Brisbane Arts Theatre - Venue History

Venue History

The Brisbane Arts Theatre was the first theatre company in Brisbane to operate its own theatre premises. The venue is located at 210 Petrie Terrace, in the suburb of Petrie Terrace. It seats 155 people in the stalls and gallery combined and features a small courtyard and a bar.

The property, formerly Dan's, a second-hand shop, was purchased in June 1959 for £6,000 and redeveloped as a theatre. Initially reported to seat 220, it opened in September 1961 with a single level, raked 144 seat auditorium and a 10ft deep stage. The first floor accommodated the costume department and office. The theatre was officially opened by Premier of Queensland Frank Nicklin on 22 September.

At around 3 am on 31 May 1964, the theatre was heavily damaged by fire, caused by an electrical fault in the toilet block. Upon initial assessment of the damage, the theatre director and insurance representatives agreed that the building could be repaired within a matter of weeks, however, smouldering materials ignited a second blaze at 8.30am, which resulted in extensive damage throughout. £12,000 was loaned by the Commonwealth Trading Bank for the rebuilding of the theatre based on a new design by the initial architect, John Dalton. It included the addition of a dress circle, increased stalls capacity, a 25ft deep stage and two dressing rooms under the stage. The theatre reopened on 25 June 1965, the reconstruction totalling £20,000.

In the late 1960s the adjoining cottage - a deceased estate - was purchased for £6,000 and later, in the early 1970s, the two story building at 222 Petrie Terrace was added to the complex. The cottage, at number 206, was renamed after Cor Boogaart, a set constructionist for the theatre for 27 years. The property at number 222 housed the theatre's wardrobe department and rehearsal space until its sale in 2011. Cor Boogart Cottage, having previously been used as a rehearsal venue, now houses the wardrobe division and a rehearsal space and set construction workshop downstairs. The two rehearsal venues were renovated between 1976 and 1978 at the same time as the construction of the theatre's current office and bar. The Cor Boogaart Cottage was again refurbished following the sale of 222 in May 2011.