The Queen’s Theatre, built in 1840, is the oldest surviving theatre on mainland Australia. The heritage listed site has been managed by GWB McFarlane Theatres since 2018.
The venue is available for hire, dependent on availability.
PRICE GUIDE
Below is a price guide for hiring the venue, please use our hire enquiry form for an accurate personalised estimate. Prices are subject to change.
Theatre mode – main theatre
Includes full audio/staging/lighting/tiered seating package with a capacity of 340 – 400, download the theatre mode booklet for full specs.
Theatre season starting from $20,000 a week
Corporate Events starting from $12,000 a day
Stables - smaller space
Includes staging/audio/lighting package.
Starting from $3,000
Photoshoot - main theatre or Stables
Starting from $1,500 a day
The Chambers
The 10m high original 1840’s beams are exposed throughout The Chambers, the main theatre. Set in theatre mode with a seating capacity of up to 400. The removable seating provides flexibility to cater for a variety of events such as live music, performance, corporate and awards nights and cocktail parties.
Floor size 540m2
The Stables (aka The Lounge)
Leading off to the east is a smaller, intimate L-shaped space, The Stables. A fully furnished lounge bar complete with stage, lighting and audio, The perfect setting for smaller functions.
Floor size 225m2
GWB McFarlane Theatres manages the internal bars at the Queens for all events. We work with local suppliers & personnel to stock, staff, provide security & manage hospitality for arts & private events.
We can offer pay as you go service, pre-paid tab or corkage rate for supplied stock. The Queens does not offer dry hire.
Bars
Queens Little Bar (aka main theatre bar) is a small intimate bar situated in the same location as the theatres original bar, The Shakespeare’s Tavern, 184 years ago. Open most Thursdays from 4pm – 9pm and during performances in the main theatre. Available for hire for networking drinks and smaller gatherings.
Stables bar is in the smaller of the 2 dedicated performance spaces and services events and shows in the Stables as well as a second bar for large theatre shows.
Capacity
Licensed capacity currently stands at 620 persons (including staff) within the entire venue. There is scope to increase the capacity if additional toilets are brought in.
Capacity of each space depends on the style of furnishings, eg cabaret tables, standing only, row seating or a combination.
Theatre Mode set up can accommodate from 340 - 400.
It’s a strong recommendation to apply for a street closure with numbers over 500 persons.
Accessibility
There are no stairs into the Stables or the main theatre entrance. The venue has accessible ramps into the main theatre from both the foyer entrance and Stables entrance.
There is a dedicated accessible bathroom with a left hand transfer.
Tech Specs
Rigging - The Chambers (main theatre)
South end: Three (3) steel trusses rated at 2 tonne static load per truss.
North End: Four (4) wooden beams, rated at 2 x 50kg static load per beam.
Power
GPOs and 3 phase power in both The Chambers and The Stables.
Access & Parking
The main entrance to the Queen’s Theatre is located on the corner of Playhouse Lane and Gilles Arcade.
The Chambers has a loading dock via Waymouth Street (110 Waymouth Street in your GPS will get you to this entrance).
A public carpark is directly across from the theatre at 20 Playhouse Lane. After 4pm on weekends and weekdays, parking is a flat rate of $7 per day. For more information, please click here.
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