Sitting at the corner of Russell and Flinders Street is this exhausted gargantuan theatre built in 1928. Its exotic arabesque dome is struggling to recreate the Moorish fantasy that once dazzled the city and hypnotized the town into the Aladdin’s magic carpet dream. The romantic clock tower illuminates a faint charm that used to capture the heart of millions. With its tired and husky voice, the minarets and their Roman-style gargoyles obstinately remind the modern Melbournians of its glorious past and its fading sensational history, yelling for its need to be remembered and cherished.
When the
building was unveiled in 1929, the public gasped in uncontrollable amazement.
It was a sight never been seen before in this young city of Melbourne. The
enthusiasms of the crowds flooded the entire Flinders Street; Throngs of
onlookers pushed their ways to behold the glory of this magnificent theatre.
Police reinforcements were summoned to make sufficient space for the lucky
patrons, who would later spend the next couple of days (if not weeks) recounting
to their families, friends and acquaintances the outlandish interior of the twinkling
canopied ceiling and the numerous lavish ornamentations.
For the next
few decades, the Forum Theatre served its faithful role as an impressive venue
for lovers of motion pictures, and a proud keeper of the Wurlitzer 270- the
largest organ in the world outside of the United States. The glorious theatre
enjoyed its unrivalled stardom till around 1950s, when the public interest in
live music program slowly diminished. The massive organ was removed from the
theatre and subsequently re-sold to the Morabbin City Council. The theatre was
split into two separate cinemas in the 1960s to emulate the American trend of
multi-screen cinema. The cinema reached the end of its celebrated status, and
was officially closed in 1985.
In 1985, the
Forum had an unexpected turn of fate and adopted an entirely new function as
the headquarters of a Pentecostal church. Another decade passed, and we saw the
very much rundown building being put on sale again as a result of the division
of church due to doctrinal split. The Forum was restored in the 1990s and began
its new role as the prestigious venue for a variety of performances - live
music, comedy and films.
Today, the
building is used as an extravagant concert venue by many renowned artists,
including international superstars such as Madonna and Katy Perry.
Yes, the
unkempt appearance and the fatigue exterior of the theatre are testament to the
building’s long-gone splendor, and its desperate need for an urgent makeover. But
what hidden beneath the weary façade is a gorgeous masterpiece that still
retains its mysterious appeal, and an undeniable marvellousness that will continue reminding us of the once-upon-a-time Mediterranean dream that had liven up the
young Melbourne city.
Location
150-162 Flinders
Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
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