Forum Theatre

Forum Theatre stands at the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street, displaying Moorish architectural elements with minarets and a clock tower. The entrance area presents mosaic work and carved details that extend across the entire facade.

The building opened in 1929 as the State Theatre, offering seating for over 3,300 guests in its original cinema configuration. Decades later, the space was reconfigured for live events, reducing capacity to around 1,200 seats.

The venue draws visitors with its artificial night sky ceiling that displays stars and cloud effects inside the auditorium. This theatrical atmosphere regularly accompanies rock concerts and festival performances, where audiences gather beneath the simulated sky.

The entrance sits directly on Flinders Street, making access by public transport straightforward. Visitors should check whether specific events require additional security measures or entry times, as procedures can vary depending on the event.

Inside, a dual-console Wurlitzer organ was originally installed, one of the first of its kind west of Chicago. This instrument accompanied early silent film screenings and remains a noteworthy detail of the building's 1920s technical equipment.

Location: City of Melbourne

Inception: 1929

Official opening: 1929

Architectural style: Moorish Revival architecture

Operator: Marriner Group

Address: 154 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: https://forummelbourne.com.au

GPS coordinates: -37.81656,144.96947

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29