Iconic Victorian Live Music Venue & Cinema Up For Sale

Stalwart Castlemaine live music venue and cinema Theatre Royal has been entertaining patrons since 1854 but it is now on the look out for a new owner as the establishment is officially up for sale. 

Widely-held to be the longest continually operating theatre on Australian mainland, the Theatre Royal still hosts live music events on a weekly basis, as well as arthouse films and two annual film festivals. 

Acts that have performed at Theatre Royal in recent times include Courtney Barnett, Paul Dempsey and Marlon Williams.

The current leaseholder of the venue, Maggie Fooke, took over in August last year when the business operator moved on unexpectedly, but now she too has been forced to step away.

"I love the Theatre Royal. The more I'm there, the more I love her," Fooke said.

"This past year has been a whirlwind. I have taken on too much and I have to make choices. Running three businesses was never a good idea.

"My other love, Melbourne business Brooklyn Arts Hotel, needs me. I'm returning to enjoy being down there for the next few years. My regular guests would like me back and I'd certainly like to see them all again.

"The Theatre Royal needs new custodians who will care for her and take her into another stage."

The theatre is the current award holder of the Age Music Victoria 'Best Regional Live Venue' gong, which it won last year and in 2013.

Expressions of interest close at 4pm on Friday, 7 October. 

For further details about the sale, click here.