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King's Theatre, Melbourne

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187: 50: 292: 222:(1949)), magicians and others perform. In March 1922 the American illusionist Nicola (William Mozart Nicol), who was also giving shows inside the theatre, performed a trick where he hung upside down from a sign that was suspended from the roof of the theatre. He then proceeded to free himself from a strait jacket and handcuffs while in midair. The trick, which was publicised by saying that Nicola would be hanged from the King's Theatre, was in contravention of council by-laws due to the use of 'a lift and tackle' in Russell Street and saw Nicola charged and appear in the district court where he was fined. 91:
construct and included 15 theatre exits that led into streets or laneways in consideration of fire risk. At opening there were 3000 lights in the theatre, and it could seat 2200 people. The theatre also had three sliding roofs, over dome, gallery and stage. At opening, the theatre's colour scheme was blue and gold, with upholstery and seats in blue. The stage was 63 feet wide by 80 feet deep (19 m × 24 m) to allow for large productions and complex scenery/props.
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selected a site (now 131 Russell Street) on Russell Street, near the corner of Bourke Street for the new theatre and construction, employing 200 men, construction took only 5–6 months, beginning after Christmas in 1907. The building featured the use of 2,000,000 bricks, cost 32,000 pounds to
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The following year, Carroll, with partners Aztec Services had the theatre reconverted for live stage productions for sub-lessee, entrepreneur Harry Wren. 1949 saw the Kings Theatre host a season of the controversial Australian play
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In 1911 Anderson faced financial ruin due to the failure of his Wonderland City fun fair venture in Sydney. He remained the lessee of Kings Theatre in name only until 1915, but in reality handed over the theatre to the use of
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and their colleague Leon Bosco. The theatre had been built to allow for lavish productions in which "live cattle or traps, motor cars etc. may be necessary for the purposes of realism" and the production of the sporting play
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and Frank Samuel, who merged their enterprise with that of J. C. Williamson's in 1920. During the 1920, '30s and '40s, the theatre saw plays, vaudeville, pantomimes (such as
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It was a major live theatre during the first half of the twentieth century, and became a cinema (under the name the Barclay) from the late 1950s until closing in 1976.
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in 1975 and finally in 1977 the theatre was demolished to give way to a multiplex cinema, Greater Union Russell Cinemas, which itself was demolished in 2014.
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and Anderson's former business manager, Julius Grant. This period saw a number of productions by J. and N. Tait Ltd, the firm of three of the Tait brothers,
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The King's Theatre, said to be the first new theatre in Melbourne for 20 years, was opened on Saturday 11 July 1908. Victorian State Premier
49: 267:. The theatre was then renamed the Barclay Theatre or Barclay Cinema. The theatre officially opened in 1958 and the first film shown was 255:
However a full return to live productions was short lived and in 1951 films were screened there again, as well as stage presentations.
149:, with musicians the Cherniavskys (Mischel, Leo and Jan) and international magicians Le Roy, Talma & Bosco, an act which featured 278: 17: 1431: 81: 876: 464: 291: 145:
As well as melodramas and plays, the theatre also presented shows by other acts, such as controversial Canadian dancer
1345:"Rusty bugles: a comedy/ by Sumner Locke Elliott with the Independent Theatre Company; play produced by Doris Fitton" 541: 272: 238:'s Gaiety Theatres company, who leased the theatre. Warner Brothers screened films at the theatre until 1948. 1446: 339: 162:
