Barclay Theatre

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Uploaded on: March 12, 2021

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Kings Theatre, Russell Street Melbourne Victoria - Facade up close.

The 1,376-seat King’s Theatre was built in 1908 as a live theatre, opening on 11th July 1908. Designed by architect William Pitt, seating was provided 2,200 in stalls, dress circle and upper circle. It was later taken over by Greater Union Theatres from 1942 and converted into a cinema. It played Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca” for 29 weeks! From April 1949 it reverted back to live theatre use. The last theatre presentation was the comedy play “See How They Run” by Philip King which opened on 20th April 1951.

On 24th May 1951 it re-opened as a cinema with Victor Mature & Hedy Lamarr in “Samson and Delilah”.

The King’s Theatre closed on 13th February 1958 to be re-modelled by Greater Union, when the auditorium was gutted to create a cinema with seating in stalls and circle levels. It re-opened as the 1,054-seat Barclay Theatre on 12th December 1958 with Charlton Heston in “The Ten Commandments”.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -