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covered in ruby plush velvet and balconies incorporated gilt and brocade. This was a distinct change from the conventions of theatre colour schemes at the time which tended to favour green baize. A portrait of James Cook proclaiming the east coast of
Australia in the name of Britain descended between acts.
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Although seen as an improvement on theatre design for Sydney, a report by the colonial architect was critical of inadequate and malodorous backstage facilities, in particular the orchestra pit and dressing rooms. This triggered a refurbishment in 1892. Interiors were remodelled along
Moorish inspired
177:
exterior and a capacity of approximately 991 seats. The 'Cri' was used for drama and music performances for almost 50 years. It closed in 1935, partially as a result of the
Depression and competition from the growth of cinemas and was demolished in 1935, to facilitate the widening of Park Street. The
232:
leased the Cri from new owner Frank
Musgrove. Williamson's imported London West End shows until the Cri closed in 1935. Prior to closure and demolition the north east corner of Pitt and park streets (adjacent to the Cri) became a popular meeting place for unemployed actors and was known as Poverty
186:
The
Criterion Theatre was built in the baroque (Italianate) style or the Neo-Renaissance style. It was conjoined with the Criterion Family Hotel. The internal design was Georgian colonial with a seating capacity of between 990-1000. The auditorium colour scheme was light blue and gold. Seats were
191:
colours of pale blue, fawn and gold. Cook's portrait was replaced by a
Moorish Palace. A further refurbishment in 1905 addressed health and safety issues of backstage facilities as well as fireproofing, increased number of exits and additional seating capacity.
221:(producing works by Pinero and Wilde), Henry Bracy's Comic Opera Company, Pollards Lilliputian Opera Company and the Curtis Minstrels. Expatriates Oscar Ashe and Lily Brayton also toured production at the Cri. The final production at the Cri was Barry Connor's
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Point. The
Criterion Family Hotel survived the demolition and became a popular watering hole for actors engaged in radio plays at the nearby Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC).
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515:. Parsons, Philip., Chance, Victoria. (Rev. and abridged from "Companion to theatre in Australia." ed.). Sydney: Currency Press. 1997.
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The
Criterion Theatre often referred to as the 'Cri' opened on 27 December 1886. Situated on the south east corner of
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Criterion Hotel was built on the narrow strip of land remaining, a legacy of one of Sydney's earliest theatres.
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performed by the
Rignold and Allison Opera Company. Other notable productions included
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173:. The 'Cri', was Sydney's most famous intimate playhouse at the time with a
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315:. No. 15, 199. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1886. p. 8
287:. No. 15, 213. New South Wales, Australia. 29 December 1886. p. 7
259:. No. 15, 208. New South Wales, Australia. 23 December 1886. p. 9
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567:. No. 3423. New South Wales, Australia. 3 January 1936. p. 4
427:. No. 2517. New South Wales, Australia. 20 June 1935. p. 16
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357:"Sydney Architecture Images- Demolished- The Criterion Theatre"
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217:(1907). It hosted a number of production companies including
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streets. It closed in 1935 and the building was demolished.
169:, it was funded by John Solomon and designed by architect
137:, Australia which was built in 1886 by architect
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199:The Criterion Theatre opened with the operetta
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340:. Neutral Bay : Old Sydney Free Press.
40:Criterion Theatre, Sydney, from Pitt Street
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575:– via National Library of Australia.
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323:– via National Library of Australia.
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513:Concise companion to theatre in Australia
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16:Theatre in Sydney, Australia (1886–1935)
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488:"CRITERION THEATRE (Sydney)"
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141:on the south east corner of
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473:13 October 2008 at the
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279:"THE CRITERION THEATRE"
215:The Squatter's Daughter
182:Design and construction
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662:Belvoir Street Theatre
606:-33.873230; 151.208243
543:: CS1 maint: others (
492:Sydney Theatre History
337:Sydney takes the stage
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682:Roslyn Packer Theatre
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398:Dictionary of Sydney
19:For other uses, see
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394:"Criterion Theatre"
307:"CRITERION THEATRE"
251:"CRITERION THEATRE"
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105:13 July 1935
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773:North Shore
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592:151°12′30″E
424:The Referee
213:(1898) and
195:Productions
59:Park Street
920:Categories
722:Inner West
589:33°52′24″S
522:0868194999
237:References
110:Demolished
53:Corner of
539:cite book
228:In 1915,
223:The Patsy
165:streets,
118:Architect
64:Australia
531:37911150
471:Archived
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209:(1890),
80:Capacity
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571:29 June
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153:History
50:Address
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167:Sydney
135:Sydney
102:Closed
94:Opened
62:Sydney
201:Falka
573:2019
545:link
527:OCLC
517:ISBN
499:2019
433:2019
405:2019
368:2019
321:2019
293:2019
265:2019
163:Park
161:and
159:Pitt
147:Park
145:and
143:Pitt
129:The
113:1935
69:Type
57:and
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