Palais Theatre

Think that there was only ever a single operating bio-box, however at one stage it was moved to another location, and the space replaced with lighting equipment – GL

The Palais Theatre was seen briefly on the tv series Tony Robinson’s Time Walks(series 1, episode 8 – St Kilda). I think there a cinema/theatre close by the Palais Theatre, seen in the same episode?

I think the Palais Theatre is not far from Luna Park(an amusement park, only one of the two remaing Luna Park’s in Australia, the other is in Sydney) opened in 1912(?). I the Australian tv show Rockwiz may filmed one or two specials inside the Palais Theatre?

The building is open & doing great business with live acts under the new management.

I have recently heard that due to financial hardship from the consortiums funding this ‘Triangle’ project and due to the economic climate, that the project is no longer going ahead – and so too have the $20million dollar plans to restore the theatre.

Well Carolyn Harper has been evicted by the local Council who own the Palais. She fought a long legal battle but a new manager is now in place. The Council has also evicted the operators of the very successful Palace NightClub next door which was promptly burnt to the ground by arsonists – luckily without effecting the Palais Theatre as they were separated by a small laneway. The Palace site has now been cleared (interestingly the Palace itself replaced the 1920s Palais de Danse which was also lost to fire.
The “Triangle” site which includes the Palais Theatre, the Palace site and a car park is now subject to a major development with a $20,000,000 (Australian dollars) refurbishment and restoration of the Palais. Five new small boutique cinemas are being added to the rear of the Palais (behind the existing stage) with a new access point to the Dress Circle so that can be used separately as a medium sized theatre. The rest of the development includes 181 shops, 3 nightclubs, several bars, a hotel and a health centrew, as well as new Art Gallery.
The new Palais Manager has announced that he will continue to encourage international musical acts while opening the venue to more community groups which might create issues for the nearby National Theatre (c 1921)which operates as a community arts centre and performing arts School.

The Palais is in fact on Crown land as is the Palace nightclub and Luna Park on either side. The current management’s lease is due to expire and the whole site (the triangle project) has been put to tender by the local council. The Palais itself is protected and whoever gets to redevelop the site apparently has to “restore” the Palais (its in the tender contract).
However, rumour has it that the current management is taking the view that possession is 9/10 of the law and refusing to budge. Should be interesting to see what happens next.

The owner of the Palais (carolyn harper) has always turned her nose up at anyone wanting to take a look at the beautiful and wonderful architecture and spanish moroccoan style of the Palais theatre. I remember as a 15 year old in 1986 doing a project on the Palais and went in and asked if I could take photos of the auditorium and the lobby and was propmtly told to buggar off. Ms Harper had no problems taking a journlist and camera thru the entire building when she bought it from the Hyams family in 1985 ‘Preening the Palais’ I recall was the name of the article and whilst she appeared to have grand plans for it then, they certinily haven’t come about. I would hold my head in shame if I was her, I have watched with great dismay the building literally crumble on the outside and parts of the inside when I have been in there as a paying customer. If she cant afford to refurbish it or at least pump some capital into it, sell it to someone (i.e. someone like a David Marriner) who would. Im sure if she had opened it up for tours at $5 a pop it would have more than paid for a major refurb by now….

Dear Paulb ,

Not making excuses for the prickly pears down at The Palais but , in fairness , they’ve had major problems with vandalism over the years . And there is another consideration as well .

Unfortunately , it isn’t a simple matter of just letting someone in for “ A look around” anymore . For starters , there’s the very real problem of public liability . The Palais is a vast and rapidly decaying 1920s building which has been badly maintained over the
years . I think you might find that there could , possibly be some
sort of insurance clause which stipulates that the venue’s insurance
is only valid during show times when the theatre is fully staffed
and functioning . If they allow a member of the public to root
around , unescorted when the the place is officially closed you
might be entitled to sue them for their gold teeth if you trip over
a piece of upturned carpet and fall down a flight of marble stairs .

As I said , I’m not making excuses for them and they certainly should have given you a polite and reasonable explanation as to why you can’t have a wander around . But , I fear that they may have
valid concerns which they have to bear in mind .

Your idea , however , about arranging an organized tour of the place would be well worth putting to them .