Victoria
The Princess Theatre conservation includes the restoration of the 1922 Henry E. White decorative scheme following the conclusion of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for which the entire auditorium was painted black with gold highlights and overwritten with text only visible with UV light.
The project included a multidisciplinary team to thoroughly investigate the existing paint schemes to accurately determine colours, treatments and finishes of the 1922 interior scheme. The reinstatement works required traditional painting techniques and specific decorative skills. The project was undertaken in a short timeframe between productions allowing the Theatre to maintain its operational capacity.
The project required a close working relationship with Heritage Victoria throughout the investigative, scoping and delivery phases to ensure that all permit conditions were satisfied.
The restored Henry E. White decorative scheme of 1922 has enhances the richness and overall visitor experience of the Princess Theatre.
Award for Heritage – Conservation
Princess Theatre Auditorium Conservation Works by Conservation Studio Australia
The Princess Theatre Auditorium is an important cultural landmark for Melbourne, with primary use and all aspects of the building largely unchanged for over 140 years. The restoration’s primary objective was to repair and refurbish the paintwork to the auditorium interior, after many years of altered paint schemes for productions such as the recent Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The architects and contractors had a short 14 weeks to complete the investigation and delivery of the project.
Under time pressures of an undeniably compressed period, the team conducted extensive research and review to ensure colours and painting methods were meticulously reinstated. The team decided on a restoration of the 1922 Henry E White decorative scheme and worked with stakeholders and skilled artisans in parallel to achieve the outcome.
A commendable aspect of the project was that through the desktop and onsite research, the team working with Heritage Victoria devised solutions to best preserve the layers of history in the walls. This approach ensured a refreshed final finish that retained the grandeur and theatrics of the building’s past and allowed theatregoers to appreciate its rich history.
The Princess Theatre is the jewel in Melbourne’s crown of theatres, with a long tradition of repainting the interior to accommodate performances as they come and go. The departure of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child provided us the opportunity to truly reinstate the 1922 interiors, following the external works completed in 2018.
The short windows of opportunity between shows means that a project of this scale and complexity is always a challenge. The attention to detail and care taken has resulted in an outcome that has improved visitor experience and ensures we can continue to operate this iconic venue.
Christophe Loustau, Project Architect
Dan Blake, Project Architect
Christine Jorge, Graduate of Architecture
Almond Glass, Leadlight
Aluminium Scaffolds, Scaffolding
Health & Hospitality Flooring, Carpet
International Conservation Services, Conservator
Landair Surveys, Land Surveyor
Robert Shannon – Chandelier Therapy, Chandelier
Vision Ornate Plaster, Plasterer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
