Step inside Toowoomba's answer to the Sydney Opera House - ABC Local

The Empire Theatre is arguably the most famous building in Toowoomba. Originally built in 1911, it was redesigned in 1933 with an art deco theme. After falling into ruin it was restored in the late 1990s. Local architect, and theatre volunteer, Richard Chiverrell says the theatre is as important to the garden city as the Opera House is to Sydney. He says there are five things every visitor should take notice of when visiting the theatre. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

1. The proscenium. "I still get a feeling of pure excitement when I walk into the auditorium," Mr Chiverrell said. "The proscenium [the arch surrounding the stage] says to me 'we're going to see something exciting'. Traditionally it remains red, but it is lit by LED lights so it can be any colour, and has been lit with different colours depending on the show. The other beauty to me is once you cross that proscenium, everything is modern." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

2. Art deco design. "The main foyer and auditorium define art deco 1933 design," Mr Chiverrell said. "But remember this is Toowoomba, so the art deco style may have been modified and 'conservatised' from the original art deco of Europe. That happened everywhere. Each place seems to put its own little trademarks on it." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

3. The original external theatre wall from 1911. The brick wall next to the bar is one of few remains of the pre-1933 theatre. Following extensions in 1996 it is now an interior wall, but kept in original condition. "The use of colours and style and sky lighting highlights the wall," said Mr Chiverrell. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

4. The 'space between the spaces'. Mr Chiverrell says some of the most outstanding architectural elements have been designed to attract little attention. The Empire Theatre complex incorporates a church built in the 1800s next to the main theatre from the 1900s. "The church has a gothic style and the theatre has an art deco style," Richard Chiverrell said. "You can't blend those two styles. But they've built a modern join that reflects both, but doesn't make the two buildings fight with each other." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

5. The palm trees. "I think they are 'the touch'," Mr Chiverrell said. "Back in the 1950s palm trees were all throughout Brisbane before it became 'the city'. So the palm tree harkens back to yet another era." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)

Richard Chiverrell describes the Empire Theatre as a 'living' space.

"It may have gone through different eras, but it's important not to see it as a museum of 1911 or 1933," he said.

"Everything here works as a modern theatre. Because it is a modern theatre."