# Princess Theatre, Launceston

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Theatre in Launceston, Tasmania

This article is about the historic theatre in Launceston, Tasmania. For other uses, see [Princess Theatre](/source/Princess_Theatre_(disambiguation)).

Princess Theatre The Princess Theatre at night in 2013 Interactive map of Princess Theatre Address 57 Brisbane Street Launceston, Tasmania Australia Coordinates 41°26′10.06″S 147°8′28.14″E / 41.4361278°S 147.1411500°E / -41.4361278; 147.1411500 Owner Theatre North Capacity 1,770 (1911)[1] 944 (2022)[2] Construction Opened 30 July 1911; 114 years ago (1911-07-30)[1] Years active 1911–present Architect Marino Lucas (1911), Charles Neville Hollinshed (1939) Website Official site Tasmanian Heritage Register Place ID 3,887[3] Status Permanently Registered

The **Princess Theatre** is a historic theatre in [Launceston, Tasmania](/source/Launceston%2C_Tasmania), [Australia](/source/Australia).

## History

Located on the corner of Brisbane Street and Earl Street, the **Princess Theatre** was commissioned and designed by Greek–Australian businessman [Marino Lucas](/source/Marino_Lucas) at a cost of [£A](/source/Australian_pound)15,000 in 1911. The Princess was designed to be used exclusively as a "picture palace" and held capacity for 1,770 patrons (700 seats in the front stalls, 500 seats in the back stalls, 450 seats in the dress circle and 120 in the orchestra pit).[1] The stage was designed to accommodate first-class theatre productions, running the full width of the building, 21 by 18 metres (70 ft × 60 ft).[1][4] The orchestra pit held ten professional musicians, known as the "Princess Symphony Orchestra".[5] All the work, except the stamped metal ceilings, was completed by Messrs J & T Gunn in Launceston, including a feature [Tasmanian Blackwood](/source/Acacia_melanoxylon) staircase, lighting, carpets and its proscenium, described in *[The Examiner](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))* as "strikingly handsome, bronze, gold wine colour, as well as delicate shades of green and blue".[6]

The theatre was remodelled in 1939, resulting in its tubular [streamline moderne](/source/Streamline_moderne) appearance

In 1939 the National Theatres Corporation hired architect Charles Neville Hollinshed to remodel the Princess Theatre, at a cost of £A11,000.[7] Hollinshed had previously worked under [Thomas W. Lamb](/source/Thomas_W._Lamb) in New York, contributing to the designs of the [Capitol Theatre](/source/Capitol_Theatre_(New_York_City)) on Broadway and Albee Theatre in Brooklyn.[8] The facade of the theatre was reconstructed, and the entrances altered and modernised. The Blackwood staircase was replaced, the central auditorium dome was removed and capacity was reduced by 150 patrons.[9][10]

In 1953, the Princess exhibited its first [3D film](/source/3D_film#The_"golden_era"_(1952–1954)), *[House of Wax](/source/House_of_Wax_(1953_film))*, the first 3D feature with [stereophonic sound](/source/Stereophonic_sound).[11] At a conversion cost of £A10,000, [Cinemascope](/source/Cinemascope) was installed at the Princess in 1954.[12][13] The biblical epic *[The Robe](/source/The_Robe_(film))* was exhibited simultaneously at the Princess Theatre and [Prince of Wales Theatre, Hobart](/source/Prince_of_Wales_Theatre%2C_Hobart) in October 1954, marking the first dual city film premiere in Tasmania.[14]

Due to the rise of television ownership, the next 14 years saw the Princess, neighbouring [Majestic](/source/Majestic_Theatre%2C_Launceston) and Lyceum theatres operate with heavily reduced patronage. None of these venues would continue operations as cinemas into the 1970s. Newer cinematic experiences hindered the older venues; opening on 10 October 1957, the Village Drive-In at Mowbray Racecourse became the largest Drive-In in Tasmania with capacity for 877 cars. The Plaza Theatre on George Street was demolished in 1964.

