Located on Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia, Brisbane, the original building was built as a church hall in 1921. It was purchased by the St Lucia Progress Association and was known as the St Lucia Show Hall. In 1947 it was known as the Esquire Cinema, but in 1956 the property was sold and did not reopen as a theatre until 1958, when it became known as the Avalon. The University of Queensland purchased the property in 1962, and for the next thirty-three years supported many University cultural and theatrical activities. Films were screened at the theatre during University terms on Friday and Saturday nights when there were no live performances. The theatre was closed in 2004 due to the unsafe state of the building.|Both local and visiting groups performed at the Avalon Theatre, these included: Dramsoc (UQ's Dramatic Society), Scoop, QUMS, the College Gilbert & Sullivan Society, UQ SRC Review, Camerata Theatre, Young Yeti Theatre, Contemporary Arts Society, Architect's Review Group, University College Opera Society, Melbourne University Drama Company, Melbourne University Choral Society, Marlowe Society (Melbourne), Tin Alley Players (Melbourne), Trinity College, Queens College, Ormond College, Newman College, Conservatorium Opera School.