More Info →His Majesty's Theatre

His Majesty's Theatre opened on 6 February 1911. Charles Blackbourn, building contractor, is in the black suit on the left, standing on the scaffold. Blackbourn's building firm collapsed during the depression, after which he drove a taxi while his brother, Albert Blackbourn (who had worked with him), started out on his own account. It was then used as a skating rink, auction rooms and for storage until returning to theatre use, at first as the Paramount, then the De Luxe (1924-30). It continued use as the De Luxe Skating Rink, the De Luxe Dance Hall, the Coconut Grove Dance Hall (1936-42), ANA Dance Hall, George Street Dance Hall and eventually the Ballroom Astoria from approximately 1948-84. The ballroom was demolished in 1984 but the façade remains. It now the frontage for retail shops. (2004).