Following the sale of the [National Theatre](/source/National_Theatre%2C_Launceston) in 1969, the [Launceston City Council](/source/Launceston_City_Council) purchased the nearby Princess Theatre for $71,000. It re-opened on 17 November 1970 as a live theatre venue with the [Royal Australian Ballet](/source/The_Australian_Ballet).[15] In attendance included [Tasmanian Governor General](/source/Governor_of_Tasmania) [Sir Paul Hasluck](/source/Paul_Hasluck) and British ballet dancer [Dame Peggy van Praagh](/source/Peggy_van_Praagh). The theatre has since hosted performances by [AC/DC](/source/AC%2FDC),[16] [Roy Orbison](/source/Roy_Orbison), [Slim Dusty](/source/Slim_Dusty), [Kiri Te Kanawa](/source/Kiri_Te_Kanawa), [Harry Secombe](/source/Harry_Secombe), [Little River Band](/source/Little_River_Band), [Bo Diddly](/source/Bo_Diddly) and [Leo Sayer](/source/Leo_Sayer).[17]

The Launceston City Council formed the current operator, Theatre North, in 1998.

## Earl Arts Centre

Located on Earl Street, the Earl Arts Centre opened in 1993 directly behind the Princess Theatre. A [black box theatre](/source/Black_box_theatre) accommodating 184 patrons, the theatre was designed for a variety of purposes, ranging from theatre and dance in an intimate setting, to film screenings and conference sessions.[18]

## Restoration plans

The Tasmanian Liberal Party announced a plan to invest $2.5 million to restore the Princess Theatre if the Federal Government was reelected in the 2022 elections.[19] In January 2025 the Federal Government committed $12.7m towards the $30m redevelopment project for the theatre. The Princess Theatre and Earl Arts Centre closed late 2025 with construction beginning early 2026. These theatres are planned to reopen early 2028. These restorations are planned to refresh the space, add accessibility, improve backstage facilities, enhance performance and production facilities, renew the Earl Arts Centre, upgrade the safety and compliance of these theatres and secure the future of a cultural landmark.[20]

