Embassy Ballroom, Perth

Coordinates: 31°57′20″S 115°51′23″E / 31.955514°S 115.856398°E / -31.955514; 115.856398
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The Embassy building is the lower building to the right of the Capitol Theatre
Current view of the site of the ballroom from south west, up William Street

Embassy Ballroom was a dance hall on the corner of William Street and The Esplanade in Perth, Western Australia that operated between 1928 and 1982.

History[edit]

It was opened originally as the Temple Court Cabaret and Tea Rooms.[1][2][3] The name Temple Court continued after the name change, with the building being known as Temple Court, and the ballroom itself being known as the Embassy. When established in 1928 it was across the road from White City and next door to the Capitol Theatre.[4]

The Embassy had, at stages of its operation, its own cabaret events, with orchestra and dancers, called the "Temple court ballet", as well as a band.[5] The floor was 12,000 square feet of jarrah timber.[6]

In the 1930s, most large department stores in Perth had staff balls at the Embassy.[7][8][9] The building was affected by fire in 1933,[10] but was repaired and re-opened the following year.[11]

It was a well used venue during and after the Second World War.[12] It continued to be a venue for a range of events well into the 1950s.[13]

It was closed 26 November 1982 and demolished soon after.[14]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ King, Ivan (2017) Embassy Ballroom in Burning Questions p.16, The West Australian, 3 March 2017
  2. ^ "Temple Court Cabaret". The West Australian. Vol. XLV, no. 8, 331. 1 March 1929. p. 18. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Temple Court Cabaret". The Daily News. Vol. XLVIII, no. 16, 778 (Home Final ed.). Western Australia. 8 February 1929. p. 12. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Temple Court Cabaret". The West Australian. Vol. XLIV, no. 8, 269. 18 December 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Illustrations Ltd (1900), Embassy Ballroom Band, retrieved 4 March 2017
  6. ^ King (2017)
  7. ^ HRRC (1934), Coles staff dance at the Embassy Ballroom, 24 August 1934, retrieved 4 March 2017
  8. ^ HRRC (1934), Boans' staff ball at the Embassy Ballroom, retrieved 4 March 2017
  9. ^ HRRC (1934), Boans' staff ball, retrieved 4 March 2017
  10. ^ "Fire at Temple Court". Kalgoorlie Miner. Vol. 39, no. 9840. Western Australia. 23 September 1933. p. 5. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Embassy re-opens". The Mirror. Vol. 12, no. 651. Western Australia. 14 April 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Second 28th Battalion". The West Australian. Vol. 61, no. 18, 449. 29 August 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Queue sits at door for tickets". The West Australian. Vol. 70, no. 21, 141. 26 April 1954. p. 11. Retrieved 4 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ King, Ivan (2017) "Embassy Ballroom" in Burning Questions p.16, The West Australian, 3 March 2017

31°57′20″S 115°51′23″E / 31.955514°S 115.856398°E / -31.955514; 115.856398