86 Mosman St
Charters Towers QLD 4820
P (07) 4761 5430
E worldtheatre @charterstowers.qld.gov.au
The World Theatre concept was conceived in 1993 to provide Charters Towers and the surrounding area with a cultural complex that would unite the district and celebrate cultural diversity in a unique historical city.
During gold rush times, Charters Towers was the 2nd largest city in Queensland and affectionately referred to as ‘The World’.
The World Theatre includes an existing heritage building which has undergone various changes of identity since its 1891 construction. Back in its formative years during the gold rush era, the building housed the Australian Joint Stock Bank. In 1931 it became the Bank of Commerce, which was followed by the Bank of NSW from 1933.more details click here
In 1937 Dr Woodburn Stevens paid the princely sum of £450 and turned the building into a house where he lived until 1957, when accountant Norman Dungavell took ownership to open his firm on the premises. Title eventually passed to Norman’s son Graham who sold the building in 1994.
After refurbishment and renovation with support from local businesses, government and individuals, the building reopened in 1996 as The World Theatre.
It is a cultural complex where the unique blend of heritage architecture and state of the art technology meet with great success
Stage...
Charters Towers is fortunate to have a Performing Arts venue such as The World Theatre. Mt Leyshon Auditorium hosts an exciting calendar of events including plays, concerts, performance, dance, comedy, conferences, school awards and other events - and is also available for hire.
With a 650 seat Auditorium ideal for live music performances, conferences and plays; the Heritage foyer contains the Box Office and space for special events such as foyer recitals, openings and cocktail parties; and the Art Gallery showcases local and travelling exhibitions; The World Theatre satisfies the majority of the cultural needs of the region.
Owned and operated by the Charters Towers Regional Council, The World Theatre values the support of the Friends of the Theatre Volunteer Group, as ushers and Dungavell’s Bar operations.
Owned and operated by the Charters Towers Regional Council, The World Theatre values the support of the Friends of the Theatre Volunteer Group, as ushers and Dungavell’s Bar operations.
The auditorium has 660 very comfortable seats with wonderful sight lines, professional sound & lighting, counterweight fly system, full size stage, dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, and the glorious Yamaha C7 grand piano.
Thalanga cinema upstairs seats 150 and was named after a
local gold mine, while Pajingo cinema, with 125 seats, took its name from a
local cattle station; both spaces can also be useful for smaller conferences or
forums.
Sophisticated technical equipment offers the highest quality
2D & 3D screenings, with Dolby surround sound in a comfortable and relaxed
environment.
Check the weekly cinema program for current session times.
Refreshments can be selected from the enticing snacks on
offer at The Candy Bar. Hand-built choc-top ice-creams, freshly cooked popcorn
plus a variety of drinks and sweets will tempt your taste buds.
Live Performances & Special Events have the additional option of
purchasing adult beverages from the Bar pre-show and during interval.
Ask the friendly staff about Cinema Gift Vouchers, Rewards
promotions and group bookings.
Disabled access and facilities are available.
See you soon...
The World Theatre Gallery...
Hosting a variety of exhibition for artists using different forms and skill levels, the World Theatre Gallery offers an enticing range of visual art to inspire the senses.
For details of upcoming exhibitions, or to apply to exhibit, please contact Charters Towers Regional Council. P: 07 4761 5300
For event information call P 07 4761 5430 or look online www.facebook.com/WorldTheatreChartersTowers to find the latest movie & LIVE session times at World Theatre.
Buy tickets online anytime (+$1 ticket fee) www.worldtheatre.com.au
Council's privacy policy... click to read
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Charters Towers theatrical history...
Sports, music and the arts all had fantastic followings during gold rush times. It was said that everything you might desire could be had in the Towers. There was no reason to travel elsewhere for anything... this is why the town became known affectionately as ‘The World'...
THEATRE ROYAL (Charters Towers) (ca. 1871-1970) Constructed of iron, timbre and weatherboard, Charters Towers' Theatre Royal reportedly held upwards of 2,000 people, and played host to a wide variety of entertainments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including boxing tournaments, vaudeville/minstrelsy, legitimate drama, opera and film. Virgil Coyle (later of Birch, Carroll and Coyle) was associated with the Royal during the late-1900s/early-1910s.
Tivoli Theatre picture gardens in Mosman Street (opposite the Crown Hotel) opened on 9 July 1915
CAMPBELL'S PICTURES was operating in 1918, according to an ad in the Miner Newspaper in that year, as was the Tivoli and the Olympia.
Sports, music and the arts all had fantastic followings during gold rush times. It was said that everything you might desire could be had in the Towers. There was no reason to travel elsewhere for anything... this is why the town became known affectionately as ‘The World'...
THEATRE ROYAL (Charters Towers) (ca. 1871-1970) Constructed of iron, timbre and weatherboard, Charters Towers' Theatre Royal reportedly held upwards of 2,000 people, and played host to a wide variety of entertainments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including boxing tournaments, vaudeville/minstrelsy, legitimate drama, opera and film. Virgil Coyle (later of Birch, Carroll and Coyle) was associated with the Royal during the late-1900s/early-1910s.
Tivoli Theatre picture gardens in Mosman Street (opposite the Crown Hotel) opened on 9 July 1915
CAMPBELL'S PICTURES was operating in 1918, according to an ad in the Miner Newspaper in that year, as was the Tivoli and the Olympia.
When the Towers Players was established in 1962 to provide cultural and artistic activities for the community of Charters Towers and the local district, the group initially used the Royal for its productions, beginning with Trial by Jury. The society eventually moved out of the theatre after the members managed to purchase the old Anglican church (built in 1883), and which subsequently became the St Paul's Playhouse. https://towersplayers.blogspot.com/
source: ozvta.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/theatre-royal-charters-towers-2132015.pdf
more theatres... https://ozvta.com/theatres-qld-2/
1891 The Queensland National Bank as designed by Queensland's foremost architect F. D. G. Stanley is erected in Mosman Street in December at a cost of £9,000. The former QNB building is put to use as City Hall in 1949.
1902 There are 38 hotels or licensed premises operating in Charters Towers principally in Mosman and Gill Streets. Local district licensing records attest to at least another 78 hotels in operation beyond the town at some stage from 1864-1911
1909 Charters Towers is proclaimed a city in April.
1977 The city is readily converted into a movie set for the making of The Irishman which involves local people performing minor roles in the film.
1996 The World Theatre opens in September after being converted by architect from what was originally the Australian Joint Stock Bank, built in 1891 to a design by Queensland's foremost architect F. D. G. Stanley.
source: www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/history
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