Egyptian Theatre

Egyptian Theatre

Egyptian-style theaters are based on the traditional and historic design elements of Ancient Egypt.

The first Egyptian Theatre to be constructed in the US - which inspired many of the identically-named theaters that followed it - was Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California. For several years, Hollywood developer Charles E. Toberman attempted to convince Sid Grauman to locate in Hollywood. During a meeting, Sid told Mr. Toberman of his desire to build a theater of Egyptian design. Mr. Toberman then secured a piece of property on Hollywood Blvd., just east of McCadden Pl. The architectural firm of Meyer & Holler were hired to design the theater. The result was Grauman's Egyptian Theater with a seating of 1770. The approach to the theater was through a courtyard. Inside, the stage was flanked by carved columns and models of the Sphinx. The theater was opened on October 19, 1922 with the grand premiere of "Robin Hood" starring Douglas Fairbanks.

The Eldorado theater located in Eldorado Amusement Park, Weehawken,New Jersey opened in 1891 and featured 'Egypt Through Centuries' each evening. The creators of the park, Palisades Amusement and Exhibition Company, published a book titled "Egypt Through the Centuries" in 1892.

Many of the other theaters that copied Grauman's Egyptian Theatre were part of the wave of Egyptian revival architecture that occurred after the November 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter.

Unlike the many theaters that followed in its wake, Grauman's Egyptian Theatre was designed, built, named and opened before the 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb. The news of the tomb's discovery reached the US a few weeks after the theater opened.

Early in the twentieth century, it is estimated that up to 100 of these theater types were constructed across the U.S. Many of them no longer exist, but there are many fine examples of this style still in use today. Conrad Schmitt Studios has played a big part in the restoration of these atmospheric theaters, including Egyptian Theatres in Ogden, Utah, Boise, Idaho, Delta, CO, and DeKalb, Illinois.