The Criterion Theatre was a theatre in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

, Australia which was built in 1886 by architect George R Johnson on the south east corner of Pitt and

Park A park is an area of natural, semi-natural or planted space set aside for human enjoyment and recreation or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. Urban parks are urban green space, green spaces set aside for recreation inside t ...

streets. It closed in 1935 and the building was demolished.

History

The Criterion Theatre often referred to as the 'Cri' opened on 27 December 1886. Situated on the south east corner of Pitt and

streets,

, it was funded by John Solomon and designed by architect George R Johnson. The 'Cri', was Sydney's most famous intimate playhouse at the time with a

Neo-Renaissance Renaissance Revival architecture (sometimes referred to as "Neo-Renaissance") is a group of 19th-century Revivalism (architecture), architectural revival styles which were neither Greek Revival architecture, Greek Revival nor Gothic Revival ar ...

exterior and a capacity of approximately 991 seats. The 'Cri' was used for drama and music performances for almost 50 years. It closed in 1935, partially as a result of the Depression and competition from the growth of cinemas and was demolished in 1935, to facilitate the widening of Park Street. The Criterion Hotel was built on the narrow strip of land remaining, a legacy of one of Sydney's earliest theatres.The Criterion Theatre Sydney
at History of Australian Theatre

Design and construction

The Criterion Theatre was built in the baroque (Italianate) style or the Neo-Renaissance style. It was conjoined with the Criterion Family Hotel. The internal design was Georgian colonial with a seating capacity of between 990-1000. The auditorium colour scheme was light blue and gold. Seats were covered in ruby plush velvet and balconies incorporated gilt and brocade. This was a distinct change from the conventions of theatre colour schemes at the time which tended to favour green baize. A portrait of James Cook proclaiming the east coast of Australia in the name of Britain descended between acts. Although seen as an improvement on theatre design for Sydney, a report by the colonial architect was critical of inadequate and malodorous backstage facilities, in particular the orchestra pit and dressing rooms. This triggered a refurbishment in 1892. Interiors were remodelled along Moorish inspired colours of pale blue, fawn and gold. Cook's portrait was replaced by a Moorish Palace. A further refurbishment in 1905 addressed health and safety issues of backstage facilities as well as fireproofing, increased number of exits and additional seating capacity.

Productions

The Criterion Theatre opened with the operetta ''Falka'' performed by the Rignold and Allison Opera Company. Other notable productions included ''

The Sultan of Mocha ''The Sultan of Mocha'' is a three act comic opera with a score by Alfred Cellier and a libretto by Albert Jarrett. It was first produced at the Prince's Theatre, Manchester in 1874 and revived in London in 1876 and 1887 (with a new libretto by W ...

'' (1890), ''The Kelly Gang'' (1898) and ''The Squatter's Daughter'' (1907). It hosted a number of production companies including Brough Bouicault Comedy Company (producing works by Pinero and Wilde), Henry Bracy's Comic Opera Company, Pollards Lilliputian Opera Company and the Curtis Minstrels. Expatriates Oscar Ashe and Lily Brayton also toured production at the Cri. The final production at the Cri was Barry Connor's ''The Patsy''. In 1915,

J. C. Williamson's J. C. Williamson's, formerly Williamson, Garner, & Musgrove and Williamson and Musgrove, was an Australian theatrical management company and theatre owner. With its beginnings in the theatrical productions of J. C. Williamson and his p ...

leased the Cri from new owner Frank Musgrove. Williamson's imported London West End shows until the Cri closed in 1935. Prior to closure and demolition the north east corner of Pitt and park streets (adjacent to the Cri) became a popular meeting place for unemployed actors and was known as Poverty Point. The Criterion Family Hotel survived the demolition and became a popular watering hole for actors engaged in radio plays at the nearby Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC).

References

{{Authority control 1886 establishments in Australia Demolished buildings and structures in Sydney Former theatres in Sydney Demolished theatres Buildings and structures demolished in 1935