The Universal Theatre was a theatre at 13 Victoria Street, Fitzroy in Melbourne, Australia which operated from the late 1970s to the late 1990s.[1]

It was established as part of the Universal Workshop in the mid-1970s by colourful barrister John Weller. The Universal Workshop was a former factory containing the theatre, a cinema and studios.[2]

The Universal Theatre opened as a professional venue in May 1979 with Robyn Archer's cabaret A Star is Torn, which played for five weeks.[3] The theatre gained an early reputation for lively alternative performance including theatre, visual theatre, music and comedy.[4]

During the 1980s, the 320-seat theatre and small cinema were converted into a 450-seat main theatre and the 150-seat Universal 2. Long-running productions included Wogs Out of Work and Torch Song Trilogy.[5]

The building was redeveloped into apartments in the mid-2000s.

References

  1. ↑ "A grab-bag of music, theatre". The Age. 17 January 1980. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "RAISING THE ROOF WITH SHINGLES". Australian Financial Review. 24 August 1990. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. ↑ Perkin, Corrie (14 August 1980). "Torn from home". The Age. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ↑ Radic, Leonard (22 July 1983). "Echoes within 'Echoes' at the Universal". The Age.
  5. ↑ Lopez, Elisabeth (22 December 1989). "People are flocking back to the city theatre fringe". The Age. Retrieved 22 November 2020.

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