Queen's Theatre, Adelaide#New Queen's Theatre

{{Short description|Performing arts venue in Adelaide, South Australia}}

The Queen's Theatre is a building of historic importance in Playhouse Lane, Adelaide, South Australia. It is the oldest intact theatre in mainland Australia, having originally been built in 1840, the only earlier one in Australia being the still-operational Theatre Royal in Hobart, Tasmania (completed in 1836). It was not the first theatre to open in Adelaide however; there were two earlier, less sophisticated earlier venues created in 1838–39.

The Queen's original incarnation only lasted for a couple of years before a recession forced closure, and the building was turned to other uses. The New Queen's Theatre operated in the billiard room of the tavern next door between 1846 and 1850, until the Queen's refurbishment and re-opening as the Royal Victoria Theatre in 1850. "The Victoria", as it was known locally, was Adelaide's only theatre until 1868, when competition from the new Theatre Royal in Hindley Street led to its closure. After a series of other uses, Heritage SA bought the building in the 1980s, and it was eventually restored and reopened as a performance venue in the 1996 Adelaide Festival.

History

=Background=

By the early 1800s, live performance was increasing in popularity in Australia, although no entertainment venues existed to house performances. In the 1830s, both Sydney and Hobart received two theatres, the first in the Australian colonies.{{cite book |title= Heritage of the City of Adelaide: an illustrated guide |publisher= Corporation of the City of Adelaide and the National Library of Australia |year=1989 |first1= Susan |first2=Paul |first3= Patricia |last1= Marsden |last2= Stark |last3= Sumerling |isbn=0-909866-30-9}} The first theatre to open in Adelaide was the Theatre Royal in 1838, on the first floor of the Adelaide Tavern in Franklin Street, one of Adelaide's main hotels, just two years after the colony was founded. On 23 November 1839, Samson Cameron, an actor and theatre company manager, opened the Royal Victoria Theatre on North Terrace near Morphett Street in a converted warehouse.{{cite news |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27440983 |title= Royal Victoria Theatre |newspaper= South Australian Register |location= Adelaide |date= 16 November 1839 |access-date= 10 August 2012 |page= 3 |publisher= National Library of Australia |archive-date= 20 March 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102706/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27440983 |url-status= live }}{{cite web|website=Adelaide Writer|url=https://adelaidewriter.com.au/2017/01/29/queens-theatre/|title=Queen's Theatre|date=29 January 2017|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102710/https://adelaidewriter.com.au/2017/01/29/queens-theatre/|url-status=live}}

=First Queen's=

Attempts to build a more substantial theatre in an increasingly prosperous Adelaide were made, with a declaration by the South Australian Register stating "...Mr Solomon, of Currie Street, is about to make an important addition to the quarter of Gilles Arcade, by the erection of a spacious and handsome edifice which he ends to fit up as a theatre".

It was built for ex-convicts Emanuel Solomon (1800–1873), who moved to Adelaide in 1837, and his Sydney-based brother Vaiben Solomon (1802–1860)Two of Vaiben's brothers lived in Adelaide: Emanuel and Isaac. The more famous Vaiben Louis Solomon was his great uncle, son of Judah Moss Solomon, son of Moss Solomon, who was the eldest brother of Emanuel, Vaiben and Isaac. in 1840{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27441265 |title=Gilles Arcade |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=14 March 1840 |access-date=10 August 2012 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102648/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27441265 |url-status=live }} for £3000{{Cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/finds-from-the-19th-century-in-archaeological-dig-at-old-queens-theatre-to-be-handed-to-sa-museum/news-story/44f23c33f955b28dda66935136ee98ac?login=1|title=Adelaidenow.com.au {{!}} Subscribe to The Advertiser for exclusive stories|website=www.adelaidenow.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-04-07|archive-date=2021-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102650/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fnews%2Fsouth-australia%2Ffinds-from-the-19th-century-in-archaeological-dig-at-old-queens-theatre-to-be-handed-to-sa-museum%2Fnews-story%2F44f23c33f955b28dda66935136ee98ac&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=9187bb5a97f067d6e75f3c42bd094b9f-1616236010|url-status=live}} with seating for over 1000 people.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55729046|title=Our Notable Pioneers|date=7 November 1936|newspaper=The Mail|access-date=8 August 2012|publisher=National Library of Australia|location=Adelaide|page=4 Section: Magazine|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102712/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55729046|url-status=live}} The project had dire predictions of failure from the press{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71620577 |title=The Queen's Theatre |newspaper=Southern Australian |location=Adelaide |date=29 December 1840 |access-date=8 August 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102700/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620577 |url-status=live }} and opened with Othello on 11 January 1841,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36851960 |title=The Queen's Theatre |newspaper=The Australian |location=Sydney |date=28 January 1841 |access-date=8 August 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102710/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36851960 |url-status=live }} the manager John Lazar in the title role, to "mixed reviews".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195860485 |title=The Queen's Theatre |newspaper=Adelaide Chronicle and South Australian Literary Record |volume=II |issue=LVIII |location=South Australia |date=13 January 1841 |access-date=18 June 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102836/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/195860485 |url-status=live }}

