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From 2001, the theatre was leased by the Metro
Central Community Church (now the LifeCity Church) and purchased by them in 2003. The church used the theatre for its church services and other events and also offered it for hire to others for use as a theatre and a venue for weddings and other events.
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The backstage area is painted black. A high level walkway runs around the perimeter and a stair in the southeast corner leads to the basement. The basement has a concrete floor and contains a central storage/performance space with dressing rooms to the north and an office area to the south, all with
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From 1949 to 1985 the building lost all association with the performing arts, and was rented to various small businesses, including a paper wholesaler, an engineering firm, a rag merchant, a second hand dealer and a used appliance retailer. The stage area was leased separately to a printing firm for
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The foyer has a sloping floor to the auditorium entrance, and a central timber stair to the gallery level and first floor offices. The wall surfaces have been rendered and scribed to imitate stone blocks and a new ceiling with downlights has been installed. A door opens to the shops on either side.
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acquired the property in 1899 and used the theatre as a clothing factory, although the stage was still hired for occasional performances. In 1902, he rented the building to a retail drapery company known as the DIA or Direct
Importing Association. From 1907, it was leased by businessman John Burke
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The
Princess Theatre is important in exhibiting a range of aesthetic characteristics valued by the Brisbane community, local residents and those interested in theatre design, in particular: the ornately decorated street facade and more restrained interior; and the building's contribution to the
642:
It is particularly significant as the only intact surviving 19th century theatre in
Brisbane, demonstrating an aspect of Brisbane's cultural heritage which is now rare, and is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a substantial 19th century masonry theatre.
633:
It is particularly significant as the only intact surviving 19th century theatre in
Brisbane, demonstrating an aspect of Brisbane's cultural heritage which is now rare, and is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a substantial 19th century masonry theatre.
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Thomas Finney died in 1903 and the property eventually transferred to Finney Isles and
Company who sold it to John Dent in 1912. Dent leased space to Thomas Hall for a clothing workshop, which was in operation in a separate building behind the theatre from 1912 until 1938.
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leased the theatre which they renamed The
Princess. In 1914, the theatre was purchased by Brisbane solicitor Herbert Brealy Hemming who retained ownership until his death in 1942. Wests operated the theatre until 1925 but it continued after then as a movie-house.
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owners Steve
Sleswick and Dave Sleswick, who refurbished the theatre as a venue for live music and the arts. The first concert in the refurbished auditorium was held in August 2021 ahead of the venue's official opening in October 2021.
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The
Princess Theatre has a strong and extensive association with Brisbane theatre, both amateur and professional and has a special association with Brisbane architect John Beauchamp Nicholson as an example of his commercial work.
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The
Princess Theatre has a strong and extensive association with Brisbane theatre, both amateur and professional and has a special association with Brisbane architect John Beachamp Nicholson as an example of his commercial work.
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349:) site, set up the subscription company, and commissioned Brisbane architect John Beauchamp Nicholson to design the hall. It was erected the following year by builder Blair Cunningham, for a contract price of
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The Princess Theatre is a two-storey rectangular brick building fronting Annerley Road to the west, with narrow laneways to either side and rear. The building has three roof sections, the front having a
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with a central public hall which could be hired for public meetings, lectures, balls, theatrical and musical performances and other public functions. In 1887 Hardgrave acquired the Boggo Road (later
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The first floor contains offices open onto the west verandah. Toilets behind open off the top of the stair. The gallery is accessed from the landing and contains six rows of tiered seating.
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wall. The building has timber walkways along the north and south elevations with double timber doors and casement windows with fanlights opening from the auditorium.
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In 2020, the Church decided to move to more suitable premises and put the Princess up for sale. It was sold that year to new owners, businessman Steve Wilson and
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From 1942 to 1945 the theatre served as the administrative and rehearsal centre for the United States Entertainment Unit. In the years immediately following
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a ten-year lease from 1986. Internal restoration and refitting was carried out by TN!. Due to financial difficulties, TN!'s last production was in 1991.
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In the early years, the privately funded hall was known variously as the South Brisbane Public Hall (1888–91) and the Boggo Road Theatre (1892-1904).
