His Majesty’s Theater

Commissioned by two-time mayor of Perth, Thomas Molloy, “His Majesty’s Theater” was constructed between 1902 and 1904 and named in honor of recently crowned Edward VII. Because it was built during the high growth rate in Perth brought about by the gold rush era, the theater was designed in the Edwardian Baroque style. At the time, this was the largest theater in Australia (seating 2584 patrons), as well as the first reinforced concrete building in Perth. An additional notable feature was the sliding roof dome that allowed patrons to enjoy warm summer nights while watching performances. During its first seventy years, the theater primarily hosted traditional Shakespearean plays, operas, political rallies, boxing matches, and movie screenings. Since 2001, the theater has also played host to a museum of performing arts. Some of the famous performers who have played here were James Earl Jones, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, Geoffrey Rush, and Rex Harrison (amongst others).

Located on the corner of Hay and King streets in Perth’s central business district, “His Majesty’s Theater” was originally built with an adjacent hotel.

Entering the main lobby, one immediately gets a glimpse of the baraoque style of architecture that awaits you...

...for on the right side of the lobby is this elegant staircase

Each floor was so beautiful that we could only imagine what it was like to attend a nightly performance here in the early days of the twentieth century.

Our breath was taken away when we walked out the second floor balcony to get this view of the stage. Can you imagine this opulent dome sliding open to the night sky during a summertime performance?

A 1933 photograph of the crowds attending one of the performances.

The orchestra pit extended below the front part of the stage.

Since 2001, His Majesty’s Theater has also played host to a small performing arts museum.