1888 John Graham established Graham's Family Hotel in Stanley Street, South Brisbane and held the licence until 1896, when it was transferred to his son-in-law, who changed the name to O'Connor's Hotel. There is a report in 1903 of O'Connor's Hotel having gardens on an extensive site and including a theatre called the Cremorne Gardens: "There is a great area of ground, and every part of it is judiciously utilised. Between the frontages in Stanley and Grey streets are carpets of green grass and a wealth of tropical foliage, amidst which are scattered rustic seats and gas jets. ... There is even a theatre, known as Cremorne Gardens, used occasionally for public entertainments, and frequently for social gatherings." Despite this report of a "theatre" existing in 1903, the historical sources cited in the next section all agree that the theatre was built in 1911. However, it is clear that a venue called Cremorne Gardens which included garden features was used for public performances for some years prior to 1911. In 1905, J.D. O'Connor built a home, Cremorne, Hamilton, which appears to have been named after this part of his business. The house survives today as a heritage-listed villa at 34 Mullens Street, Hamilton, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Cremorne Gardens at O'Connor's Hotel continued as a concert and light theatre venue until 1909 when J.D. O'Connor retired and sold his business. The theatre is built Brisbane's Cremorne Theatre (originally known as the Cremorne Gardens) was built in 1911 by variety entrepreneur Edward Branscombe as part of an Australia-wide circuit of open-air theatres designed especially for his Dandies costume comedy companies. Originally an open-air structure with seating for about 1,800, the Cremorne Theatre opened on 5 August 1911 with a light program of music and sketches under the title "The Dandies." The newspaper, The Brisbane Courier, reported:"...the goodly number of patrons present noted with satisfaction this well arranged auditorium, the whole place, upon which the title of 'Cremorne' has been bestowed, wearing an air of neatness, brightness and comfort." Eight months later, a company, The Dandies Limited, was floated to buy the "Cremorne Gardens" site, which had an 88-foot frontage to Stanley Street, and also the theatrical business. The Prospectus claimed that £5,000 of improvements had been made to the property. Brisbane's subtropical climate meant that the theatre's use was frequently interrupted by rainfall and it was closed temporarily in