State Theatre

The State Theatre is a multistorey theatre building on Market Street in Sydney's central business district. The facade displays Gothic elements with pointed arches and turrets, while the entrance halls spread across six floors and feature elaborate decorations.

Henry White designed the building, which opened in 1929 as a cinema and variety house. Construction was completed despite the onset of the Great Depression, allowing the venue to become a refuge for local audiences during the difficult years of the 1930s.

The name reflects its original purpose as the flagship cinema for the Union Theatre chain, with the lavish interior mirroring the movie palaces of the late 1920s. Today visitors find Empire-style details throughout the foyer, including marble columns and gilded plasterwork that create the sense of entering a royal palace.

The main entrance sits on Market Street near George Street in the city center. The building offers wheelchair-accessible routes, and the large auditorium provides seating for over 2,000 people across different sections.

A massive cut-crystal chandelier hangs over the audience in the main hall and was manufactured in the 1920s at a specialized factory. Only one other chandelier of this kind exists worldwide, making this piece one of the largest in its category.