Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
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Location
825-839 Hay St Perth
Location Details
Cnr King St Also part of King Street Precinct 2031
Other Name(s)
Her Majesty's Hotel & Theatre
Construction Date
Constructed from 1902 to 1906
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Area | Adopted | 12 May 2009 | ||
| Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 | ||
| State Register | Registered | 16 Dec 1994 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 |
|
||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture | Completed | 01 Mar 1988 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 11 Jun 1973 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statement of Significance
The place is a fine example of Federation Free Classical style with an eclectic use of diverse decorative classical element, resulting in a rich visual and external quality unrivalled in Australia.
The place demonstrated Edwardian theatre architecture in its auditorium and stage design despite loss of some of the original stage features.
The place contributes an important element to the King Street Heritage Area.
The place is identified as part of the architecture produce in Western Australia by the wealth of the goldrush. The place has significance for the many international theatrical productions hosted in the theatre over the past ninety years. The place has close association with the development of theatre and dance in Western Australia.
Physical Description
His Majesty's Theatre is a four storey theatre and hotel building of load- bearing brick with stucco ornamentation in the Federation Free Classical style.
History
His Majesty's Theatre, built for Tom Malloy in 1904, opened as, and has always remained, a live theatre, except on certain occasions where an epic film was shown. The theatre opened with a production of "The Forty Thieves" on 24 December 1904. It was designed by William Wolf. It can seat 2,584 people in the three tiers of seating.
The domed roof was designed to be opened for ventilation. Unfortunately, the two tiers of balconies were removed in 1947-48, as the supporting pillars were considered a traffic hazard.
By the 1970's the Hotel had become rundown and seedy and the new Concert Hall was the favoured performing venue. There were plans to demolish it, however a public campaign persuaded the State Government to buy and renovate the theatre in order to provide adequate venue for local performing arts companies. The hotel space was given over to administrative and public spaces. In the early 1980s the building was restored.
In 2021 a project by the State Government will reinstate the verandahs.
Integrity/Authenticity
High level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity as some parts of the building were altered irrevocably during the restoration. However overall, there is a reasonable degree of authenticity.
Condition
Fair
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Malloy | Architect | - | - |
| Frederick Liebe | Architect | - | - |
| William Wolf | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720.9941 | COW Perth and Suburbs: Building Classified and recorded by the National Trust, (1979) pp 19. Cownie, Marie and Stewart; | 1979 | |
| 1.11/825 | Conservation Plan for His Majesty's Theatre: by Considine and Griffiths Architects | ||
| 994.1 | STA People of Perth, (1979) pp 224, 235 by Stannage, C.T | 1979 | |
| Q 711.409 | SED A City and Its Setting, (1986) pp 54, 155, 254, 266, 268 by Seddon, George | 1986 | |
| 720.9941 | WES Western Towns and Buildings, (1979) pp 122, 123, 211, 294 by Pitt Morrison, M and White, J (Eds) | 1979 | |
| Draft Municipal Heritage Inventory | City of Perth | 2001 | |
| Register of Heritage Places-Assessment Documentation, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth | 1994 | ||
| Q 725.822 | WILL History of His Majesty's Theatre, (1982) by Willshire, Carolyn | 1982 | |
| Q 720.994 | SMI Treasures of Australia, (1983) pp 131 by Smith, R and Flower, C | 1983 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11683 | His Majesty's Theatre - conservation management strategy (Restricted release) | Heritage Study {Other} | 2018 |
| 5551 | Five graves in Dalwallinu : a life of Wilhelm Gustave Liebe. | Book | 1991 |
| 7122 | A dream of passion : the centennial history of His Majesty's Theatre. | Book | 2004 |
| 3355 | His Majesty's Theatre : conservation plan. | Heritage Study {Other} | 1995 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Theatre or Cinema |
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Theatre or Cinema |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Federation Free Classical |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Rendered Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Sport, recreation & entertainment |
| OCCUPATIONS | Commercial & service industries |
Creation Date
30 May 1989Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
28 Jun 2024Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.