## See also

- [List of theatres in Hobart](/source/List_of_theatres_in_Hobart)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PrincessOpening_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PrincessOpening_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-PrincessOpening_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-PrincessOpening_1-3) ["THE PRINCESS THEATRE"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50760761). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 3 June 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["PRINCESS THEATRE Venue Information"](https://theatrenorth.com.au/source-assets/images/Princess-Theatre-Venue-Info-Jan-22.pdf) (PDF). *theatrenorth.com.au*. 1 January 2022. p. 7. Retrieved 1 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Permanent and Provisional Registrations as at 22 Jan 2021"](https://heritage.tas.gov.au/Documents/THROnline_Jan2021.pdf) (PDF). Tasmanian Heritage Register. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["LOCAL AND GENERAL"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152711813). *[The Daily Telegraph (Launceston)](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Launceston))*. 24 June 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["THE NEW PRINCESS"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50490775). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 29 August 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["THE NEW THEATRE"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50490554). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 28 August 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1939Remodel_7-0)** ["NEW PRINCESS THEATRE"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52359285). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 26 October 1939. p. 11. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["LAST WORD IN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION - Australian Architect Abroad"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245448778). *[The Herald](/source/The_Herald_(Melbourne))*. No. 15, 438. Victoria, Australia. 10 November 1926. p. 14. Retrieved 19 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1939Remodel2_9-0)** ["THEATRE DOME TO GO"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52356063). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 7 October 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1939Remodel3_10-0)** ["REBUILDING THEATRE - NEW FEATURES PLANNED"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25783025). *[The Mercury (Hobart)](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. 7 October 1939. p. 10. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Wax_11-0)** ["3-D FILM FOR LAUNCESTON"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/265096748). *[Saturday Evening Express (Launceston)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 5 August 1953. p. 11. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Robe_12-0)** ["LATEST IN 3-D FOR PRINCESS THEATRE"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96383069). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 18 October 1954. p. 11. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Robe2_13-0)** ["Glamorous debut for new film technique"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96378290). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. 28 October 1954. p. 5. Retrieved 26 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["CINEMASCOPE IMPOSING MEDIUM"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27242627). *[The Mercury](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Vol. CLXXVI, no. 26, 159. Tasmania, Australia. 28 October 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 30 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LCC_15-0)** McDonald, Tamara (21 May 2016). ["The Princess Theatre's transformative history"](https://www.examiner.com.au/story/3917169/iconic-princess-a-city-gem/). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. Retrieved 26 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["AC/DC Setlist at Princess Theatre, Launceston, Australia"](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/acdc/1977/princess-theatre-launceston-australia-3dc8d17.html). *setlist.fm*. Retrieved 7 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ABC_17-0)** McIntyre, Damian (17 November 2020). ["'Freezing' performances and a 'ghost in the theatre': Launceston's Princess Theatre celebrates colourful history"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/princess-theatre-celebrates-50-years-launceston-history/12886618). *[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)*. Retrieved 26 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Earl_18-0)** [*EARL ARTS CENTRE - Venue Information*](https://theatrenorth.com.au/source-assets/images/EAC-Venue-Information-Jan-22.pdf) (PDF), Theatre North, p. 4, retrieved 26 June 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Liberals_19-0)** McGuire, Nikita (7 May 2022). ["The Princess Theatre's transformative history"](https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7728471/funding-commitment-for-launcestons-iconic-theatre/). *[The Examiner (Tasmania)](/source/The_Examiner_(Tasmania))*. Retrieved 26 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Princess Theatre & Earl Arts Centre Redevelopment"](https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/Business-and-Development/Major-Projects/Princess-Theatre-Earl-Arts-Centre-Redevelopment). *www.launceston.tas.gov.au*. Retrieved 7 February 2026.

v t e Launceston landmarks Buildings and structures Boag's Brewery Church of the Apostles Country Club Casino Duck Reach Power Station Launceston Gasworks Holyman House Hotel Grand Chancellor King's Bridge St Andrew's Kirk St John's Church Launceston Synagogue Trevallyn Dam Institutions Albert Hall Launceston General Hospital Launceston Town Hall Entertainment Inveresk & York Park Precinct Majestic Theatre National Theatre Princess Theatre Star Theatre Tasmania Zoo Galleries and museums Entally House Franklin House Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Sports Launceston Aquatic NTCA Ground Elphin Sports Centre The Silverdome Symmons Plains Raceway University of Tasmania Stadium Transport Launceston Airport Metro Victoria Bridge, Launceston Nature and parks Cataract Gorge City Park

v t e Cinematic and theatrical buildings in Tasmania Southern Tasmania Hobart Avalon Theatre Eastside Drive-In (closed) Elwick Drive-In (demolished) The Hedberg Kingborough Performing Arts Centre Moonah Arts Centre Odeon Theatre Prince of Wales Theatre (demolished) State Cinema Theatre Royal New Norfolk Plaza Theatre (closed) Northern Tasmania Launceston Lyceum Theatre (closed) Majestic Theatre (closed) National Theatre (closed) Plaza Theatre (closed) Princess Theatre Star Theatre Village Drive-In (closed) Burnie Burnie Arts & Function Centre Burnie Theatre (demolished) Star Theatre (closed) Vogue Theatre (closed) Devonport Paranaple Arts Centre Star Theatre (closed) Other Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre, Deloraine Lyric Theatre, Scotsdale (closed) West Coast Gaiety Theatre, Zeehan The Paragon Theatre, Queenstown

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Princess Theatre, Launceston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Theatre%2C_Launceston) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Theatre%2C_Launceston?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.