The Criterion Theatre in Sydney, Australia was built in 1886 by architect George R Johnson

George Raymond Johnson

George Raymond Johnson was an English architect who produced several notable buildings in the Australian colonies...

 on the south east corner of Pitt

Pitt Street, Sydney

Pitt Street is a major street in central Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The street runs through the entire city centre from Circular Quay in the north to Waterloo, although today's street is in two disjointed sections after a substantial stretch of it was removed to make way for Sydney's...

 and Park

Park Street, Sydney

Park Street in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia is a major cross street in the centre of the Central Business District. It runs from George Street in the west to College Street in the east, where it becomes William Street.-Description:...

 streets. The Criterion Theatre, or 'Cri', was Sydney's most famous intimate playhouse at the time. With a Neo-Renaissance

Neo-Renaissance

Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...

exterior and a capacity of approximately 991 seats, the Criterion was used for drama performances for almost 50 years. Closing in 1935, it was demolished to facilitate the widening of Park Street. The Criterion Hotel was built on the narrow strip of land remaining, a legacy of one of Sydney's earliest theatres.

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