featured Trixy, a trained mare and carriages onstage, while sheep were shorn onstage during the production
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Cinesound Review newsreel showing footage of the official opening of the Barclay Theatre, Melbourne, 1958
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The theatre's designer, William Pitt, had already designed a number of Melbourne theatres including the
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opened the theatre and other members of parliament were in attendance at the opening performance of
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1942 saw the temporary end to live performances when film projection equipment was installed by
605: 382: 218: 216:(1939)), comedians, musical revues (like the mostly American production of Olsen and Johnson's 118:
In the early years, the theatre presented a number of productions by the theatrical company of
489: 235: 139: 122:, sole lessee and manager of the theatre. Many of these productions featured Anderson's wife 43: 249: 770:"Facade of King's Theatre where Nicola (William Mozart Nicol) performed his hanging trick" 8: 665: 374: 263:
The interior of the King's Theatre, as well as the façade were remodelled for the owner
1375: 231: 212: 421: 268: 154: 1319:"Grand Opera "Il Trovatore", Kings Theatre, Melbourne (picture) Talma & Co" 831: 150: 123: 108: 1398: 1370: 980: 847: 795: 660: 631: 600: 512: 1425: 484: 39: 429: 413: 264: 244: 135: 131: 1221:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: J.J. Miller Printing Co. 1919 199: 175: 100: 207: 146: 745:"'Anderson, William (1868–1940)', Australian Dictionary of Biography" 138:
also acted in a number of these productions. Other companies such as
1195:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Troedel & Cooper Pty Ltd. 1917 1169:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Troedel & Cooper Pty Ltd. 1917 225: 800: 517: 332: 1143:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.L. Anderson & Sons. 1916 1117:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.L. Anderson & Sons. 1915 909:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.L. Anderson & Sons. 1909 724:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.L. Anderson & Sons. 1910 521:. No. 16639. Victoria, Australia. 11 July 1908. p. 16 493:. No. 19, 335. Victoria, Australia. 8 July 1908. p. 8 308: 1247:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.J. Miller Printing Co. 1918 935:(Theatre Programmes Collection). J.L Anderson & Sons. 1909 877:"Barclay Theatre, Melbourne: Official Opening NFSA ID 55349" 749:
National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
1091:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: Fred Lory. 1914 1065:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: Fred Lory. 1914 961:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: Fred Lory. 1911 836:. Currency Press with Sydney University Press. p. 316. 53:
The King's Theatre Melbourne detail from theatre programme
1039:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: Syd Day. 1913 1013:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Melbourne: Syd Day Print 1299:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Table Talk Print. 1919 1273:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Table Talk Print. 1919 1351:(Theatre programme). Independent Theatre Company. 1949 34:
was a theatre in Melbourne, Australia, located at 133
776:(W.G. Alma Conjuring Collection photographs). c. 1922 302:Notable productions at the Kings Theatre include: 830:Thorne, Ross (1995). "King's Theatre Melbourne". 84:before working on designs for the Kings Theatre. 1437:Demolished buildings and structures in Melbourne 1423: 695:(Theatre Programmes Collection). Fred Lory. 1914 542:"Theatre Heritage Australia - The Kings Theatre" 258: 226:Film screenings and return to live performances 252:, which featured a large degree of swearing. 57:Opening in 1908, the theatre was designed by 1442:Buildings and structures demolished in 1977 181: 27:Historical building in Melbourne, Australia 529:– via National Library of Australia. 501:– via National Library of Australia. 111:in a leading role, as well as her brother 94: 71: 107:, a drama which featured Anderson's wife 742: 290: 185: 142:also put on productions at the theatre. 