Unfortunately, public appetite for entertainment had waned with a financial recession brought on by Governor Grey's fiscally responsible regime following the prosperity of Governor Gawler's rule, when huge sums were invested in public infrastructure. After months of losing money, Lazar dismissed his company and converted the seating to something more appropriate to public meetings,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71615222 |title=Theatricals in Adelaide |newspaper=Southern Australian |volume=IV |issue=237 |location=South Australia |date=27 August 1841 |access-date=18 June 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102707/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71615222 |url-status=live }} and some use was made of the theatre for public meetings and lectures, but did not renew his lease. Solomon offered the government use of the theatre gratis if they would prohibit the building of further taverns in the vicinity (his Shakspere Tavern,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50246683 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=7 February 1849 |access-date=10 August 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102713/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50246683 |url-status=live }} subsequently named Temple Tavern, was adjacent). This was rejected, but in 1843 the government signed a contract with Solomon for three years' rental at £200 per annum for use as Resident Magistrates Court, Supreme Court and offices for the Registrar General, the Advocate General, the Assistant Crown Solicitor and Assistant to the Bench of Magistrates.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37115150 |title=South Australia |newspaper=The Australian |location=Sydney |date=24 July 1843 |access-date=8 August 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102702/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37115150 |url-status=live }}

Between 1846 and 1847 Solomon, whose nephew Judah Moss Solomon (1818–1880) was an occasional partner, attempted to sell the theatre and tavern by lottery, but it was never fully subscribed so he refunded to the punters their stakes.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

=Reopened as Royal Victoria=

The building was reopened as a theatre, re-using the name Royal Victoria Theatre, under the management of John Lazar and George Coppin on 23 December 1850.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38437326 |title=The Theatre |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=24 December 1850 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102713/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38437326 |url-status=live }}

In 1861 it closed for refurbishment and substantial remodelling, and reopened in July with A.J. Solomon the new lessee and Robert MacGowan the stage manager{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50084507 |title=Victoria Theatre |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=15 July 1861 |access-date=30 August 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102700/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50084507 |url-status=live }} of what was Adelaide's only theatre until the opening of the Theatre Royal at 28 Hindley Street on 13 April 1868,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55153409 |title=Old-Time Theatres |newspaper=The Register |location=Adelaide |date=6 January 1921 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102700/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55153409 |url-status=live }} which spelled the demise of the "Victoria".

=Other uses=

It then became successively a dance hall designated the "Prado",{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39198678 |title=The Dancing Saloons and Night-Houses |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=28 June 1870 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102705/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39198678 |url-status=live }} the headquarters for the City Mission,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39264368 |title=The City Mission |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=15 August 1872 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102720/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39264368 |url-status=live }} Formby's Horse Bazaar (1877–c.1900){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56073135 |title=Early Experiences on South Australia |newspaper=The Register |location=Adelaide |date=27 March 1901 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102727/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/56073135 |url-status=live }} From 1908 until 1928, John Shannon occupied the premises for use as sales yards, livery, stables and forge.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57055963 |title=Gilles Arcade |newspaper=The Register |location=Adelaide |date=14 July 1928 |access-date=9 August 2012 |page=13 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102709/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57055963 |url-status=live }}

Between 1933 and 1973, it was occupied by McPherson's Store and Warehouse, Dalgety's Factory and Store, and McPherson's Showroom, in that order.

