The Princess Theatre is the oldest theatre on mainland Australia, and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Constructed in 1888 in Annerley Road, Woolloongabba, the Princess Theatre is designed to an ornate Italianate style.
There were few productions staged in the 1890s and appropriately a clothing business was established in the dress circle during this period. It was still used periodically as a theatre but it is best remembered for film screenings which occurred after 1912.
Crowds would gather to watch the new spectacle of outdoor advertising as slides were projected onto the wall of the theatre. Inside, the Princess continued to screen silent movies combined with community singing and small band music during intervals.
During the war the theatre was used as the rehearsal and administrative centre of the entertainment unit for the American forces. By 1986 Twelfth Night Theatre were tenants and live theatre had returned to the Princess. The theatre remained as a venue for music and theatre thanks to the work of Community Princess Revival Ass. Inc.
This group was formed in 1999 when it became apparent that the Princess was in grave danger of being developed into a medical centre. After Rock and Roll Circus moved out, CPR successfully negotiated temporary management rights for the theatre in early 1999.
In recent years, the Princess Theatre has played host to numerous acts including The Whitlams and Evermore.
Metro Central Community Church officially took over the building in February 2001.
