The Empire Theatre | |
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![]() Empire Theatre facade | |
Location | 56 & 56A Neil Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
Coordinates | 27°33′47″S 151°57′21″E / 27.5631°S 151.9558°E |
Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
Built | 1911–1990s |
Architect | Hall & Phillips |
Architectural style(s) | Art Deco |
Owner | Toowoomba Regional Council |
Official name | Empire Theatre (former), Empire Theatre |
Type | state heritage (built) |
Designated | 31 May 1994 |
Reference no. | 600978 |
Significant period | 1911, 1933, 1973–74, c. 1997 (fabric) 1911–1971 (social) |
Significant components | dress circle, foyer – dress circle, proscenium arch, foyer – entrance, stage/sound shell, auditorium |
Builders | Kell & Rigby |
Empire Theatre, Toowoomba | |
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Other information | |
Seating capacity | 1,561[1] |
The Empire Theatre is a heritage-listed theatre at 56 & 56A Neil Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 May 1994.[2]
The design of the building is art deco in style, reminiscent of the "glory days" of Hollywood with palm trees framing the exterior and two plinth-mounted fish tanks in the metallic gold and bronze of the entry foyer. One of the Empire Theatre's most striking features is the grand proscenium arch.
The stage is over 13 metres (43 ft) wide and 12 metres (39 ft) deep with approximately 20 metres (66 ft) to the grid and more than 15 metres (49 ft) of wing space combined. It has 80 fly lines including 7 overhead lighting bars and an orchestra pit that can be hydraulically raised to audience floor or stage thrust levels.