Prince Edward Theatre (Sydney)

building facade of movie theatre
Prince Edward Theatre

Prince Edward Theatre was a picture theatre on Elizabeth and Castlereagh streets, Sydney, erected for the Carroll-Musgrove partnership of Harry G. Musgrove (died 27 April 1951) and brothers Edward and Dan Carroll) with financial backing from George Marlow in 1923.[1] Architects were Robertson & Marks, with technical assistance from Thomas W. Lamb, the American picture theatre designer.[2]

Described as Australia's "first cathedral of motion pictures",[3] it opened on 22 November 1924. The first film shown was The Ten Commandments

In the era of silent film, the live sound accompanying a film was important to its success. The Prince Edward Concert Orchestra, of up to 21 players, was initially conducted by Will Prior (–1948),[a] and followed 1927–1936 by Albert Cazabon, father of actor John Cazabon. The orchestra pit was raised or lowered by hydraulic lifts according to requirements. A Wurlitzer theatre organ, which could be used to either augment or replace the orchestra, was opened in February 1925 with Eddie Horton (born 1893)[b] at the console.[4]

The Prince Edward was regarded as unique in its elaborate sophistication until 1928, when the Regent, Capitol and State theatres opened or were refurbished in competition.

The theatre closed on 4 December 1965 and was subsequently demolished. The final film shown was a re-run of the 1956 classic, War and Peace.[5][6]

  1. ^ "New Theatre". The Journal (Adelaide). Vol. LVIII, no. 16046. South Australia. 2 February 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "New Super-theatre for Sydney". The Critic (Adelaide). Vol. XXX, no. 1163. South Australia. 9 June 1920. p. 9. Retrieved 2 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Prince Edward Theatre". The Sydney Mail. Vol. XXXIV, no. 870. New South Wales, Australia. 28 November 1928. p. 22. Retrieved 2 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ Jeannette Delamoir. "Hollywood in Australia — 2". National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney, AU". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Prince Edward Theatre". The Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 2 August 2020.


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