Her Maj has not only undergone numerous renovations in its illustrious history, but this famed Grote Street theatre has gone through several name changes as well. Originally built in 1913 as the New Tivoli Theatre, it was also called the Princess Theatre, the Prince of Wales Theatre, Tivoli Theatre and the Opera Theatre. Now, Her Majesty’s Theatre lives on, and after a whopping $66 million redevelopment, has never looked better.
Reopening its doors in June of 2020, the theatre now features a 1,467-seat auditorium that runs over three levels. Its heritage façade remains, as do some of the elegant Edwardian-era Art Nouveau fixings, like a pressed metal ceiling and detailed architraves. The theatre is probably best known for its ‘signature wall’ which was once in the basement but has since been reinstalled (brick by brick!) in a central position backstage. The wall is covered with signatures from visiting famous folk such as Rowan Atkinson, Alan Cumming, Julie Anthony and Lauren Bacall.
Her Majesty’s Theatre is part of the Adelaide Festival Centre alongside the Dunstan Theatre, the Festival Theatre, the Artspace, the Space Theatre and the Amphitheatre.