The Richness of Melbourne Theatre Quiz

Answer: Musicals

The Regent Theatre is known for its musical productions; since the mid-1970s, most of the major Australian and overseas musicals have been performed there. This historically-listed building is in the midst of the "Paris" end of Collins Street. Built in 1929, the theatre enjoyed a good early life, but following a fire in the 1940s, and reports of pending closure right up to the 1960s, the theatre finally closed in 1970. Reports of plans to demolish the theatre and turn it into a carpark finally got people into action to save it.

The theatre finally re-opened in 1996.

Answer: Princess Theatre

The site of the Princess Theatre started off in the nineteenth century gold rush era with an amphitheatre. The Princess Theatre opened in the 1920s with numerous changes of ownership, and with the different owners the type of performances held at the theatre also changed.

In 1986 the theatre gained a new owner who restored it to its 1920s style and elegance. When the theatre re-opened in 1989 its coup of gaining "Les Miserables", followed by "The Phantom of the Opera", put it back on the map.

Answer: Her Majesty's Theatre

Anna Pavlova had two Australian tours, one in 1926, the other in 1929. Both Melbourne performances were done at Her Majesty's Theatre. Her Majesty's Theatre was another building and entertainment centre that was built as a result of the gold rush in the nineteenth century.

Answer: Seven Little Australians

"Seven Little Australians", based on the novel of Ethel Turner, debuted in Melbourne at the Comedy Theatre in Exhibition Street in 1988. The story revolves around seven children, their unsympathetic father and their discipline wielding step-mother.

Answer: True

The Playbox Theatre Company's mission is to support Australian playwrights, producing their plays and promoting their performances. They were originally located in Exhibition Street until the theatre was destroyed by fire in the 1980s. The company relocated to The Malthouse Theatre in the 1990s. As the name suggests, prior to being a theatre The Malthouse was a brewery.

Answer: Palais Theatre

The Palais Theatre started life as a cinema with the largest audience capacity of all theatres in Australia. The design of the theatre is based on Moorish architecture, and the building, with its two domed towers, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry. The inspiration of the interior is Art Deco. Within St. Kilda there are a number of buildings of similar ilk, including Luna Park, the Pavilion and the Baths.

Answer: True

Located in Flinders Lane, Melbourne (an area traditionally known for the rag trade) is fortyfivedownstairs theatre. As the name suggests, it is located at 45 Flinders Lane in the basement. This not-for-profit organisation is there to assist up and coming playwrights to stage their performances.

It is a very supportive group of people who both encourage artists artistically and provide an affordable venue.

Answer: The Comedy Festival

The Comedy Festival consists of four weeks of different comedy theatre held at various venues across Melbourne. The main venue is the Melbourne Town Hall, but various theatres across Melbourne are involved.

Improvisation theatre is created by the artist as it is performed. There is no script or direction. Actors / comedians build up a story and it unfolds as they tell the story. The theatre can range in scope from a monologue to various artists playing off one another one stage.

Answer: Melbourne Theatre Company

Melbourne University started the Union Theatre Repertory Company which became the Melbourne Theatre Company in the early 1950s. Barry Humphries started off with pranks for which the sole purpose was to shock people. While he was with the Melbourne Theatre Company the beginnings of Edna Everage was born, as the "Olympic Hostess" in anticipation of Melbourne's hosting of the Olympic Games. And the rest is history.

Answer: Roy Grounds

The Arts Centre Melbourne consists of the State Theatre, Hamer Hall, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio and Art Galleries. The centre showcases theatre including opera, ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.