Having been hidden behind a facade for around 50 years, an old theatre in the heart of Hobart has become visible once again.
His Majesty’s Theatre, also known as ‘The Bug House’, on Liverpool Street was unveiled after years of being covered up on Sunday morning.
The building opened in January 1911 with the comic opera “The Runaway Girl” and accommodated dozens across its orchestra stalls and dress circle levels.
According to archives, His Majesty’s Theatre transitioned into a cinema as part of Spencer’s Pictures chain in 1912 and was subsequently acquired by Union Theatres in 1919.
The theatre closed its doors in 1961 and, by 1970, had been transformed into a clothing store.
Contractors were observed removing the metal cladding from the exterior on Sunday morning for reasons that remain unclear, with many social media users reminiscing about its history.
“The old “Bug House,” Saturday afternoon black and white serials, “Tarzan. King of the jungle with his companion Cheetah the monkey. The first Supermán Movies, baggy tights and cape wearing the big “S” in case he forgot who he was,” one person said.
“Back row mayhem with Jaffa’s and half eaten ice cream cones flying through the air, who knows where they landed … Those were the days.”
Another said the discovery was “beautiful”.
“This is our history that needs to remain intact,” she said.
