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NATIONAL
THEATRE - ST KILDA
The National Theatre
is located on the corner of Carlisle and Barkly Streets, St
Kilda (Melways
Reference Map 58 B10) – 5 kms from the Melbourne
CBD, 150 metres from the St Kilda foreshore and 5 minutes
walk from a wide range of interesting and delicious dining
in Acland, Fitzroy or Carlisle Streets – very handy
for pre or post theatre dining or for a great coffee, cake
or gelati.
HISTORY
In a suburb bursting
with eclectic cultural icons, The ‘Nash’ proudly
holds its place as one of St Kilda’s most beloved social,
theatrical and architectural landmarks with a history worthy
of its special status.
Originally opening in 1921 as the 3,000 seat Victory Cinema,
the largest in Melbourne at the time, the cinema also boasted
space for a full size resident orchestra, which became quite
renowned – The Victory Concert Orchestra. Over the next
fifty years, several renovations saw facilities improve to
convert the cinema to show talking pictures, and through several
incarnations, to make the theatre more luxurious for patrons.
From 1972-4, the
theatre underwent a major reconstruction, and reopened in
1974 as The National Theatre, a 783 seat live theatre venue
using the former Dress Circle as the auditorium and with ballet
and drama schools and studios occupying what was once the
Stalls.
There have been
several refurbishments since, to improve both technical and
backstage facilities as well as audience comfort. These include
disabled access and modern airconditioning, a spacious orchestra
pit and functional fly tower, and large seats on a single
rake (no upstairs balcony) with good sightlines for the 783
patrons. Through all the renovations, the art deco external
façade and internal period architecture of the building
have been retained, so that entering the theatre and ascending
the grand marble staircase is a special feeling which gives
patrons a sense of wonder and awe at the history and majesty
of the venue and locale.
ST
KILDA
St Kilda –
a world famous suburb that is a tourist attraction in itself.
Centrally located only 5 kms from Melbourne’s CBD, and
serviced by a wide range of public transport, St Kilda is
a melting pot of cultural and lifestyle diversity featuring:–
- cosmopolitan
cafes,
delis, cake shops, upmarket
restaurants and everything between to suit any taste,
budget and waistline
- beaches, piers
and a magnificent esplanade with exquisite sunsets and views
along a stunning foreshore
- shopping (famous
strips include Carlisle,
Fitzroy
and Acland
Sts) - quirky and funky shops for clothing, homewares,
collectables and gifts, retro and op shops, designer boutiques
and markets
(including the famous Sunday Arts and Craft Market along
the foreshore)
- art
galleries and museums
- performing arts
spaces – theatres (Palais,
National,
Theatreworks,
Red
Stitch), and cinemas (The
Astor, the
George)
- special events
and festivals
- parks
and gardens (including the St
Kilda Botanical Gardens and the Catani
Gardens)
- sporting and
recreational facilities, including the iconic St
Kilda Sea Baths
- historic buildings
and architecture (including the St
Kilda Town Hall, the Palais
and National
Theatres)
- Luna
Park – a renowned Melbourne landmark
CLOC is thrilled
to be joining this eclectic list of St Kilda attractions and
adding to its vibrant arts and cultural scene.
DISABLED
ACCESS
Two disabled car
parks are located directly outside the National Theatre in
Barkly Street, with a modified footpath to accommodate wheelchairs.
There is also a disabled car park located diagonally opposite
the theatre in Carlisle Street.
Disabled access
to the theatre is available via a vertical lift located in
the lower foyer (just past the ladies toilets) to the mezzanine
level foyer. There are two stair climbers available to take
either a standard wheelchair or mobility impaired patrons
up to the auditorium or bar areas. The stair climbers have
a maximum load of 225 kgs and are designed for standard (non-motorised)
wheelchairs. Their base dimensions are 77cm (wide) by 100cm
(long). Equipment outside these limits cannot be safely accommodated.
Please discuss your needs when booking your tickets.
A hearing loop is available to be turned on if prior warning
is received by the theatre management. Either a headphone
or neck loop is available from the box office upon
request when booking your tickets.
St Kilda Beach - Melbourne Skyline
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National Theatre - Cnr Barkly & Carlisle Streets St Kilda
Acland Street, St Kilda
Catani Gardens - St kilda
Botanic Gardens - St Kilda
Luna Park - St Kilda
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