General Introduction

Proscenium Arch   Detail   Koh-I-Nor Chandelier   Koh-I-Nor Detail   Grand Assembly Detail   Grand Assembly

The State Theatre is without doubt a truly magnificent and unique building.

Its importance has been recognised by The National Trust of Australia that has classified it as "a building of great historical significance and high architectural quality, the preservation of which is regarded as essential to our heritage".

Alongside other Sydney icons, the State Theatre occupies a magical place in the hearts and minds of generations of its patrons. For over 70 years it has enchanted and captivated all those who have used and continue to use its surroundings and facilities.

Since opening in 1929, this 2000 seat venue has been owned and operated by the Greater Union Organisation, part of the AHL group of companies. The inspirational design of architect Henry White fuses eclectic elements of Gothic, Italian and Art deco design to produce an exquisite theatre, which can truly be described as a "Palace of Dreams".

The State Theatre palatial interiors feature artworks and fixtures of rare significance. The Dress Circle gallery houses artworks by significant Australian artists including William Dobell and Charles Wheeler whilst located in auditorium, the Koh-I-Nor cut crystal chandelier is the second largest on earth, weighing over four tonnes.

From the opening performance, the State Theatre has been an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of Sydney. Its unparalleled history is a reflection of a dynamic city's changing face, acting like a mirror to nearly a century of progress.

It was created as the "Palace of Dreams" and through fun, laughter, music, drama, romance and art it will continue to reflect the dreams and hopes of all those who grace its doors.

So why not take a "walk back through time" By clicking any of the "thumbnails" below you can take a look at the past and see why the State Theatre is so special.

1930's

Construction 1926   Construction 1927   Will Prior Chorus 1929   Will Prior 1929   Price Dunlavy 1929   Gladys Moncreif "Poppy Day Appeal" 1936

The State Theatre opened on the 7th of June 1929. The Theatre was the vision of Stuart Doyle, owner of Union Theatres and the esteemed architect Henry White. It was to be seen as "The Empire's Greatest Theatre" and was designed as a picture palace when such monuments to movies were at their grandest and most spectacular.

During its first week patrons were offered "entertainment of unparalleled magnificence".

The opening night's performance featured noted bandleader Will Prior who was described in the programme as a conductor capable of lifting "jazz to perfection in a sublime miscellany of melodious rhythm".

The first of countless motion pictures to be shown at the State Theatre was "The Patriot" accompanied by Price Dunlavy billed as a "debonair genius" playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.

Other attractions included Australia's leading soprano Rene Maxwell & the State Beauty Ballet billed as "a beauty bevy with amazing ability".

The stage was now set for countless performers & films to transport and entertain literally millions of future customers.

1940's

Penny Serenade 1941   Crowds 1946   Tap Roots 1948   State Newsreel 1946   Film Posters 1943   Foyer 1946

After providing an outlet and a venue for entertainment during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the next decade saw the spectre of World War return.

Leading up to and during the war, patrons were able to view the latest news via the theatre's regular screenings of the Movietone news-reels.

The State played its part by continuing to provide an escape for all those directly and indirectly involved in the conflict. They thrilled to golden celluloid stars such as Cary Grant , Ronald Colman and Joan Crawford.

Post 1945 , the State once again became the place where Sydneysiders came to play.

1950's

Doctor in The House 1955   Bend of The River 1952   From Here to Eternity 1953   Thunder on The Hill 1952   The Blue Lamp 1950   A Town Like Alice 1956

This decade saw the dawning of Australia's multicultural society with the first wave of post war immigration. Increasing affluence and economic stability fuelled the rapid expansion of new outer lying suburbs and helped to create the so-called "baby-boom" generation.

As Television was far from an everyday reality, people lived for live & film entertainment and the State was the place to be.

A new generation of Hollywood and local stars had arisen during this decade. Film attractions appearing in this decade included James Stewart in "Bend of the River" and Virginia McKenna staring in an adaptation of Neville Shute classic book "A town like Alice".

1960's

Once More With Feeling 1960   Heironymus Merkain 1969   They're a Weird Mob 1966   Taxi Couple 1960   To Kill a Mocking Bird 1963   State Newsreel 1962

The 1960's saw Australia in a period of radical change reflected in the growth of pop culture and increasing opposition to the Vietnam conflict, which mirrored social upheaval around the globe.

In times of change, people often look to entertainment as a release and again the State Theatre provided the outlet.

The changing times are reflected in the films on offer which in 1960 included Yul Bryner in "Once More with Feeling" whilst by 1969 the sexual farce "Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and find true Happines" was being shown.

1970's

Medium Cool 1970   Jaws 1975   High Plains Drifter 1973   The Godftaher 1972   Count Yorga 1970   The Seduction of Joe Tynan 1979

The growing of permissiveness in 1970's Australian society and the rejection of more "traditional" values is seen in the anti censorship demonstrations surrounding the film "Medium Cool".

In 1974, the State Theatre became the home of the prestigious Sydney Film Festival and has continued to play host to this event for two weeks in June, each subsequent year.

In terms of film entertainment, the advent of television during the late 1960's and early 1970's saw film-makers turn towards the Hollywood "blockbuster" as a means of returning lost patrons to the cinema. Such films included blockbusters like The Godfather and Jaws, but a low budget horror movie "Count Yorga Vampire" was also a huge hit to the extent that, as one newspaper reported, police had to be brought in to control the crowds in Market Street.

1980's

Bette Midler 1980   E.T. 1982   Napoleon (orchestra) 1981   Flash Gordon 1980   E.T. 1982   Mad Max Thunderdome 1985

The 1980s are often described as an unremarkable decade, best remembered for the Rubik Cube and the rise of arcade games.

It was however a time of great change for the State Theatre. After a magnificent restoration of its facilities, the State reopened in 1980 with Bette Midler starring in the concert film "Divine Madness". Two years earlier the "Divine Ms M" had in person, enjoyed a series of triumphant live concerts at the theatre. On the screen, ET- The Extraterrestrial, came to earth in 1982 and made a home at the State.

1990's

Shirley MacLane 1990   High Society 1994   Shirley Bassey 1993   Jesus Christ Superstar 1995   Stephane Grappelli 1996   Billy Connolly 1997

This decade saw the State Theatre return to its more traditional roots with numerous live acts & musical theatre performances gracing its doors.

Like many cities, Sydney has lost many historic live music venues as the property developers moved in and converted them to new commercial and residential uses. However the State Theatre continued to be amongst the leading venues, this position was reinforced with additional renovations undertaken in the early 1990s.

Performers in this period included Shirley Bassey, Whoopi Goldberg, Rudolph Nureyev, Harry Connick Jnr. Full theatrical runs were undertaken with stage musicals such as Evita, The Secret Garden and Anything Goes.

2000's

K.D. Lang 2000   Dame Edna 2000   The Trocks 2002   Joan Rivers 2000   Shaolin Monks 2002   Cabaret 2002

The State Theatre has long been at the forefront of Sydney's artistic and cultural life, the theatre is also responding to the changing needs and demands of its commercial patrons. Commencing in September 2002 the State Ballroom and State 2 levels will be undergoing a major transformation.

The total renovation of these areas utilising the latest technical advances in audio-visual technologies will result in cutting edge meeting and function space.

At the State Theatre we are totally committed to providing the highest level of service, style and entertainment to all theatre patrons across the broadest possible range of theatrical presentation.

From Dance to Drama, Music to Movies we look forward to another glorious 70 years of entertaining Sydney in style.