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  1. The Dictionary of Sydney
  2. McPherson, Ailsa

McPherson, Ailsa

Author

Ailsa McPherson was an independent scholar

Barnett Levey's Theatre Royal as Author
Clint, Alfred as Author
Criterion Theatre as Author
Fitton, Doris as Author
Goatcher, Philip W as Author
Harry Rickards's Tivoli as Author
Her Majesty's Theatre as Author
Independent Theatre as Author
Marian Street Theatre, Community Theatre and Northside Theatre as Author
National Amphitheatre as Author
New Tivoli Theatre as Author
Old Tote Theatre as Author
Palace Theatre as Author
Prince of Wales Theatre as Author
Q Theatre as Author
Rickards, Harry as Author
Rignold, George as Author
Royal Standard Theatre as Author
Theatre as Author
Theatre Royal as Author
Turret Theatre as Author

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Barnett Levey's Theatre Royal

The first commercial theatre in Sydney had a shaky start, and its owner Barnett Levey had problems with licensing, financing and bankruptcy. Despite this, it saw the first professional production of Shakespeare in Australia and formed part of the foundation of Sydney's ongoing theatrical culture.

Clint, Alfred

English-born scene painter Alfred Clint both came from and sired an artistic family. His elaborate painted backdrops were a highlight of late nineteenth-century Sydney theatre.

Criterion Theatre

Opened in 1886, the Criterion Theatre was a Victorian baroque theatre seating about 1000 people. Many of Sydney's famous actors and visiting companies played there, until it was demolished in 1936 for the widening of Park Street.

Fitton, Doris

A pioneer of twentieth-century theatre in Sydney, Doris Fitton created the Independent Theatre and produced both classic and new Australian plays for more than four decades.

Goatcher, Philip W

At one time the highest paid theatrical designer in the world, Phil W Goatcher created designs for JC Williamson Ltd that were masterpieces of illusion, painted on canvas drops.

Harry Rickards's Tivoli

Whether it was juggling, comedy or a gorgeous chorus line, the Tivoli was for almost three decades the home of Harry Rickards's vaudeville entertainment in Sydney.

Her Majesty's Theatre

There have been three Her Majesty's Theatres in Sydney, spanning nearly a century of the city's theatrical history.

Independent Theatre

From tram shed to picture hall to boxing venue to drama theatre, The Independent has been part of Sydney's theatre scene since 1911.

Marian Street Theatre, Community Theatre and Northside Theatre

A community theatre in a community hall, Marian Street Theatre has managed to provide a varied theatrical offering in a suburban setting over many decades.

National Amphitheatre

Converted from boxing auditorium to popular vaudeville theatre, the 'Nash' reinvented itself again in the 1930s as a cinema when economic depression and the popularity of film forced further adaptation.

New Tivoli Theatre

The last theatre built in Sydney before World War I, called the Adelphi until 1916 and Grand Opera House until 1932, the 'Tiv' as it became known was a venue for melodrama, vaudeville, pantomime and more, until the 1960s.

Old Tote Theatre

Founded as a complement to the National Institute of Dramatic Art, the Old Tote Theatre company ushered in the era of modern, state-supported theatre in Sydney.

Palace Theatre

Built as part of the Tattersall's hotel complex, the Palace Theatre was an opulent, baroque-style theatre, with interior design by Phil Goatcher. It became known as a 'hard luck house' where shows did not prosper, and was later used as a cinema, and mini-golf course. It closed in 1969.

Prince of Wales Theatre

Grand theatre on Castlereagh Street, which was burnt down and rebuilt before again burning down in 1872.

Q Theatre

The Q Theatre began in 1963, in the theatrette of the AMP Building at Circular Quay. Its philosophy of bringing theatre to the people, with adventurous productions and training, was inspired by English theatrical traditions. The Q found a permanent home in Penrith in 1975 and has introduced generations of Sydney and western suburbs audiences to challenging international and local theatre, while supporting and training playwrights, directors and actors.

Rickards, Harry

A printer's son from London, Harry Rickards became Sydney's best known vaudeville entrepreneur, and founder of the the Tivoli circuit.

Rignold, George

Known for his heroic roles and spectacular productions, actor-manager George Rignold was nicknamed 'Gorgeous George' by The Bulletin.

Royal Standard Theatre

Considered one of Sydney's 'lesser theatres', the Royal Standard was a popular venue for vaudeville and melodrama before renovation and reinvention, briefly, as a playhouse.

Theatre

European theatre in Sydney began before the first Fleet made landfall, with a convict play on board the Scarborough. While theatre was always popular, a commercial theatre scene did not emerge until the 1830s, and theatrical fortunes rose and fell with the city's prosperity.

Theatre Royal

Built on the site of the Prince of Wales Theatre, which had been destroyed by fire in 1872, the Theatre Royal opened in 1875 and was central to Sydney's theatrical world for nearly a century.

Turret Theatre

One of several 'little theatres' formed as a reaction to the dominance of commercial mainstream interests, the Turret espoused cultural interests in the current fashion for literary theatre during its short life on the lower North Shore.