History & Archives

History

There have been several theatres named "Palais" in St Kilda, the first of which opened in 1914. One of them was on the same site. At the end of World War I the Palais de Danse site became Palais Pictures. In 1919, a steel-framed, arched truss structure was built over the old dance-hall and the Palais de Danse was relocated next door, to the north (this building was also later destroyed by fire).

In 1922, Walter Burley Griffin began designing a remodelled Palais Pictures. Construction of Griffin's plans began in 1925, but a spectacular fire engulfed the stage in February 1926, just before completion bringing a halt to work. When the Griffin's moved on to Sydney, the developers commissioned a new architect, Henry E. White to build a larger, more grand theatre.

When built it was one of the largest theaters in the southern hemisphere.

It was (with the Regent, South Yarra and the Victory (National), St Kilda the first suburban cinema to screen talkies on 3 July 1929, five months after their first Australian exhibition at the Athenaeum. Until the fifties, it was the place to go to the movies. You saw two full-length films, preceded by Harry Jacobs and his Band with 30 minutes of singers, music, dancers, or other variety performers.

In 1962 there were the first musicals at the Palais Theatre, revivals from the 1920s: the Desert Song, New Moon and the Student Prince. The Royal Ballet appeared with Margot Fonteyn. In sixties, the Palais was seldom dark.

In the seventies, Edgely spectaculars became more so: the Bolshoi, the Kirov, ‘Stars of World Ballet’ and the Australian Ballet, regularly. There were more musicals, with two long seasons of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1978, the Australian Opera appeared there, with a lavish Nabucco with Joan Sutherland. It was only at the Palais Theatre that audiences could be large enough to pay for such productions, and stars such as the Rolling Stones and Lou Reed. It was frequently the venue of the Melbourne International Film Festival.

The building is considered one of the finest examples of Art deco architecture in Australia and is on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The theatre is currently used for local and international live performers. After restoration, the Palais Theatre will again look forward to hosting theatrical productions as well as the best local and international live performers.

References: Wikipedia, http://www.skhs.org.au/SKHSbuildings/3.htm

St Kilda Triangle Development

On 25 May 2007 the State Government of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip announced the BBC consortium had won the tender to redevelop the St Kilda Triangle site and manage the Palais Theatre.

The Palais Theatre will close for minor repairs from June to August 2008 , it will then reopen in September and operate until March 2009 when it will close for an extensive 20 month $20 million restoration which will enhance its facilities whilst maintaining its heritage values.

Neil Croker, CEO Palais Theatre Management Pty Ltd

Neil Croker has tour directed, co-promoted and executive produced events by some of the biggest artists in the world including AC/DC, Dire Straits, Michael Jackson (NZ), Riverdance and Steel City, managed major events including the Barcelona Olympic Games' merchandising and consulted to a wide range of prestigious organisations including the Australian Film Institute, Victorian Arts Centre Trust, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and Department for Victorian Communities.

Neil's major skills include management of creative relationships with artists, detailed understanding of tour promoting, ticketing, planning and management, access to a strong global network of industry organisations and personnel, and sound business management and organisational skills.

In recent years, Neil has been Commercial Consultant for the 2004 World Track Cycling Championships, acted as Associate Producer of La Fura's XXX, Executive Produced Shoosh, the Christmas Spectacular Santa's Kingdom, the equine arena show Cavalcade - Reins of Fire and the Herald Sun Cycling Tour. Neil Tour Directed John Farnham and Tom Jones Together in Concert and Bette Midler's first Australian tour in 26 years, Kiss My Brass and also consulted to the Australian Pavillion at the World Expo in Aichi Japan, Bowls Australia and Athletics Australia including the 2007 World Athletics Tour.

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If you have any photos, programmes, documents or stories relating to the Palais Theatre we would love to hear from you. Contact Us. Sinead O'Connor