Metropolis Fremantle
{{Short description|Theatre and music venue in Fremantle, Western Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox building
| name = {{wikidata |property |P1448 }}
| native_name =
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| former_names = King's Theatre, Dalkeith Opera House, Metropolis Concert Club Fremantle
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| image = Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Metropolis Fremantle (3 8 2010) (4879058860).jpg
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| caption = Black Rebel Motorcycle Club performing at Metropolis in 2010
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| mapframe-marker = bar
| mapframe-marker-colour = #BE1596
| mapframe-stroke-colour = #C60C30
| mapframe-zoom = 13
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| architectural_style = Federation Free Style
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| client =
| owner = James Gallop
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| location =
| address = 58 South Terrace, Fremantle
| location_town = Fremantle
| location_country = Australia
| coordinates = {{coord |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:50 |name={{wikidata |property |P1448 }} |display=inline,title |format=dms}}
| groundbreaking_date = 1904
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| opened_date = 27 September 1904
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| renovation_date = 2000-02
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| floor_count = 2
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| seating_type =
| seating_capacity = 1,200
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| architect = Federick William Burwell
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| main_contractor = James Brownlie
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| website = {{Official URL}}
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Metropolis Fremantle, formerly known as King's Theatre, is a performance venue and nightclub located at 58 South Terrace, Fremantle, adjacent to the Sail and Anchor Hotel.
History
The property was the site of the "Old Englyshe Fayre", an open area entertainment venue, built by Court, Butcher and Co (Elsie Court and Thomas W. Butcher){{Cite web|url=http://ozvta.com/industry-yoefs/ |publisher=Australian Variety Theatre Archive |title=Ye Olde Englyshe Fayres: Western Australia |date=6 December 2011 |accessdate=17 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125224158/http://ozvta.com/industry-yoefs/ |archivedate=25 November 2013 }} in 1897.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3185773 |title=Ye Olde Englyshe Fayre|newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=14 October 1897 |accessdate=17 May 2013 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} The foundation stone for the theatre was laid by the owner, James Gallop, on 20 February 1904. Tenders for the project had been let in January of that year and when the foundation ceremony was performed, James Brownlie, the contractor, had completed the foundations and commenced the brickwork for all external walls. The project consisted of the theatre and five shops on a site adjoining the Freemasons Hotel, (now Sail and Anchor Hotel) at that time also owned by James Gallop. Entry was between shops into a foyer on ground floor, to stalls in the auditorium and a staircase led to supper rooms over the shops, accessible to the dress circle, with a balcony over the pavement.{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25363269 |title=The New Theatre at Fremantle|newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=26 September 1904 |accessdate=16 May 2013 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}
The King's Theatre was opened on 27 September 1904.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57195552 |title=King's Theatre|newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=Perth |date=25 September 1904 |accessdate=16 May 2013 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25363528 |title=News and Notes|newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=29 September 1904 |accessdate=16 May 2013 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} It was also commonly known as the Dalkeith Opera House, in reference to the owner, James Gallop of (the suburb of) Dalkeith. The large, two storey, theatre building was designed to accommodate 1,200 people. The venue was used by a range of promoters presented live performances from concerts, pantomime, plays to follies featuring singers, dancers, musical and acrobatic numbers.{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81368931 |title=King's Theatre, Fremantle|newspaper=The Daily News |location=Perth |date=17 June 1918 |accessdate=17 May 2013 |page=3 Edition: Second Edition|via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86038237 |title=King's Theatre, Fremantle|newspaper=The Daily News |location=Perth |date=1 October 1904 |accessdate=16 May 2013 |page=9 Edition: First Edition |via=National Library of Australia}} It was also used to screen films and as a boxing venue.{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58000925 |title=Boxing at Fremantle|newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=Perth |date=16 March 1919 |accessdate=17 May 2013 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}
The King's Theatre was used during World War I by a repertory group known as the Black Butterflies.
The building still stands with its rendered brick, decorative cornice, stuccoed parapet and pediment. The theatre had a sliding roof, a large fly system and twelve dressing rooms. The street frontage is now given over to shops.
In 1991 the venue was opened as Metropolis Concert Club Fremantle, in 2002 following extensive renovations the club was re-opened as Metropolis Fremantle.
In December 2015, Adam Ryan Kennedy, a bouncer working at the club, placed a patron into a chokehold and hit his head against a wall while unconscious. He was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term and a $5000 fine.{{cite news |title=Fremantle nightclub security guard escapes jail time for assault on patron |first=Shannon |last=Hampton |date=2017-01-30 |work=Perth Now |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/fremantle-nightclub-security-guard-escapes-jail-time-for-assault-on-patron/news-story/577dc6c3bcb3200453563e3cf0f44d9b
References
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Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite web|title=FORMER DALKEITH OPERA HOUSE|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/eb1d57b8-2247-4ae9-ae65-83245b594d03|publisher=State Heritage Office, Government of Western Australia|accessdate=16 May 2013|author=City of Fremantle|date=23 December 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616072249/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/eb1d57b8-2247-4ae9-ae65-83245b594d03|archivedate=16 June 2013}}
{{refend}}