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McKenzie Street, the entrances being in View Street, the ian Nightingale), Madam Ristori, Nellie Melba, J C
stage being at the McKenzie Street end. (5) Williamson ru1d wife Maggie Moore. (1)
The proprietors of the theatre were William Heffernan and
John Crowley. (1) Stage lighting at the time of opening, like the auditorium
was by gas until the Electric Supply Company of Victoria
In a community which had only been in existence for twenty Limited made DC power available in 1898. The State
years the opening of the theatre was a momentous occa- Electricity Commission took over in 1931 and facilities
sion. The opening address was given by Miss Clara were updated for AC supply.
Thompson, a leading player in the cast of "Grand Duch-
ess Gerolstein", the opening attraction. The address was Remarkable, up to the time of demolition, the earlier gas
written by R. T. Easterby and was given a tumultuous re- and DC equipment remained in place alongside that for
ception. (I) alternating current. (8)
Not far up the hill on the opposite side of
View Street the same architect designed the
largest Masonic centre outside Melbourne
which opened only two months after the
theatre. Upstairs was a concert hall/ballroom
that was variously !mown as the Masonic,
New Britannia and Capital Theatre and was
the venue for the ftrst demonstrations of cin
ematography in the region being serviced by
travelling picture show men. (3)

In 1910 the Royal Princess became the first
permanent picture house in Bendigo. ( I)

The theatre continued to be used for live
shews and in the silent era Live acts supported
the film programs. The orchestra was re-
tained for both entertainment formats.

Further cinema competition was soon forth-
coming with the start of building of the Lyric
Theatre, a purpose designed venue the foll-
Princess At Time Of Opening- 1874 owing year (1911). (9)
Australian Sketcher 1874

Seating in the three levels of the theatre held the follow- Both encountered competition from the Tivoli Gardens
ing audience: Gallery 850, Dress Circle 250, Stalls 200, open air show whose proprietor made much of the danger
Pit 650. A further 50 were accommodated in the six stage associated with nitrate film in enclosed spaces. (1)
boxes. The size of the auditorium was 80 ft wide by 60 ft
deep; the stage was also 80ft wide with a proscenium open- By 1936 the theatre was unable to compete with the re-
ing of 30 ft b y 18 ft high with a depth of 56 ft. (6) cently built Plaza (opened December 1934) due to its dated
design for cinema use, especially the troublesome posts
The opening performance was greeted with enthusiasm supporting the dress circle and gallery.
by the audience, but the critics on the staff of the local
paper were not impressed. (7) The old theatre closed on 3 October 1936 with the fthns
"Hot Trip" and "Air Hawkes". Cowper, Murphy and
On entering the auditorium the eye catching features were Appleford were retained to redesign the auditorium and
the tasteful proscenium arch with stylish act drop and as- foyers into the then current art-deco style.
sociated drapery and the large dome housing the "Austral
Lustre Light", an 119 lamp gasolier designed locally by T. During the two months that rebuilding was underway, film
J. Connelly. programs were transferred to the Capital. (10)

It measured 10 ft in diameter and its enameled glass cas- The New Royal Princess opened on 4 December 1936
ing contained an abundance of multi coloured glass and screening "Front Page Woman".
an immense number of glass pendants. (1)
Live shows were not forgotten with several J C Williamson
Among the notable artists who performed at the theatre in plays being performed as well as local companies doing
its halcyon days were Mdlle lime de Mursha (the Hungar- all manner of performance including ballet.

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