48: 14: 1424: 1267:"Quinney's by Horace Annesley Vachall" 829: 871: 869: 825: 823: 821: 819: 198:From 1915 the theatre's lessees were 712: 710: 655: 653: 626: 624: 595: 593: 591: 589: 587: 585: 583: 848:"Rusty Bugles is Clever Caricature" 539: 24: 1349:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1323:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1297:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1271:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1245:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1219:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1193:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1167:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1141:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1115:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1089:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1063:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1037:State Library Victoria (Australia) 1011:State Library Victoria (Australia) 959:State Library Victoria (Australia) 933:State Library Victoria (Australia) 907:State Library Victoria (Australia) 866: 816: 774:State Library Victoria (Australia) 722:State Library Victoria (Australia) 693:State Library Victoria (Australia) 194:at King's Theatre Melbourne (1919) 25: 1463: 833:Companion to Theatre in Australia 707: 689:"Maud Allan and the Cherniavskys" 650: 621: 580: 458: 298:, showing King's Theatre on right 1189:"Gran'dad Rudd / by Steele Rudd" 61:for the theatrical entrepreneur 1391: 1363: 1337: 1311: 1285: 1259: 1233: 1207: 1181: 1155: 1137:"Hindle Wakes/Stanley Houghton" 1129: 1103: 1077: 1051: 1025: 999: 973: 947: 921: 895: 840: 788: 762: 736: 280:One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 126:in a leading role. Her brother 987:. 16 September 1912. p. 7 681: 555: 533: 505: 477: 286: 248:, a drama about servicemen by 13: 1: 1379:. 21 January 1950. p. 31 471: 333:My Mate, or a Bush Love Story 259:Barclay Cinema and demolition 1432:Former theatres in Melbourne 7: 1405:. 26 April 1951. p. 18 1325:(Pictures Collection). 1920 903:"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" 804:. 15 April 1922. p. 19 743:Williams, Margaret (1979). 10: 1468: 854:. 18 April 1949. p. 3 718:"The Chance of a Lifetime" 638:. 16 July 1908. p. 18 277:. The last film shown was 1085:"Bunty Pulls the Strings" 669:. 13 July 1908. p. 3 609:. 18 June 1908. p. 6 309:Hamlet, Prince of Denmark 296:Russell Street, Melbourne 1163:"The Merchant of Venice" 322:The Chance of a Lifetime 182:Later live theatre years 160:The Chance of a Lifetime 18:Kings Theatre, Melbourne 796:"The Hanging of Nicola" 362:Bunty Pulls the Strings 164:The Squatter's Daughter 140:J. C. Williamson's 95:Opening and early years 72:Design and construction 636:Table Talk (Melbourne) 606:The Herald (Melbourne) 383:The Merchant of Venice 299: 195: 54: 490:The Argus (Melbourne) 294: 189: 82:Her Majesty's Theatre 52: 44:Little Collins Street 1447:Cinemas in Melbourne 1403:Advocate (Melbourne) 1371:"Screen And Theatre" 1033:"A Day at the Races" 513:"THE KING'S THEATRE" 485:"THE KING'S THEATRE" 274:The Ten Commandments 250:Sumner Locke Elliott 1241:"The Invisible Foe" 666:Bendigo Independent 661:"NEW KINGS THEATRE" 601:"THE KINGS THEATRE" 567:resource.acu.edu.au 190:Margaret Nybloc in 929:"The Great Rescue" 352:A Day at the Races 300: 196: 55: 1007:"The Land of Nod" 397:The Invisible Foe 232:Garnet H. Carroll 213:Sinbad the Sailor 16:(Redirected from 1459: 1415: 1414: 1412: 1410: 1395: 1389: 1388: 1386: 1384: 1367: 1361: 1360: 1358: 1356: 1341: 1335: 1334: 1332: 1330: 1315: 1309: 1308: 1306: 1304: 1289: 1283: 1282: 1280: 1278: 1263: 1257: 1256: 1254: 1252: 1237: 1231: 1230: 1228: 1226: 1211: 1205: 1204: 1202: 1200: 1185: 1179: 1178: 1176: 1174: 1159: 1153: 1152: 1150: 1148: 1133: 1127: 1126: 1124: 1122: 1111:"The Confession" 1107: 1101: 1100: 1098: 1096: 1081: 1075: 1074: 1072: 1070: 1055: 1049: 1048: 1046: 1044: 1029: 1023: 1022: 1020: 1018: 1003: 997: 996: 994: 992: 977: 971: 970: 968: 966: 951: 945: 944: 942: 940: 925: 919: 918: 916: 914: 899: 893: 892: 890: 888: 873: 864: 863: 861: 859: 844: 838: 837: 827: 814: 813: 811: 809: 792: 786: 785: 783: 781: 766: 760: 759: 757: 755: 740: 734: 733: 731: 729: 714: 705: 704: 702: 700: 685: 679: 678: 676: 674: 657: 648: 647: 645: 643: 628: 619: 618: 616: 614: 597: 578: 577: 575: 573: 559: 553: 552: 550: 548: 540:Marsden, Ralph. 