Forum Theatre

The Forum Theatre

The Melbourne audio-guided tour stops you before the Forum Theatre, whose refined architecture catches the eye on leaving Federation Square. A former cinema turned concert hall, this historic theatre is among the most distinctive buildings in the city.

An atmospheric cinema palace

Built in 1929, the Forum Theatre, first named State Theatre, is the work of the Austro-American architect John Eberson, famous for developing cinema palaces in the so-called atmospheric theatre style. He designed more than five hundred of them around the world, and he is also responsible for the Grand Rex in Paris. At its opening, the hall offered one of the largest performance spaces in Melbourne.

What there is to see

The atmospheric theatre seeks to recreate the illusion of a starry sky: the ceiling of the Forum, dotted with stars, overlooks a setting evoking a Mediterranean courtyard, with columns, statues and ancient facades. This spectacular staging makes the Forum one of the most appreciated venues in Melbourne, where concerts and shows are held today.

Practical information

The Forum Theatre is on Flinders Street, facing Federation Square, in the centre of Melbourne. The facade can be seen freely from the street; access to the interior is in the context of concerts and shows, whose programming, hours and prices vary. It is best to check the programme in advance.

Who built the Forum Theatre ?

The architect John Eberson, in 1929, a specialist in cinema palaces in the atmospheric theatre style.

What is an atmospheric theatre ?

A hall designed to recreate the illusion of a starry sky and an outdoor setting, like the Mediterranean courtyard of the Forum.