Warner Theatre

The original structure located in King Street, Adelaide (1856): Opened as White’s Rooms, a function centre that later hosted Garner’s Theatre. In 1889. the entrepreneur Tommy Hudson took over management of Garner’s Theatre and in 1882 renamed it as Hudson’s Bijou. June 1900, and show business enterpreneur Harry Rickards purchased Hudson’s Bijou, and after purchase he renamed it Tivoli Theatre and integrated it into his circuit of variety theatres across Australia with the intention of persuing a vaudeville policy. When he took possesion two large gasoliers hung from the roof to light the auditorium. This is a decorative ceiling fixture, similar to a chandelier essential for lighting theatres and formal spaces before the widespread adoption of electricity. Retigulated gas was not available in Adelaide until the late-1800’s. Highlights under Rickards banner would include W.C. Fields the legendary American comedian and actor in 1903, and Harry Houdini in 1910, the celebrated illusionist who performed in a one-week engagement. The theatre would later become a cinema, to be known for a short time as the Star Theatre.

Majestic Amusements Ltd. purchased the site changing the name to Majestic Theatre. A major re-build followed which totalled £18,000. Also part of the project was constructing the Majestic Hotel. This involved the removal of the theatre’s gallery seating area and the building of a new staircase to the dress circle. Then in a major innovation the theatre was fitted with two sliding roofs located over the dress circle and front staalls. Sliding or retractable roofs in early cinemas, often referred to as ‘atmospheric theatres’ were pioneering architectural features designed to enhance patron enjoyment. The Majestic Theatre on King William Street opened on 5th June 1910 and would would become a prominent venue in Adelaide’s entertainment history. By 1946 it was operated by Fullers Theatres Pty. Ltd.

In 1950, the Commonwealth Banking Corporation obtained the ownership & title of the Majestic Theatre. The bank would allow the theatre to continue screening for three decades and by 1956 it was operated by Celebrity Theatres Property Ltd.

On 24th November 1967. Celebrity Theatres Pty Ltd, reopened the Majestic Theatre with a name change to Celebrity Theatre Restaurant. $70,000 had been invested in the rebuilding. Alterations included the removal of many theatre installations, such as the seating in the stalls. Other additions involved a new floor for the stage and the extension of the basement, while the dressing rooms were converted into kitchens. New neon signs graced the facade along with a new entrance canopy. The theatre restaurant lasted only two years, with Celebrity Theatres Property Ltd. allegedly being sued for unpaid debts.

In 1969, City Projects Pty Ltd. became the final tenant of the theatre. The venue was reopened as the Warner Theatre, named after the Hollywood company, with the intention for both live shows and cinema use. The final live show in 1977 was a short season of “The Rocky Horror Show”. The final film was screened on 2nd February 1980 when Christopher Plummer & James Mason in “Murder by Decree” brought the curtain down on this historic cinema.

The Commonwealth Banking Corporation announced the demolition of the site. In response, there was a public out-cry - a Majestic Preservation Society was formed in an attempt to save the theatre. Despite this in January 1981, the Warner Theatre and Majestic Hotel were demolished. The theatre was 123-years old, the longest surviving theatre in Adelaide. In 1984, a Commonwealth Bank and office tower was built on the site.

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