East End Theatre District
The East End Theatre District is a precinct within the Melbourne city centre, and is bounded by Spring Street, Flinders Street, Swanston Street, and Lonsdale Street. The district is home to six of Melbourne's major theatres, including the Princess Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, and the Regent Theatre.[1]
History
The East End of Melbourne was effectively formed by the Hoddle Grid, with Elizabeth Street the dividing line between east and west. The Hoddle Grid was laid out in 1837, following the founding of the Melbourne settlement in 1835.
Melbourne's first theatre, the Pavilion, was constructed adjacent to the Eagle Tavern on Bourke Street in 1842.[2] The second theatre, the Queen's, was also constructed as part of a pub, however it was, and remains, the only major theatre in Melbourne built west of Elizabeth Street.[2]
Current theatres
There are six surviving theatres that still exist within the East End:
- Princess Theatre
- Her Majesty's Theatre
- Regent Theatre
- Athenaeum Theatre
- Comedy Theatre
- Forum Theatre
References
- ↑ "Melbourne celebrates the newly named East End Theatre District". Theatre People. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Theatre - Entry - eMelbourne - The Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online". Emelbourne.net.au. Retrieved 16 February 2015.