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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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Melbourne's first substantial theatre building opened in April 1845 at the corner of Queen and Little Bourke streets and, like many 19th-century theatres, shared the site with a hotel - the St John Tavern. As was usual for the period, a varied program of two plays was offered, including The bear hunters or The fatal ravine and Black-eyed Susan.
Soon after, George Coppin held his first Melbourne season at the Queen's. Built by hotel-keeper and Melbourne city councillor John Thomas Smith (later to be mayor seven times), the brick and stone building measured 14 m by 23 m, with a capacity of 1200 people. By the mid-1850s the Queen's fell into theatrical disuse, becoming among other things a coach-builder's premises and a furniture warehouse. It was demolished in 1922. Apartments now occupy the site.