Milestone birthday amid major upgrades at Arts Centre Melbourne

Milestone birthday amid major upgrades at Arts Centre Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building and iconic Spire celebrates its 40th anniversary on October 29.

The occasion is being marked with the release of a new documentary series Building An Icon, architecture and design tours, a furniture installation and an Australian Performing Arts Collection display.  

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building and Spire, home of the State Theatre, Playhouse and Fairfax Studio, was the vision of pioneering architect Sir Roy Grounds, while Oscar-winning designer John Truscott masterminded the lush interiors. The official opening on October 29, 1984, was a glittering party for the ages – after decades of planning, advocacy and construction. 

Forty years later, the cultural landmark is undergoing its first major upgrades as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, with improvements to accessibility, acoustics, and comfort inside the landmark State Theatre, as well as new spaces for visitors to enjoy in the Theatres Building. 

“We invite the community to celebrate and reflect on this significant milestone by attending a show, joining a tour, watching our documentary series or just taking in the beautiful architecture and design of the building,” Arts Centre Melbourne’s CEO Karen Quinlan AM said.

Building an Icon, out this month, is hosted by mid-century design enthusiast Tim Ross. The three-part video series features exclusive interviews and rare archival material. In conversation with guests including Victoria Grounds (daughter of Sir Roy Grounds), and historian Denise Whitehouse, Tim Ross explores how the blend of striking architecture, Hollywood-style interiors and mid-century Australian art so successfully brings together people and performance.

 The series concludes with a focus on the future of Arts Centre Melbourne, looking at the works that are currently underway as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.

As part of the works, significant upgrades are taking place inside the State Theatre. For the first time, there will be new lifts to help patrons with impaired mobility access the Stalls. New aisles in the Stalls and Circle will make it more efficient to find your seat, with accessible seating included throughout the auditorium. 

When the upgrades are complete, audiences will experience greater comfort, and benefit from improved sound and lighting systems, bringing this beloved theatre into the 21st century. The Theatres Building is also being expanded, with a new Loading Dock and back-of-house spaces, as well as a new Stage Door. 

For more information and to join the celebrations, visit artscentremelbourne.com.au/40th-Anniversary • 

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