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and panelling below. The ceiling is curved at the corners with boarded panels running lengthwise, widthwise and diagonally. The central area has two
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The Princess Theatre is important in demonstrating the evolution of Woolloongabba/South Brisbane as a major urban centre in Brisbane in the 1880s.
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The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.
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The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
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Dent who established a clothing factory there. In 1909, there was a major fire which damaged the walls and ceiling of the theatre.
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The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
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and built in 1888. It is also known as South Brisbane Public Hall and Boggo Road Theatre. It was added to the
575:. A kitchen/bar has been installed in this area which is separated from the auditorium by an open stud wall.
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The ground floor has a shopfront to either side of the entrance, with a glazed wide arched opening framed by
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In 1985 the property was acquired by REMM Group Ltd, who carried out external restoration, and offered
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Its construction was an entrepreneurial venture responding to the needs of a rapidly expanding
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The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.
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The other three elevations are of face brick, having darker brick to the ground floor, with a
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and the South Brisbane Public Hall Syndicate which was incorporated as a Company in 1890.
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The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.
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foyer – entrance, stage/sound shell, dress circle, foyer – dress circle, proscenium arch
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columns and the sloping gallery by four timber posts. The underside of the gallery has
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860:. Vol. LIII, no. 12, 153. Queensland, Australia. 26 December 1896. p. 6
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888:. Vol. LXV, no. 16, 025. Queensland, Australia. 22 May 1909. p. 16.
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In 1893, the title to the property was transferred from Hardgrave to his father,
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537:. This elevation has a rooftop balustrade, between column tops surmounted by
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on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the
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The symmetrical, rendered west elevation displays a highly decorative
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920:. No. 12, 336. Queensland, Australia. 1 June 1912. p. 10.
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Company (later TN! Theatre Co.) - all performed at the Princess.
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1082:"By royal appointment – Open Season 2021 at The Princess Theatre"
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832:. No. 8, 278. Queensland, Australia. 31 May 1899. p. 5
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The auditorium has face brick walls with rendered pilasters and
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This large brick building was constructed in 1888 for prominent
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Princess Theatre, South Brisbane Public Hall/Boggo Road Theatre
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In the 1930s Brisbane's fledgling amateur theatre companies -
1002:"Brisbane's Princess Theatre returns to its live venue roots"
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The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.
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has rendered pilasters and entablature with a laurel frieze.
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on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.
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began using the theatre and they took out a lease in 1896.
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Location of Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba in Queensland
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813:
Queensland State Archives Item PR283357 Company Records
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with laurels in relief. The mansard roof rises behind.
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1888–1949, 1942–1945, 1985–ongoing (historical, social)
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Artist's sketch of the theatre interior, circa 1892
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560:which pre-date the existing stair and balustrade.
506:. The entrance has double timber doors and arched
1107:"Beloved Brisbane theatre set to reopen – JDA Co"
1032:"Beloved Brisbane theatre set to reopen – JDA Co"
563:The auditorium is entered under the gallery, or
1138:This Knowledge article was originally based on
971:"Heritage-listed Brisbane theatre up for sale"
483:influence in its design. The central entrance
8:
261:Princess Theatre (Woolloongabba) (Australia)
932:– via National Library of Australia.
900:– via National Library of Australia.
868:– via National Library of Australia.
840:– via National Library of Australia.
594:on cast iron grating for ventilation. The
341:population. It provided the newly created
294:, Australia. It was designed by architect
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27:
1159:"Queensland heritage register boundaries"
656:streetscape and Woolloongabba townscape.
567:. The landing above is supported by two
465:and the auditorium and backstage having
1170:licence (accessed on 5 September 2014,
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472:roofs with central raised sections for
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377:Thomas Finney of Finney, Isles and Co
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556:The landing level has carved timber
613:Princess Theatre was listed on the
1228:John Beauchamp Nicholson buildings
1213:Entertainment venues in Queensland
1152:licence (accessed on 7 July 2014,
1141:"The Queensland heritage register"
1012:from the original on 8 August 2021
981:from the original on 8 August 2021
792:from the original on 8 August 2021
529:, columns, entablature and arched
14:
969:Lynch, Lydia (24 February 2020).
