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Palace Theatre Lake Street and Shield Street, Cairns, QLD

A brand new Palace Theatre was designed by the architect Harvey Draper and built in Lake Street opposite Hides Hotel in 1914. Messrs. (Rolley and Padgett, engineers of Brisbane, were the successful tenderers for the skeleton steel frame work and roof trusses. Mr. C. P. Jorgensen, the well-known contractor of Cairns has secured, the second contract to complete the building. Mr. J. Benson is responsible for the electrical installation. The building covers a quarter acre block. The auditorium is 108ft x 55ft, while the operating box measures 12ft x 8ft and is located with clear view over the staircase.

The front wall is of reinforced concrete, rendered in cement on both sides. Tho main grand stairway is in the centre of the vestibule, with ticket-box. cloak-room and manager’s office to the left. The stage is 18ft deep, and runs the full width of the building, while dressing rooms are adjacent. The screen is said to be one of the largest in the Commonwealth. The theatre seats 1200 people. Frederick James “Archie” Richards is recorded as the Palaces first Electric Biograph Operator. The Palace theatre opened on 21 Dec 1914.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -