His Majesty's Theatre has played a vital role in the cultural landscape of Western Australia for over a century. West Australian Opera values this immensely, so we will be sharing opera stories from His Majesty's Theatre in an effort to preserve this history.

Dr Hans Briner

In March 1946, a small group of enthusiasts, hungry to have opera firmly established in their city, met in the Adult Education Board library at 39 King Street, Perth. Among them were highly educated newcomers who were longing for the rich musical life they had known in pre-war Europe.

As a result of that meeting, West Australian Opera Society was founded by one of those immigrants, Dr Hans Briner.

The Society's first fully staged production was The Marriage of Figaro, done on a makeshift platform in Somerville Auditorium in January 1948. The four performances were met with surprise and approval.  

Yet despite that modest success, the Society was soon split with dissension. Dr Briner resigned and formed another group, Studio Opera, which presented The Magic Flute in the cavernous Capitol Theatre on William Street.

Fortunately the good Doctor returned to the Society as musical director for The Tales of Hoffmann, La Traviata and Die Fledermaus. All three were staged at His Majesty's Theatre between 1948 and 1949

The culturally deprived environment of the time is vividly revealed in this 1949 clipping from the afternoon newspaper, The Daily News.

Due to lack of support, West Australian Opera Society disbanded soon after a season of Don Pasquale at His Majesty's Theatre in 1950.

With his wife Lotte, Hans Briner remained deeply involved in Perth's operatic endeavours until his death in 1973. 

Ivan King OAM founded the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) at His Majesty’s Theatre in 2001. Ivan has acted, written and directed at major theatres and theatre-restaurants. He appeared in more than 50 stage productions at His Majesty’s Theatre, the Regal Theatre, The Playhouse Theatre and the Hole in the Wall Theatre. In 1984 he directed West Australian Opera's The Merry Widow.

Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) was opened in 2001 and set in the basement adjacent to the cabaret venue DownStairs at the Maj. The museum is a treasure trove of photographs, programmes, posters, press clippings, puppets, scrapbooks, sheet music, designs, recordings, scripts, scores and costumes. Constantly changing exhibitions celebrate Western Australia’s entertainment heritage, from the colony’s early days, through the Gold Rush, to the computerised present. All areas of performing arts are represented: opera, ballet, contemporary dance, musicals, drama, cabaret, vaudeville, revue, circus and stand-up comedy. MOPA is open Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm for locals, visitors and tour groups.