Empire Theatre, Toowoomba

The Empire Theatre
Empire Theatre facade
Location	56 & 56A Neil Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	27°33′47″S 151°57′21″E / 27.5631°S 151.9558°E / -27.5631; 151.9558
Design period	1900–1914 (early 20th century)
Built	1911–1990s
Architect	Hall & Phillips
Architectural style(s)	Art Deco
Owner	Toowoomba Regional Council
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name	Empire Theatre (former), Empire Theatre
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	31 May 1994
Reference no.	600978
Significant period	1911, 1933, 1973–74, c. 1997 (fabric) 1911–1971 (social)
Significant components	dress circle, foyer – dress circle, proscenium arch, foyer – entrance, stage/sound shell, auditorium
Builders	Kell & Rigby
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Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Other information
Seating capacity	1,561[1]

The Empire Theatre is a heritage-listed theatre at 56 & 56A Neil Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 May 1994.^[2]

The design of the building is art deco in style, reminiscent of the "glory days" of Hollywood with palm trees framing the exterior and two plinth-mounted fish tanks in the metallic gold and bronze of the entry foyer. One of the Empire Theatre's most striking features is the grand proscenium arch.

The stage is over 13 metres (43 ft) wide and 12 metres (39 ft) deep with approximately 20 metres (66 ft) to the grid and more than 15 metres (49 ft) of wing space combined. It has 80 fly lines including 7 overhead lighting bars and an orchestra pit that can be hydraulically raised to audience floor or stage thrust levels.