Upgrades planned for Queen’s Theatre in Adelaide, the oldest playhouse on mainland Australia

Restoration work and internal upgrades are planned to make Australia’s oldest mainland playhouse, the Queen’s Theatre in Adelaide, more user-friendly for visiting productions.

Cabaret performer Anya Anastasia outside the Queens Theatre for its transformation into Fringe venue The Lab in 2018. Picture: Calum Robertson

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Draft architects’ plans for upgrades to the Queen’s Theatre, including potential rigging structures and airconditioning, are expected to be delivered to the Department of Premier and Cabinet this month.

Initial upgrades would most likely involve restoration of the 180-year-old venue’s facade, wiring and plumbing, said Torben Brookman of GWB McFarlane Theatres, which operates the venue for Arts SA.

While show presenters loved the Queen’s versatility as a “blank canvas”, Mr Brookman said it required “key pieces of infrastructure” to make it more user-friendly.

“It is challenging to work in for any visiting company because everything has to be brought in, every single time,” Mr Brookman said.

Joan Reading, whose great grandfather John Musgrave acted at the Queen's Theatre more than 150 years ago, outside the Queen's Theatre in 2018. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Brookman said it was important to find a balance between preservation and function.

“One of those is access to rigging points that have a suitable load-bearing capacity.”

Blackout coverings were also needed for skylights and windows, as were retractable seating and heating/cooling.

Heritage listing of the Playhouse Lane theatre, the oldest on mainland Australia, has previously prevented any alterations to its structure or installation of new fittings and fixtures.

Mr Brookman hoped that initial work could be carried out before the Festival and Fringe in February-March, with more substantial improvements to follow later next year.