Princess Theatre Melbourne Suburban Icon Poster
The crown jewel of Spring Street — with its French-inspired façade and Second Empire swagger — the Princess Theatre has been the heart of Melbourne drama (both on and off the stage) for nearly 170 years.
Its story begins in 1854 as an equestrian amphitheatre, before theatre impresario George Coppin transformed it into a venue for opera, scandal, and spectacle. But it wasn’t until 1886 that the Princess became truly grand. Designed by William Pitt, the rebuilt theatre boasted Parisian marble staircases, retractable roof (a world first), and electric stage lighting that dazzled the crowds.
The New Princess opened with The Mikado, but the most haunting performance came shortly after. In 1888, Frederick Federici — playing Mephistopheles in Faust — died of a heart attack at the end of the play, mid-descent through a trapdoor into ‘hell’. Now his spectre is rumoured to have been spotted in the Princess ever since.
By the 1980s, the theatre had once again faded — until a meticulous restoration in 1989 brought it roaring back with Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. The ghosts of grandeur (and Federici) linger to this day.
Relive your standing ovation moment with a print from our Vintage Suburban Icons Collection, where dreams are staged and spirits never miss their cue — a tribute to Melbourne’s most magical theatre.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
The crown jewel of Spring Street — with its French-inspired façade and Second Empire swagger — the Princess Theatre has been the heart of Melbourne drama (both on and off the stage) for nearly 170 years.
Its story begins in 1854 as an equestrian amphitheatre, before theatre impresario George Coppin transformed it into a venue for opera, scandal, and spectacle. But it wasn’t until 1886 that the Princess became truly grand. Designed by William Pitt, the rebuilt theatre boasted Parisian marble staircases, retractable roof (a world first), and electric stage lighting that dazzled the crowds.
The New Princess opened with The Mikado, but the most haunting performance came shortly after. In 1888, Frederick Federici — playing Mephistopheles in Faust — died of a heart attack at the end of the play, mid-descent through a trapdoor into ‘hell’. Now his spectre is rumoured to have been spotted in the Princess ever since.
By the 1980s, the theatre had once again faded — until a meticulous restoration in 1989 brought it roaring back with Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. The ghosts of grandeur (and Federici) linger to this day.
Relive your standing ovation moment with a print from our Vintage Suburban Icons Collection, where dreams are staged and spirits never miss their cue — a tribute to Melbourne’s most magical theatre.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
The crown jewel of Spring Street — with its French-inspired façade and Second Empire swagger — the Princess Theatre has been the heart of Melbourne drama (both on and off the stage) for nearly 170 years.
Its story begins in 1854 as an equestrian amphitheatre, before theatre impresario George Coppin transformed it into a venue for opera, scandal, and spectacle. But it wasn’t until 1886 that the Princess became truly grand. Designed by William Pitt, the rebuilt theatre boasted Parisian marble staircases, retractable roof (a world first), and electric stage lighting that dazzled the crowds.
The New Princess opened with The Mikado, but the most haunting performance came shortly after. In 1888, Frederick Federici — playing Mephistopheles in Faust — died of a heart attack at the end of the play, mid-descent through a trapdoor into ‘hell’. Now his spectre is rumoured to have been spotted in the Princess ever since.
By the 1980s, the theatre had once again faded — until a meticulous restoration in 1989 brought it roaring back with Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. The ghosts of grandeur (and Federici) linger to this day.
Relive your standing ovation moment with a print from our Vintage Suburban Icons Collection, where dreams are staged and spirits never miss their cue — a tribute to Melbourne’s most magical theatre.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
© 2025 Historic Prints / Suburban Icons, part of The Brand Garage, Melbourne. All images and intellectual property remain the property of Historic Prints. No part of this artwork may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior permission.
