Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 03-9663 5454;
www.imaxmelbourne.com.au
; Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne St, Carlton; Tourist Shuttle,
86, 96)
Animal and adventure films in 3D screen on a grand scale here, with movies spe-
cially made for these giant screens.
CINEMA
Moonlight Cinema
(
www.moonlight.com.au
;
Gate D, Birdwood Ave, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne; 8)
Melbourne's ori-
ginal outdoor cinema, with the option of 'Gold Grass' tickets that include a glass of wine
and a reserved bean-bag bed.
St Kilda Open Air Cinema
(
www.openaircinemas.com.au
;
South Beach Reserve, Jacka Blvd, St Kilda; 1-22 Dec; 79, 96)
Cult classics
by the sea. Rents out blankets, deckchairs ($4) and bean-bag lounges ($7).
CINEMA
CURTAINS UP
Blockbuster musicals have the good fortune of playing in Melbourne's graceful old city-centre theatres:
St; 11, 31, 48, 112) The old dame dates back to the 1830s, with the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, sitting
atop the facade, imbuing the theatre with classical gravitas. The theatre now hosts Melbourne Opera perfro-
mances and the International Comedy Festival. Also a Ticketmaster box office.
03-9299 9800;
www.marrinertheatres.com.au
;
240 Ex-
hibition St;
86, 96) This midsize 1920s Spanish-style venue is dedicated to comedy, theatre and musicals.
St; 86, 96) On the outside Her Maj is red-brick Second Empire; on the inside it's 1930s Moderne. It's been
the home of musicals and comedy since 1880 and is still going strong.
www.marrinertheatres.com.au
;
163 Spring St; 86, 96) This gilded Second Empire beauty has a long and col-
ourful history. It's reputed to have a resident ghost - that of singer Federici, who died as he descended through the
stage trap in 1888 after playing Mephistopheles in the opera
Faust
. These days, shows range from
Phantom of
the Opera
to
Mary Poppins
.
St; 11, 31, 48, 112) The opulent Regent, a rococo picture palace, was considered one of the most lavish
theatres of its kind when it was built in 1929 with the advent of the talkies. Today it's used for blockbuster stage
shows - still a fabulous opportunity to experience its elegant grandeur.
Theatre
