9251 5522

Secure Parking
59 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9618 5702

Kings Parking
McIlwraith Place (off Bourke Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9662 2300

Public Transport
Tram: Any tram via Bourke Street.
Train: Parliament Train Station.

Nearest Bars

The Melbourne Supper Club
1st Floor, 161 Spring Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9654 6300

Oyster Little Bourke
35 Little Bourke Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9650 0988
www.oysterlittlebourke.com.au

Aura The Lounge
12 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9654 3533

Address

Princess Theatre
163 Spring Street,
Melbourne, 3000
Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9299 9800
Web: http://www.marrinertheatres.com.au/

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