537: 531: 530: 528: 526: 509: 503: 502: 500: 498: 481: 452:See How They Run 437:McCackie Moments 341:On Our Selection 316:The Great Rescue 269:Cecil B. DeMille 120:William Anderson 88:William Anderson 78:Princess Theatre 63:William Anderson 21: 1467: 1466: 1462: 1461: 1460: 1458: 1457: 1456: 1422: 1421: 1418: 1408: 1406: 1399:"Theatre Music" 1397: 1396: 1392: 1382: 1380: 1369: 1368: 1364: 1354: 1352: 1343: 1342: 1338: 1328: 1326: 1317: 1316: 1312: 1302: 1300: 1291: 1290: 1286: 1276: 1274: 1265: 1264: 1260: 1250: 1248: 1239: 1238: 1234: 1224: 1222: 1215:"De Luxe Annie" 1213: 1212: 1208: 1198: 1196: 1187: 1186: 1182: 1172: 1170: 1161: 1160: 1156: 1146: 1144: 1135: 1134: 1130: 1120: 1118: 1109: 1108: 1104: 1094: 1092: 1083: 1082: 1078: 1068: 1066: 1057: 1056: 1052: 1042: 1040: 1031: 1030: 1026: 1016: 1014: 1005: 1004: 1000: 990: 988: 981:"KINGS THEATRE" 979: 978: 974: 964: 962: 955:"The Christian" 953: 952: 948: 938: 936: 927: 926: 922: 912: 910: 901: 900: 896: 886: 884: 881:www.nfsa.gov.au 875: 874: 867: 857: 855: 846: 845: 841: 828: 817: 807: 805: 794: 793: 789: 779: 777: 768: 767: 763: 753: 751: 741: 737: 727: 725: 716: 715: 708: 698: 696: 687: 686: 682: 672: 670: 659: 658: 651: 641: 639: 630: 629: 622: 612: 610: 599: 598: 581: 571: 569: 561: 560: 556: 546: 544: 538: 534: 524: 522: 511: 510: 506: 496: 494: 483: 482: 478: 474: 461: 348:The Land of Nod 289: 265:Norman B. Rydge 261: 236:Benjamin Fuller 228: 184: 101:Sir Thomas Bent 97: 74: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1465: 1455: 1454: 1452:Former cinemas 1449: 1444: 1439: 1434: 1417: 1416: 1390: 1376:Smith's Weekly 1362: 1336: 1310: 1284: 1258: 1232: 1206: 1180: 1154: 1128: 1102: 1076: 1050: 1024: 998: 972: 946: 920: 894: 865: 839: 815: 787: 761: 735: 706: 680: 649: 620: 579: 554: 532: 504: 475: 473: 470: 469: 468: 460: 459:External links 457: 456: 455: 447: 444:The Highwayman 439: 433: 425: 417: 409: 399: 389: 378: 370: 368:The Confession 364: 354: 344: 336: 324: 318: 312: 288: 285: 260: 257: 227: 224: 183: 180: 151:Servais Le Roy 124:Eugenie Duggan 109:Eugenie Duggan 96: 93: 73: 70: 36:Russell Street 32:King's Theatre 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1464: 1453: 1450: 1448: 1445: 1443: 1440: 1438: 1435: 1433: 1430: 1429: 1427: 1420: 1404: 1400: 1394: 1378: 1377: 1372: 1366: 1350: 1346: 1340: 1324: 1320: 1314: 1298: 1294: 1288: 1272: 1268: 1262: 1246: 1242: 1236: 1220: 1216: 1210: 1194: 1190: 1184: 1168: 1164: 1158: 1142: 1138: 1132: 1116: 1112: 1106: 1090: 1086: 1080: 1064: 1060: 1054: 1038: 1034: 1028: 1012: 1008: 1002: 986: 982: 976: 960: 956: 950: 934: 930: 924: 908: 904: 898: 882: 878: 872: 870: 853: 849: 843: 835: 834: 826: 824: 822: 820: 803: 802: 797: 791: 775: 771: 765: 750: 746: 739: 723: 719: 713: 711: 694: 690: 684: 668: 667: 662: 656: 654: 637: 633: 627: 625: 608: 607: 602: 596: 594: 592: 590: 588: 586: 584: 568: 564: 558: 543: 536: 520: 519: 514: 508: 492: 491: 486: 480: 476: 466: 463: 462: 454: 453: 448: 446: 445: 440: 438: 434: 432: 431: 426: 424: 423: 418: 416: 415: 410: 408: 404: 400: 398: 394: 393:De Luxe Annie 390: 388: 387:Gran'dad Rudd 385: 384: 379: 377: 376: 371: 369: 365: 363: 359: 355: 353: 349: 345: 343: 342: 337: 335: 334: 329: 328:The Christian 325: 323: 319: 317: 313: 311: 310: 305: 304: 303: 297: 293: 284: 282: 281: 276: 275: 270: 266: 256: 253: 251: 247: 246: 239: 237: 233: 223: 221: 220: 215: 214: 209: 205: 201: 193: 188: 179: 177: 173: 172:Edmund Duggan 167: 165: 161: 156: 152: 148: 143: 141: 137: 133: 129: 128:Edmund Duggan 125: 121: 116: 114: 113:Edmund Duggan 110: 106: 102: 92: 89: 85: 83: 79: 69: 66: 64: 60: 51: 47: 45: 41: 40:Bourke Street 37: 33: 19: 1419: 1407:. 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Index

Kings Theatre, Melbourne
Russell Street
Bourke Street
Little Collins Street

William Pitt
William Anderson
Princess Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre
William Anderson
Sir Thomas Bent
Eugenie Duggan
Edmund Duggan
William Anderson
Eugenie Duggan
Edmund Duggan
Olive Wilton
Roy Redgrave
J. C. Williamson's
Maud Allan
Servais Le Roy
Talma
Edmund Duggan
Bert Bailey

Bert Bailey
John Henry
James Nevin
Sinbad the Sailor
Hellzapoppin

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