=20th–21st centuries=

File:Queen's Theatre, Adelaide, interior.JPG

In the 1980s the building was at risk of demolition, until parts of the original theatre were discovered, which sparked protests from the public (including from Barry Humphries) to conserve the building.

These features included dressing rooms and the orchestra pit. The South Australian Government, upon acquiring the property after negotiations in the 1990s, initiated efforts to conserve its surviving heritage architecture. {{As of|2019}} the shell of the original theatre still stands within the 1850s facade of the Royal Victoria Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.queenstheatre.com.au/about|website=Queens Theatre|title=About|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102713/https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Assistant:100italic,200italic,300italic,400italic,500italic,600italic,700italic,800italic,900italic,100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900|url-status=live}}

Excavation also revealed historically significant remains and numerous artefacts, including clay pipes, bottles, plates, buttons, props and costumes, shoes, candlesticks and stage decorations, the most significant treasure being a gold and ruby earring featuring dangling ivy leaves, which is now in a collection managed by the History Trust of South Australia. Most of the artefacts were transferred to the South Australian Museum in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2016/04/heritage-week|website=Government of South Australia. Department for Environment and Water|title=Unlocking the heritage of the Queen's Theatre|date=20 April 2016|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102721/https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2016/04/heritage-week|url-status=live}}

The Queen's Theatre was reopened as a performance venue at the 1996 Adelaide Festival of Arts, with a performance of The Magic Flute by Opera Australia. Following essential refurbishments, it was reopened for the launch of the 1998 Festival by Robyn Archer.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The theatre is still used as a performance space and function venue, but with stringent conditions intended to preserve as far as possible, the old character of the building.

The Theatre was managed by Arts South Australia from 2010 to 2018, before being taken over by GWB McFarlane Theatres.

{{anchor|new}}New Queen's Theatre (1846−c.1850)

A new theatre was built in 1846 for George Coppin on nearby land on Light Square belonging to Solomon and managed by John Lazar, designed architect Thomas Price.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158923388 |title=Our Colonial Review |newspaper=Adelaide Observer |volume=IV |issue=176 |location=South Australia |date=7 November 1846 |access-date=10 February 2018 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102705/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/158923388 |url-status=live }} Price, active 1845–50, had offices in Hindley Street The hall held 700 and had the distinction of prohibiting smoking in the boxes.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71606193 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=The South Australian |location=Adelaide |date=23 October 1846 |access-date=8 August 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102710/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71606193 |url-status=live }} In January 1850, the New Queen's Theatre was described by the South Australian Register as "a hotbed of demoralization" and that "no man can sit out a performance without being disgusted; no lady can enter the impure precincts without contamination".{{cite news | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38438554/3932001 | title=A Licentious Stage | newspaper=South Australian Register | date=16 January 1850 | access-date=2 December 2017 | archive-date=20 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102727/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38438554/3932001 | url-status=live }} This article was the subject of a successful libel case against editor John Stephens in March 1850.{{cite news | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18836185 | title=Law and Police Courts : Lazar vs Stephens | newspaper=Adelaide Observer | date=9 March 1850 | access-date=2 December 2017 | archive-date=20 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102727/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18836185 | url-status=live }}

The Adelaide Garrick Club{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38438426 |title=Local Intelligence |newspaper=South Australian Register |volume=XIV |issue=1068 |location=South Australia |date=14 March 1850 |access-date=19 February 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320102714/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38438426 |url-status=live }} may have been the last company to mount plays there, with productions of three Thomas Morton comedies, the last in September 1850.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207119113 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Adelaide Times |volume=II |issue=254 |location=South Australia |date=18 September 1850 |access-date=27 October 2023 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} There is no newspaper reference to this theatre after November 1850.