TMPrincessTheatre

=Princess Theatre= ====From its completion in the early 1880's, this landmark building has seen as much drama in life as it ever saw on celluloid: war, depression, fire and remodelling. Prior to its function as a theatre it was an equestrian showground. It was not extremely popular, and with time it was transformed into a theatre. The theatre has been influenced by two architectural styles: one of Corinthian influence of architecture and one of early Renaissance style.====

//History//
The Princess Theatre was an equestrian showground, at first//,// it was named Astley's Ampitheatre in honour of a similar building in London. The structure of the building was not fully completed before the public was admitted, thus there were numerous complaints about poor ventilation and lighting. A contemporary critic commented that the owners were foolish to advertise the building in glowing terms, when in reality some features were makeshift.

A fire occured in the late 1880's and the theatre was again remodelled, this time in early Renaissance style, with a colour scheme of blue, amber, fawn, grey and gold. Some of the performances in the Princess theatre included Gillest and Sullivan Operas, eg. 'Mikado'. Another famous perfomance was "Faust" by Gounod, where an opera singer Federici died after a performance. A legend originated since that event, about the ghost that inhabits the Princess theatre. Dame Nellie Melba, also known as Nellie Stewart, sang in 1888 in 'Faust'.

In 1987 David Mariner purchased the theatre. He renovated it and in 1989 the theatre re-opened with the musical Les Miserables. Following the phenomenal display of talent a new genius arrived at Princess theatre; 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Andrew Lloyd Webber. 'The Phantom' established a new record for the longest running show in Victoria.

An enviable list of modern shows includes: -Cats (1993) -West Side Story (1994) -Disney's Beauty and the Beast -Chess -The Boy from Oz -The Importance of being Earnest -The Sound of Music (2000) -The Witches of Eastwick(2002) -Mamma Mia (2002) -The Producers (2004) -Swan Lake on Ice (2006 -Dirty Dancing (2006) -Kiss me, Kate (2006) -The Phantom of the Opera (2007) -Guys and Dolls (2008) -Jersey Boys (2009) -Hairspray (2010)

//**Architecture**//
A variety of architectural styles were adopted in the design of the Princess theatre. Domed mansard roofs, crowned with elaborate cast iron crestings. Ravishing cast iron fillings fixed on the windows. A dazzling marble staircase running along from the second floor to the lobby. The facade of the theatre is ballustrated with urns, contains a frieze of festoons, giant Corinthian pilasters and attached columns.

A central feature of the facade is the pediment. A British coat of arms, a figure of Fame and lions are included in the pediment. All of these features of architecture are of Greek origin. In 1901 stained glass was included in facade featured on the balconies.

Avant-garde features of architecture were used: such as roll back roof and all the accompanying technical requirements. The open roof was one of the first in Victoria Applications of such a ventilation design.

Henry White was the famous architect who in 1921 designed the Princess theatre's auditorium and foyer. The design is a delicate 'Adam' style (Three Adam brothers from Scotland)- a neoclassical architectural style. The Adam style included curved domes and walls decorated with elaborate plaster work and striking mixed colour schemes eg. peacock blue, fawn and bright pink. Roman decorative motifs were used in the Adam Style; so were flat, grotesque panels, painted ornamental festoons, swags and ribbons.

Fedirici: The Phantom of the Opera
In 1888, an opera singer, Federici, died instantly after an outstanding performance, where he was playing the devil in Gounod's 'Faust'. As part of the final scene, Federici had to descend under the stage on a platform, as if journeying into hell. Unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack and died instantly. At the end of the show, the actors gathered around the stage for the final curtain call. After the curtain call was over, the cast and crew returned backstage only to be informed that Federici had passed away. However, a shocked troupe of actors protested that he had just taken his final bows with them. The rumor spread that Federici's ghost had taken the bows and was haunting the theatre. To this day, sightings of Federici are common occurrences and a seat is still left for him at every performance. If actors see Federici prior to their show debuting the word is that the show will be an immense success. However, if Federici is nowhere to be seen, the show will, according to tradition, meet with disaster.

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