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Nighttime streetscape view of the Princess Theatre lit up by lights. The background is the city skyscrapers at night
A detailed view of the Forum building with its clock tower lit by sunshine
A streetscape view of the front facade of the Regent theatre with its grand canopy in the foreground
A streetscape view of the Athenaeum Theatre
A streetscape view of the Comedy Theatre with cars in the foreground.

The Tales of Melbourne Theatres

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Presented by: Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV)

Description

Come for a stroll around Melbourne’s CBD visiting some of its unique theatres and performing arts venues. Dan Blake and Christophe Loustau of Conservation Studio will take visitors on a guided walk visiting seven of Melbourne’s most iconic theatres. They will discuss the historical significance of each building, detailing the importance they play in Melbourne’s history and the many transformations they have undergone over the decades.

The tour will examine their unique architectural styles and features and highlight many of the challenges we face in preserving these places for the decades to come.

What's On

The walking tour will commence at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre (French Second Empire style), followed by visits to The Forum (Atmospheric style), The Regent (combination of Spanish Gothic and French Renaissance), The Athenaeum (Renaissance Revival), The Capital Theatre (Chicago Gothic style), Her Majesty’s Theatre (European Moderne) and will conclude at The Comedy Theatre (Spanish Renaissance style).

The walk will be a gentle stroll along Melbourne’s streets and is approximately 2.5 kilometres in length. Stopping in front of each venue, our speaker will present a detailed account of the history and the significance of each building, and some interesting facts and anecdotal stories about them. Participants will have the unique opportunity to tour inside some of the buildings and ask questions or provide their own relevant stories.

In Collaboration With:

  • Conservation Studio

    Established in 2019, Conservation Studio is an award-winning architectural and conservation practice. Our team comprises highly skilled individuals that provide a range of heritage planning, historical research, and conservation experience. Our in-depth understanding of conservation and built heritage is paramount to the delivery of complex projects founded in the principles of The Burra Charter.

Images: (1) Princess Theatre Melbourne. (2) Forum Melbourne. (3) Regent Theatre Melbourne. (4) Athenaeum Theatre Melbourne. (5) Comedy Theatre Melbourne. All photos: courtesy of ARBV

Important Details

Tour/event summary information

Saturday 26 July
Tours run 11am + 1pm
Running for 90 minutes in groups of 25 people

Bookings

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 2 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 5 July

Book

Meeting Point

Meet in front of the Princess Theatre. This tour will conclude at Melbourne Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

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