MOPA, formerly the Museum of Performing Arts, holds stories of Western Australian theatre in His Majesty's Theatre. It is not a freestanding museum with a large gallery open all day. The collection is partly online and partly displayed around a working theatre; a short tour is the practical way to see some of it.
| Visit detail | Arts and Culture Trust information |
|---|---|
| Place | His Majesty's Theatre, Perth |
| Short tour window | Monday–Friday, 11am–2pm |
| Tour | About 30 minutes, $5 per person on checked page |
| Collection | More than 40,000 catalogue items; only parts displayed on site |
Why the collection matters
The Arts and Culture Trust credits theatre historian Ivan King OAM with gathering programmes, photographs, clippings, scripts, scores and other evidence of performances at His Majesty's and across the state. An online catalogue can be as valuable as the displays if you are looking for a performer or production. A theatre tour gives context to the foyers and auditorium; it does not grant access to every archive room or backstage area.
Choose the right tour
The operator advertises a 30-minute $5 tour Monday to Friday between 11am and 2pm to see the theatre and some memorabilia. It also offers more specialised behind-the-scenes tours with separate booking arrangements. Check the current tour availability and price before setting out, especially on a performance or public-holiday day. The building is an active venue, and performance schedules can affect what you see.
If you need a step-free route or want to view a particular archive item, ask the theatre team about the exact access process. A catalogue result tells you an item exists, but it does not mean that the item is currently in the theatre display. For civic records rather than performance history, the City of Perth History Centre handles enquiries while closed to public visits. The photograph shows a theatre display in April 2026; its arrangement may change.
