Her Majesty's Theatre

In June 2000, Mike Walsh purchased the theatre. Major renovations occurred over the next two years. The stage house was completely demolished and rebuilt with technical facilities that now allow the theatre to house the most demanding of modern productions. Modifications were made to the Dress Circle foyer to provide access to the Grand Circle. The building design from 1934 provided a separate entrance to the Grand Circle off Little Bourke Street, it being thought inappropriate for patrons sitting in the ‘gods’ to mingle with those in the more expensive seats. Dressing rooms were modernized and new access was built to unload semi-trailers onto the stage. Further work continues around the building to improve facilities for patrons and performers alike. However, one of the charms of Her Majesty’s is that there are constant reminders both ‘front of house’ and backstage of the glorious history of the building, from the original 1886 Alexandra to the establishment of the J C Williamson family in the early 1900s and the 1934 rebuild. Her Majesty’s is a true icon of Australian theatre, held in great affection by audiences and theatre workers alike.