Ensemble Theatre Group

iPod in hand as I flick through the tracks I stop, the music begins to fill me head as I remember that same feeling as I did maybe 20 years ago.

London in the eighties there is nothing quite like going to London to see a musical, the excitement of that childhood trip I remember well. Early mornings here in Liverpool and the anticipation of the Pullman train journey down to Euston station in London when my father had to go on business.

My mother, sister and I were promised a trip shopping in London coupled with a musical. A sense of anticipation grew as the day went on, arriving at the Cumberland hotel while mother adorned in here fur coat discussed what seats were available for which shows. I guess it was about 1982 and a host of Andrew Lloyd Webber productions were being staged in the West End, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard, The Phantom of the Opera coupled with the rock musical Time or Mutiny on the Bounty. How times have changed.

Then little girls wore long dresses and ladies in cocktail dresses whilst the men wore black tie and evening jackets a really sense of occasion and like all young children my sister and I simply loved getting dresses up.

Finally the moment arrived seated in the centre circle waiting for the curtain to raise my sister on my left with mum and dad seated to my right , opera glasses in hand star struck waiting for the orchestra to play that first note. It mattered not which musical or even which theatre just those stage lights and that compelling tune that fills the theatre. On this occasion it happened to Sunset Boulevard and the curtained began to raise.

I knew from the very first time I watched my first musical that I would be a life long theatre goer and would dream of one day performing upon that stage. The music filled my head and my heart and the show began. There is no experience quiet like it and the glamour of the eighties theatre nights were there for everyone too see.

Before you knew where we were it was the interval, as the ladies and gentlemen flowed into the bar there was a silver tray with the name Warwick upon it our order already for us at the bar in the theatre, refreshments for all . Cigarettes and cigars lit the room filled with chatter of the performances while the air filled with the smell of cigars.

Five minutes ten minutes who knows soon we were seated back in our velvet seats again waiting for the final encounter. I will never forget the performance of an aged Hollywood star trying to deal with the end of the silent era a wonderful story moving and yet enlightening. The music seemed timeless and the experience will forever stick in my memory, ever show as memorable as the last ever performance unique.

Finally the audience raised the roof with applause standing clapping endlessness as the performers re-entered the stage to take there curtain call louder and louder the theatre rang with applause. Peering over the centre circle to take one last look at the stage I can remember that feeling a slight tear in my eye produced by happiness and a slight yawn as it was way past my bedtime. A family experience that once taken you would never forget.

As I lay in my bed that night I can remember seeing the lights and hearing the music melodically soothing me to sleep.

Regarded as one of Australia’s most beloved landmarks, Princess Theatre hosts world class stage dramas and musical productions like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mama Mia!, The Sound of Music  and The Producers. This theatre is the second building in the same site that was used for entertainment for a period of 135 years. The first building was Astley’s Amphitheatre that was opened in 1954 and the present theatre was opened in 1886 with the name christened as Princess Theatre. The theatre has been refurbished several times after this period and today it boasts as one of the theatres with world’s first sliding roof and ceiling with state of the art electric stage lighting.

It is also said that the theatre is haunted by a friendly ghost named as Federici who died after a performance of the opera, ‘Faust’. As an honour a seat in the third row dress circle is kept empty since it is regarded as a sign of good luck to see him in the theatre. His appearance has been witnessed by many staff in the theatre. This theatre’s grand Victorian style elegant foyer and stairway is compared to that of the Paris Opera. The theatre has a seating capacity of nearly 1500 with other modern facilities for the visitors as well. This placed is also used as the venue for Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Visitors also have the luxury of dinning in the Melba or Marriner rooms before they visit to see a musical production that takes place in the theatre. While Princess Theatre is the ideal place for a perfect evening of entertainment, visitors also have the luxury of entering into a perfect mood of relaxation at a Spa in Melbourne. One of the best spas would be Chuan Spa Melbourne.