Theatre RoyalPrint Page

The plaque commemorates the site of the Theatre Royal; opened in 1885 and demolished in 1935. The plaque is an engraved brass plate with blue ceramic background with the design of a theatre stage with curtains and crown with inscription.

The Theatre Royal was one of the premier theatres in Melbourne throughout the 19th century and early 20th century. First built in 1855, it was located at what is now 236 Bourke Street, Melbourne in the heart of what was once the city's theatre and entertainment district.

Gay era is recalled 

Old Theatre Royal 

Bronze plaque unveiled

The gay theatrical era of 40 years ago was recalled yesterday, when about 200 actors and actresses, many of them with grey hair, met at the site of the old Theatre Royal in Bourke Street.  The meeting was held in Manton`s Emporium, which was built on the foundation of the theatre.  A bronze plaque was unveiled by Miss Lucy Coppin, a daughter of the late Mr. George Coppin, who managed the theatre for many years.  The inscription on the plaque, - one speaker said, traced the strange, eventful history of one of the most widely known theatres in the world.

"Mr. A. S. Kenyon in an introductory address said that the last night of the Theatre Royal, on November 17, 1933 was probably the most memorable night in the history of the theatre.  The building was crowded and the audience did not leave unti after midnight.  The Chairman of the meeting (Mr. Charles Daley) outlined the history of the theatre from its first play of July 16 1885, Sheridan`s "School for Scandal". Three generations of playgoers had seen some of the world`s finest actors there, he said.

Mr. A. Peters said that the flesh and blood theatre will come up again after the motion picture has said its last. Among those who attended were Miss Joan Coppin, who is the great-granddaughter of the late Mr. Coppin ; Mr. William Anderson ; Miss Peta Pelham, who is said to be the oldest actress in the world ; Mr. Fanning, who on his 16th birthday was the first person in the gallery on the opening night of the theatre ; and Miss Lillie Bryer, whose name is on the Royal`s oldest playbill.

[ Argus, Melbourne - Monday 20th December 1937 ]

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