The Grand Electric
Image: Grand Electric courtyard
This cleverly repurposed 1930s building was originally the HQ for the NSW branch of the Australian Railway Union. With a spacious auditorium and handy location, the building’s potential as an entertainment venue was always evident and it was hired out for occasional theatre and other performances very early on.
It fully transitioned to a theatre in the 1980s when it became the popular fringe venue, the Performance Space and later, The Giant Dwarf. The building experienced a period of vacancy and neglect before theatre company, Strut & Fret moved in and completely refurbished it.
Mural artist, Max Elbourne was enlisted to paint the outside walls. He used the building history, theatre themes, vintage posters and advertising, and Australian nostalgia as inspiration for his designs.
The theatre’s interior also has a vintage feel. It has been outfitted in the style of a spiegeltent to complement the style of shows presented by Strut & Fret.
The Grand Electric has rustic, old world charm. An unpretentious street entry leads you to a small courtyard where you can enjoy a drink and admire the fantastic artwork before entering the unpretentious auditorium with wooden floors, framed mirrors on the walls, dual staircase at the rear leading up to a balcony and a positive charge in the air.
