Help us bring His Majesty’s Theatre back to its full glory.
His Majesty’s Theatre opened on Christmas Eve in 1904 with a performance of The Forty Thieves.
Built in the Federation Free Classical style, when it opened it was the largest theatre in Australia and featured the country’s biggest stage.
In the following 117 years it has grown to become one of Western Australia’s great public buildings and a leading performing arts venue.
Help us bring His Majesty’s Theatre back to its full glory. The importance of His Majesty’s Theatre to the cultural fabric of Western Australia has been recognised by its inclusion on the State Register of Heritage Places and Classification by the National Trust of Western Australia. It has also been named “State Heritage Icon” and is the only remaining working Edwardian theatre in the Southern Hemisphere.
The balconies of His Majesty’s Theatre were removed in 1953. The removal of the balconies created a harsher street frontage, removed the visible entry points to the building and reduced audience flows, particularly to the Upper Circle.
Since 2010 significant works have been undertaken to keep His Majesty’s Theatre a viable home for the West Australian Opera and West Australian Ballet, as well as the premier performance space for visiting artists.
Building on this work by restoring the balconies will reconnect His Majesty’s Theatre back to the city. It creates covered pathways for pedestrians, a blank canvas for art projections and new places for visitors to sit and stay.
Improved foyer spaces will also provide opportunities to lift up the Museum of Performing Arts collection, creating new areas for display across the venue which will, in turn, encourage more people to enjoy this beautiful building.
How you can help
Restoration of the balconies to their original splendour and upgrades to the associated foyers will restore, protect and conserve His Majesty’s Theatre, ensuring it remains a viable entertainment venue for future generations.
The project will be partly funded by the WA State Government COVID Recovery Plan.
Through a National Trust appeal, Perth Theatre Trust is seeking to raise additional funds to go towards heritage restoration works which will include:
- Reconnecting the front of house spaces to the balconies
- Creating a new bar and function area for the Upper Circle
- Repainting the façade elements
- Highlighting the Museum of Performing Arts collection.
As the custodian of a Western Australian icon, Perth Theatre Trust is committed to ensuring this building remains an asset for generations.
All donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Every gift, regardless of the size, will help us conserve His Majesty’s Theatre for the future.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
For enquiries please contact themajrestoration@ptt.wa.gov.au or Shauna Weeks, Manager – Communications and Programming, Perth Theatre Trust.
To donate, visit the National Trust WA here.
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