Comedy Theatre

The Comedy Theatre is a theatre located at 240 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, described by its operator as one of Melbourne's favourite theatres. Built in 1928, it blends European flavours, with an exterior that is a replica of a Florentine palace and an interior showing a strong Spanish influence, and it still maintains many original characteristics including balcony seating, a generous foyer and an elegant staircase. It is one of five Melbourne CBD venues managed and operated by Marriner Group, alongside the Princess Theatre, Regent Theatre, Forum Melbourne and the Plaza Ballroom.

The Comedy Theatre dates from Melbourne's theatrical boom in the late 1920s and was built in 1928. The site on the corner of Lonsdale and Stephen (later Exhibition) Streets had earlier theatrical use: the first recorded use was Rowe's American Circus in 1852, and it was soon purchased by theatrical entrepreneur George Coppin as the location for his first Melbourne theatre, the Olympic, known locally as the "Iron Pot" — a prefabricated cast iron building manufactured in Manchester, England and shipped to Australia, whose first show was in June 1855. The Olympic lasted only five years as a theatre. The site was subsequently used for various purposes, including Melbourne's first Turkish baths, then a warehouse after a fire in 1866, and in the 1880s again as a circus site and headquarters for 'King' Cole. In 1913 JC Williamsons, one of the largest theatrical companies in the world, purchased the site, initially using the space as a short-lived film studio and a scenery dock for Her Majesty's Theatre. By the mid-1920s JC Williamsons decided to construct the Comedy Theatre as a more 'intimate' theatre. The Comedy Theatre is now one of five Melbourne CBD venues managed and operated by Marriner Group, a family owned and operated business for four decades; the Marriner family first purchased the Princess Theatre in 1986, and Marriner Theatres went on to give the Regent, Princess and Comedy Theatres a new life as some of Melbourne's landmark and most spectacular venues. Marriner Group is owned by brother and sister team Kayely Marriner and Jason Marriner.

One of Melbourne's favourite theatres, a heritage venue within Marriner Group's portfolio of iconic Melbourne CBD venues.

1. 1Comedy Theatre Melbourne | Marriner Groupmarrinergroup.com.au
2. 2History of the Comedy Theatre Melbourne | Marriner Groupmarrinergroup.com.au
3. 3About Marriner Group | Marriner Groupmarrinergroup.com.au
4. 4Storytime Ballet: Cinderella Melbourne Tickets | Marriner Groupmarrinergroup.com.au
5. 5Comedy Theatrewikidata.org