Queens Theatre
Queens Theatre opened on Jan. 11 1841. Built by Emanuel Solomon it was the first purpose built theatre in Adelaide. Due to the economic climate the theatre had itís last performance on 28 November 1842.
On the same site: When the theatre closed Solomon leased the theatre to the supreme Court from 1843 - 1850. George Coppin renovated the Shakespeare Tavern (which was next door to the theatre) and opened this as his New Queen's Theatre from 1846 - 1849.
In 1850 the New Queens Theatre closed and the old Queen's Theatre was renovated, a new facade added and the name changed to the Royal Victoria Theatre which lasted until 1867.
Now under the umbrella of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, the theatre was used during the 1998 Adelaide Festival Of Arts by the State Theatre Company and Playbox Theatre for their performance of Natural Life in March '98.
The theatre is available for use, so if you are interested in using it contact State Heritage on (08) 8204 9246.
For further information on the theatre contact the Performing Arts Collection on (08) 8216 8767 or (08) 8216 8769 or email, The Curator, Jo Peoples (peoples@afct.org.au)
The Queens Theatre site is a place of national cultural significance; its colourful career as a theatre, auction rooms, law courts, tavern, horse bazaar, car garage and car parking station over a 150 year period provides a fascinating insight to the historical development of Adelaide in the 19th century. (Conservation study 1990).