The Empire Theatre

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Empire Theatre Construction
Empire Theatre Construction
Empire Theatre Facade
Empire Theatre Facade
Empire Theatre Exterior
Empire Theatre Exterior
Empire Theatre Interior
Empire Theatre Interior
Side View of Empire Theatre
Side View of Empire Theatre

The Empire Theatre is located in Toowoomba, Queensland, and is a fine example of art deco architecture in Australia. It is a heritage site listed by the National Trust of Queensland.

The theatre is able to hold 2,400 people, making it the largest regional theatre in Australia.

It is also often referred to as one of the best performing arts venues in Australia.

The design of the building is reminiscent of the glory days of Hollywood even to the palm trees framing the exterior and in the metallic gold and bronze of the entry foyer, two plinth-mounted fish tanks.

The stage is over 13 metres wide and 8 metres high with more than 15 metres of wing space combined. It has 80 fly lines including 5 overhead lighting bars and an orchestra pit that can be hydraulically raised to audience floor or stage thrust levels.

One of the Empire Theatre's most striking features, the grand proscenium arch, is thought to be the only one of its kind left in the world. The decorative plaster work, its size, its structure, and its tasteful appointments give theatre patrons a sense of occasion.

[edit] History

  • 29 June 1911: first opened to the public of Toowoomba.
  • February 1933: fire broke out, almost completely destroying the Empire Theatre.
  • October 1933: the world's largest cinema house light was installed. Affectionately dubbed the 'bomber' light, it was taken down during the war years when locals feared that a bomb may be dropped, sending a shower of glass onto theatre patrons below.
  • November 1933: reopened and rebuilt in the architectural styling of art deco.
  • September 1939: closed down when World War II broke out.
  • June 1997: after years of neglect and after being on the brink of being demolished because of safety issues, It was reopened after an elaborate fit out of modern theatre equipment.
  • 1998: The Empire Theatre awarded "The Best Theatre in Australia" by the Australian Leisure Management Magazine that placed it amongst the top eight leisure and entertainment projects in Australia.