Once surrounded by brothels and opium dens, the iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre has survived two world wars, depression, a fire and Dame Edna! A new book details its 133-year history.
Even if you’re not from Melbourne, odds are you’ve visited Her Majesty’s Theatre at some point in your life. Built in 1886, and making up part of the East End Theatre District, this city icon even predates Broadway.
The Nineteenth Century Victorian gold rush brought an economic boom to Melbourne and the entertainment scene flourish with open-air circuses and equestrian events at the site of Her Majesty’s, though it was previously called The Hippodrome. Progress led to the erection of the beautiful Victorian Alexandra Theatre, and its opening show was called Bad Lads and apart from Italian opera, the venue housed Saturday afternoon wrestling! Then in 1900 it was refurbished and renamed Her Majesty’s, after Queen Victoria. Would she have approved of it housing the School of Rock?
A new book by Australian entertainment historian Frank Van Straten, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne: The Shows, the Stars, the Stories, gives a concise rundown of this theatrical institution over fourteen decades, and he’s easily the theatre’s number one fan.
“It all began for me in 1947,” says Straten. “ My parents loved all types of theatre and took me to The Maj to see Annie Get Your Gun. I was hooked! I fell in love with the theatre, the show, and its now-legendary star, Evie Hayes. Many years later at Her Majesty’s 100th birthday, she was an honored guest on my ABC Radio Nostalgia program.”
Since its construction, Her Majesty’s has housed famed artists such as Anna Pavlova, John Barrymore, Jerry Hall and Marcel Marceau. Katherine Hepburn stared with Sir Robert Helpmann in a 1955 production of The Merchant of Venice. Dame Nellie Melba insisted the theatre was remodeled for better acoustics, and Marlene Dietrich famously walked off stage, only to break her leg – four days before her famous leg-insurance policy ran out!
“I loved meeting and chatting with backstage and front-of-house crew,” says Straten. “They have so many stories, and a great love and respect for the theatre. But really the most interesting and important person I’ve met, would be Mike Walsh. In 2000 the Maj was doomed to be redeveloped, but Mike rescued it and poured millions of dollars into restoring its former Art Deco glory.”
While more recent productions have included Strictly Ballroom, Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, the theatre is currently preparing to host another Aussie icon, Muriel’s Wedding. And to think it once housed separate entrances for the rich and poor – something that ceased with the rise of cinema and television!
But whether it’s The Seekers reuniting on stage for the Georgy Girl premier, Peter Allen performing I Still Call Australia Home for the very first time, or the crowds who gathered to protest the hanging of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, Her Majesty’s theatre has played an important role in the history of not only Melbourne, but Australia as a whole. It’s also something of a jewel in the crown of a much larger theatre district.
“I think it’s special to Melbourne theatre-goers because it’s an integral element of what’s now called the East End Theatre District,” says Straten.
“It’s a special part of the CBD, similar to Broadway and London’s West End. It’s home not only to Her Majesty’s, but also the Princess, Comedy, Athenaeum, Forum and Regent theatres. All are great live venues within a stone’s throw of each other, and there’s nothing else like it in Australia!”
For more on Her Majesty’s Theatre and to order the book visit: www.hmt.com.au
