HI Lighting played an integral role in the restoration of Adelaide’s iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre, a historic venue dating back to 1913 and renowned as the oldest continuously operating performance venue in Adelaide.

Cox Architecture led the revival project, restoring the theatre back to its grandeur carefully blending modern architecture with the preservation of cherished heritage elements. The $66 million renovation in 2019 transformed the theatre into a state-of-the-art facility boasting a close to 1,500 seating capacity spread across three levels, connected by two striking feature staircases. Backstage areas were expanded, including a rehearsal space equal in size to the main stage.

Every design decision was anchored in ensuring an exceptional patron experience. A significant aspect of achieving this was through a flexible and visually appealing lighting design intended to captivate and impress audiences. Throughout the venue, HaloFlex by Digilin was extensively used, seamlessly integrating with the fluid design concept envisioned by Cox Architecture. Particularly striking in the feature staircases, HaloFlex contours the underside and edges of the ceilings, contributing to a captivating and inviting ambiance with warm colour temperatures. Linea Light’s Bibok illuminates the main theatre walls with its captivating, staggered pattern, while Visionline’s VL16 adorns the ceiling, enhancing the theatrical experience.

Digilin’s specialist engineering capabilities were instrumental in developing a custom linear lighting system for backstage areas. This innovative solution features a unique linear strip with blue and white LEDs, integrated into the Surface 75 profile and controlled by a two-channel DALI driver. The system allows for seamless switching between high-output white light for general illumination and low-level blue light during performances, ensuring backstage operations run smoothly without disrupting ongoing shows.

“The Maj is truly a world class theatre, with state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology, the widest proscenium arch and deepest fly tower of any commercial theatre in Australia, and a rehearsal room the same size as the stage itself. The building has also been designed to allow for greater patron accessibility, bars and amenities on every level, plus stunning views of the Adelaide Hills and city surrounds from the upper levels.” – Adelaide Festival Centre.

Experience the wonders of this remarkable venue, delve into its rich history, and marvel at the incredible lighting with Adelaide Festival Centre’s Her Majesty’s Theatre Virtual Tour.

Project Team:

COX Architecture
Aurecon
Hansen Yunken
Schuler Shook
Niramar
Automate Now
David Sievers Photography