Page 396 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

394  VIC T ORIA

rRegent Theatre
191 Collins St. Map 2 D3. Tel (03) 9299
9800. £ Flinders St. v Swanston &
Collins sts routes. 7 0
When the Regent Theatre’s
auditorium was destroyed by
fire in April 1945, the Lord Mayor
of Melbourne promised the
public that it would be rebuilt,
despite the scarcity of building
materials due to World War II,
such was the popularity and
local importance of the theatre.
Known as “Melbourne’s Assembly hall adjacent to Scots’ Church
Palace of Dreams”, it was first
constructed and opened for almost 30 years. The complex designed by Joseph Reed in a
in 1929. Its lavish interiors was restored in 1996 and is now “decorated Gothic” style, with
emulated both the glamour listed by the National Trust. bluestone used in the found-
of Hollywood and New York’s Today, the venue mostly hosts ations and local Barrabool stone
impressive Capitol Theater. musical theatre. Ticket-holders making up the superstructure.
The building had two main can admire the beautiful There is also an assembly hall
venues. The auditorium upstairs, interiors before seeing the which was completed in 1913.
for live stage and musical latest big-name show.
entertainment, was known as yNo. 120 Collins
the Regent Theatre. Downstairs,
the Plaza Theatre was originally tScots’ Church Street
a ballroom, but, following the 120 Collins St. Map 2 D3. £ Flinders
success of the “talkies”, it was 99 Russell St (cnr Collins St). Map 2 D3. St & Parliament. v Collins St routes.
converted into a cinema. Tel (03) 9650 9903. £ Flinders St & Open 7am–7pm Mon–Fri. 7
Parliament. v Swanston & Collins sts
Fortunately, the magnificent routes. Open 11am–2:30pm Mon–Fri.
decor of the Plaza Theatre was 5 1pm, Wed; 11am & 7pm, Sun. 7 Built in 1991, No. 120 Collins
not damaged in the fire of 1945 8 on request. Street was designed by Daryl
and the renovated auditorium Jackson and Hassell Architects
re-opened in 1947. Scots’ Church, completed in and houses the offices of many
The advent of television led to 1874, was intended at the time blue-chip corporations. In the
dwindling cinema audiences, to be “the most beautiful heart of Melbourne’s central
and the Regent Theatre closed building in Australia”. It was business district, the office

Grandiose foyer of the Regent Theatre, restored to its original glory
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp493–4 and pp526–9