946:. LifeCity Church. Archived from
924:from the original on 6 April 2022
892:from the original on 6 April 2022
743:"Princess Theatre (entry 600353)"
21:Princess Theatre (disambiguation)
1233:1888 establishments in Australia
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252:
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108:1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
31:Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
1:
1238:2021 mergers and acquisitions
786:Highgate Hill and Its History
782:"Brisbane's Princess Theatre"
751:. Queensland Heritage Council
16:Historic theatre in Australia
1203:Queensland Heritage Register
1000:Moore, Tony (9 April 2021).
880:"Fire at a Clothing Factory"
748:Queensland Heritage Register
615:Queensland Heritage Register
510:with coloured glass panels.
456:Princess Theatre, circa 1941
300:Queensland Heritage Register
147:Queensland Heritage Register
491:, on square bases, with an
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1223:Theatres completed in 1888
400:Brisbane Repertory Theatre
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343:Borough of South Brisbane
211:
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541:, with a central curved
521:. The first floor has a
404:La Boite Theatre Company
296:John Beauchamp Nicholson
125:John Beauchamp Nicholson
533:panels with decorative
944:"The Princess Theatre"
824:"Purchase of Property"
573:pressed metal sheeting
457:
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315:
236:Show map of Queensland
196:Significant components
165:state heritage (built)
131:Architectural style(s)
1174:on 15 October 2014).
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412:Twelfth Night Theatre
408:Brisbane Arts Theatre
376:
337:, Woolloongabba, and
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278:is a heritage-listed
264:Show map of Australia
1218:Theatres in Brisbane
885:The Brisbane Courier
857:The Brisbane Courier
302:on 21 October 1992.
89:27.4864°S 153.0294°E
19:For other uses, see
1164:State of Queensland
1146:State of Queensland
950:on 16 February 2015
430:TN! Theatre Company
85: /
912:"NEW PICTURE HALL"
458:
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186:Significant period
178:Reference no.
94:-27.4864; 153.0294
1162:published by the
1144:published by the
602:external access.
324:Phillip Hardgrave
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42:Structure in 2015
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1186:Official website
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788:. 31 July 2021.
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189:1888 (fabric)
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1168:CC-BY 3.0 AU
1158:
1150:CC-BY 3.0 AU
1140:
1132:
1114:. Retrieved
1111:jdaco.com.au
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1089:. Retrieved
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1064:. Retrieved
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1039:. Retrieved
1036:jdaco.com.au
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1014:. Retrieved
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983:. Retrieved
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948:the original
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926:. Retrieved
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894:. Retrieved
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862:. Retrieved
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1129:Attribution
1116:29 November
1091:29 November
1066:29 November
1041:29 November
954:11 December
852:"CHRISTMAS"
584:architraves
519:entablature
493:entablature
474:ventilation
448:Description
92: /
80:153°01′46″E
68:Coordinates
63:, Australia
1197:Categories
678:References
527:balustrade
441:The Tivoli
322:solicitor
292:Queensland
170:Designated
135:Classicism
77:27°29′11″S
61:Queensland
569:cast iron
558:balusters
535:keystones
515:pilasters
481:classical
121:Architect
1172:archived
1154:archived
1016:8 August
1010:Archived
985:8 August
979:Archived
928:9 August
922:Archived
896:9 August
890:Archived
864:9 August
836:9 August
796:8 August
790:Archived
755:1 August
543:pediment
531:spandrel
523:verandah
508:fanlight
410:and the
320:Brisbane
48:Location
1057:"About"
580:cornice
550:parapet
539:spheres
495:with a
489:columns
485:portico
353:5,220.
306:History
280:theatre
1166:under
1148:under
504:relief
500:frieze
497:laurel
467:hipped
181:600353
1086:Aruga
592:roses
402:(now
282:at 8
113:Built
1118:2023
1093:2023
1068:2023
1043:2023
1018:2021
987:2021
956:2014
930:2021
898:2021
866:2021
838:2021
798:2021
757:2014
588:dado
517:and
162:Type
116:1888
502:in
406:),
1199::
1109:.
1084:.
1059:.
1034:.
1008:.
1004:.
977:.
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