Performing Arts History - Theatre
  Theatre Royal 1900

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1900: November, Townsville Theatre Royal

Opened by Lord Lamington (Governor of Queensland) November 1900
Part of the Municipal Building in Flinders Street, which also housed the
Town Hall, several commercial premises and The Central Hotel (Cnr Flinders/Stokes Sts). The Licensee of the Hotel was also required to manage Theatre Bookings, Staffing, etc. One Licensee was Thomas Coyle who later became a partner in Birch, Carroll & Coyle of cinema fame.
Ref. Also:- P11, 135 & 136  “Pattern of Pubs” by B. Gibson-Wilde

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Municipal buildings hub of city

This photograph of the Municipal Buildings was taken in 1914. The site now is the home of Northtown and the Hotel Townsville/Holiday Inn
On the frieze under the pediments are clearly marked Town Hall, Arcade and Theatre. Aside from the Townsville City Council's administration and aldermanic chambers, the building housed the Theatre Royal, several commercial premises and the Central Hotel
The later was on the corner of Flinders and Stokes Streets — today overlooking the rotunda on the Mall
Commercial ventures as tenants included ACB (clothing suppliers), LG Snowdon (dentist), Andersen's Jewellers, the Young Women's Christian Association, Brownhill and Kirk, Atlas Assurance Co, Elsie Lembton's (photographer), FS Dispensary and the Austral Cafe.

(Photograph from the W. Laurie Collection, by courtesy of the department of history and politics at James Cook University of North Queensland.)
TB 04/03/1991  History 1914

Interior view 1905

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Looking Back
The Photo Caption Reads___

"IN FASHION.......it was a grand occasion for Townsville on November 4, 1929 when Gladys Moncrieff returned to the city where she had begun her theatrical career as a schoolgirl, appearing in amateur plays. After arriving from the south on a special train with a decorated engine, Miss Moncrieff was welcomed by the mayor, town clerk. and a crowd of friends. She is pictured after her arrival seated in the passenger side of the vehicle with some of her touring party. In the Townsville Daily Bulletin special mention was made that several of the visiting girls were sporting the latest fashion fad - short socks and powdered legs. The musical comedy, Rio Rita, in which Miss Moncrieff starred, was staged at the Theatre Royal."

Photo from the Sladden Family Albums, JCU School of  Humanities.

From the TB 31-5-99