The property was the site of the "Old Englyshe Fayre", an open area entertainment venue, built by Court, Butcher and Co (Elsie Court and Thomas W. Butcher) in 1897. The foundation stone for the theatre was laid by the owner, James Gallop, on 20 February 1904. Tenders for the project had been let in January of that year and when the foundation ceremony was performed, James Brownlie, the contractor, had completed the foundations and commenced the brickwork for all external walls. The project consisted of the theatre and five shops on a site adjoining the Freemasons Hotel, (now Sail and Anchor Hotel) at that time also owned by James Gallop. Entry was between shops into a foyer on ground floor, to stalls in the auditorium and a staircase led to supper rooms over the shops, accessible to the dress circle, with a balcony over the pavement.
