Stakeholders look forward to reopening of Ballarat’s refreshed Her Majesty’s Theatre

The heart of Ballarat’s creative and artistic life will soon reopen its doors to the public, with the finishing touches being made to a refreshed Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The grand re-opening, scheduled for November, will unveil an upgraded venue that respects the theatre’s rich history, incorporates state-of-the-art amenities and ensures the venue has improved accessibility for patrons, staff and performers.

The $16.3 million project is supported by $10 million from the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

Joining Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney; Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison and other key stakeholders for a tour of the facility today, City of Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson stated “community access to Her Majesty’s Theatre has been extremely limited in recent years, with the vital redevelopment works commencing not long after the pandemic.

“There is so much excitement in the air around the theatre reopening and after getting a sneak preview inside, I can promise people will not be disappointed.

“This redevelopment not only preserves an iconic piece of our city’s history but also ensures that it remains a vibrant, functional space for future generations to enjoy.”

The latest works at Her Majesty’s began in February 2023 and have been the most significant to date.

Substantial accessibility improvements have been made, including the installation of two new elevators providing direct access to the stage for artists and performers and access for patrons to all levels of the auditorium. Other noticeable upgrades include an improved front-of-house area, new toilet facilities, a new administration area and improved back of house artist amenities.

A number of shows have already been announced at Her Majesty’s for late-2024, including three-time Grammy award winning artist St. Vincent and Marcia Hines.

The venue will also celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025, with plans well under way to mark the significant milestone in collaboration with the community.

Image (from left): City of Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson; Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney; Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison and Chair of Royal South Street Society, Lindsay Eaton prior to today's tour of Ballarat’s refreshed Her Majesty’s Theatre.