Venue of choice for large theatrical productions The Regent Theatre Melbourne has a vibrant history.
The theatre was originally built in 1929 as a flagship Melbourne theatre for Francis W Thrings Regent franchise. It provided a mixture of film and live entertainment and was affectionately called the “Palace of Dreams”.
With 3250 seats and a Wurlitzer organ it was the second largest theatre aside from the state theatre. It housed a ballroom, The Plaza in the basement.
Fire gutted the auditorium in 1945. The precious Wurlitzer organ was also destroyed in the fire. The building was eventually reconstructed to create one of the last picture houses in the region.
With the arrival of television and changing public tastes, the theatre went through many years struggling to survive. Many people fought to save the building but finally in 1970 furniture and fittings were sold and the theatre shut down.
The deserted Regent Theatre became a subject of much local debate. It was bought by the Melbourne City Council who intended to demolish the building to create or at least enlarge a city square. Many Melbourne residents fought this notion and wanted their building and its heritage to be retained. Building unions even went so far as to place a green ban on the site.
The restoration revival faction fought to retain the Regent as a venue for the classical performing arts. In 1993 the state government and the Melbourne City Council purchased the building and it was lovingly restored. The exterior is restored in the renaissance revival tradition while the interior is in the Rococo style of architecture.
The Regent Melbourne reopened with a gala in 1996 with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard.
The Regent Theatre once again has retained its original character and has another Wurlitzer organ.
The Regent Theatre Melbourne is located on Collins Street between Swanston and Russell Streets. It is within walking distance of Flinders Street Station.
