The Ambassadors Theatre opened in 1928 and could seat 2000 patrons under its dome painted with stars and had projected moving clouds. Entertainers performed on stage to the music of a Wurlitzer organ with glamorous costumes. It closed in 1972 and the building was demolished as film and television replaced live entertainment.
The Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) has an amazing collection of theatre programs, costumes, photographs, press clippings, scripts, scores and other historic pieces.
The current display has 200 photographs, posters, programmes and recordings from the Ambassadors Theatre and is well worth a look for a gold coin donation.
MOPA is situated downstairs in His Majesty’s Theatre, Hay Street Perth. The display is open Monday – Friday 10am-4pm, until 31 August 2010.
The State Library of Western Australia also has a range of photographs of the Ambassadors Theatre in it’s online catalogue.
hi can anyone help me? did louis armstrong visit perth at ’round 1963 at the ambassadors theatre in hay streeet.
John, a good place to find out is the Museum of Performing Arts, managed by Ivan King in the basement level of His Majesty’s Theatre in Hay Street, Perth.
The web page is http://www.mopa.com.au/ics-wpd/docs/Museum%20info.htm.
It has an online catalogue of theatre programs and memorabilia at http://www.mopa.com.au/ics-wpd/docs/search.htm