The Princess Theatre reopened to the public in October 2021 as a sister venue to Brisbane icon, The Tivoli. The purchase and revitalisation of the 133-year-old theatre is helmed by The Tivoli owners, brothers Steve and Dave Sleswick.
Located in the burgeoning historic district of Clarence Corner, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, The Princess is a thoughtfully restored State Heritage building home to a state-of-the-art performance auditorium designed for a standing capacity of 920 and a seated theatre capacity of 520. It also features four bars, a public café, private event spaces, a rehearsal room, a co-working creative office and workshop space and an outdoor courtyard.
Architect’s JDA Co.’s design for the 1475m², two-storey refurbishment was extensive and by opening up the gallery to the lobby and creating a central doorway to the mezzanine, they were able to create a new sightline for audiences. From the lobby and the upstairs gallery, patrons now catch a glimpse of the stage and the decorative auditorium ceiling that creates a great sense of anticipation. The dress circle was reconfigured adding a central aisle, re-pitching the seating tiers and adding a front row bench seat, all elements which have all significantly improved sightlines to the stage.
Setting Line Theatre Consulting was asked to take on the project following previous designs having been assessed as not meeting operational needs. They worked with the owners’ operational teams and the other consultants/contractors to design systems and nominate equipment for the venue.
Setting Line’s work included operational design including spatial set outs, load in/out access, patron access, technical operations such as sound/lighting desk positions, stage and auditorium rigging requirements, performance lighting and sound systems designs, stage management systems, performance and presentation equipment specification, digital signage, commercial use options of the various spaces, future use planning etc. They also provided advice regarding structural requirements for performance rigging, sound systems, performance electrical requirements and venue operations for other consultants.
“We were pleased to hear that HME Services were appointed contractor as their experience across the industry, their understanding of and immediate investment in the project was exemplary,” commented Craig Gamble, Setting Line’s Principal.
HME Services, working to a tight time frame and with the added complexities of working in a heritage venue provided additional design advice, technical infrastructure cabling installations and commissioning, rigging and draping systems, stage lighting power cabling (cable and connectors), lighting patch bay and power distribution, interfaces to performance sound systems as well as all backstage and FOH systems and equipment.
After a series of Covid related postponements, the Princess reopened, on 28th October 2021 and has rapidly become a leading venue in the Brisbane music, performance and event scene.
