Sometimes the projects we take on are never seen by an audience, never appreciated by the general public, yet are pivotal for the staff and crew negotiating the backstage mechanics of putting on a large-scale show.
The loading dock at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, located on Little Bourke St, is one of Australia's trickiest to load in and out of.
To address this long-standing challenge, FORM Imagination was engaged to design and fabricate a custom dock lift platform that would streamline backstage logistics and improve safety and efficiency for incoming productions. The success of this project hinged on close collaboration between the venue, our internal departments, and a network of trusted external contractors.
From the outset, the project demanded precision and adaptability. Our 3D venue scanning team captured the existing dock geometry in high detail, allowing our drafting and engineering departments to model a solution that would integrate seamlessly with the heritage-listed structure. The design had to accommodate tight spatial constraints while supporting heavy loads and frequent use.

Once the design was approved, fabrication began in our steel shop, where cutting and welding teams worked to exacting tolerances. Every component was built with durability and ease of installation in mind, minimizing disruption to the theatre’s operations. On-site coordination was led by project manager Ben, whose oversight ensured that installation progressed smoothly despite the logistical complexities of working in a live venue.
The final result is a robust, low-profile lift platform that enhances backstage access without compromising the theatre’s architectural integrity.

A letter from the client-

Good afternoon, Ben, and Nathan.
We had the first performance of MJ last night, and all went well... I can honestly say that the time saved during bump-in, helped in various ways with the rest of the bump-in and rehearsals. A big part of it is thanks to FORM Imagination, and the work you’ve put in to help accomplish what nobody was willing, or able, to achieve in The Maj’s history. The new Scene Dock Lift not only helps make the bump-in and bump-out so much more efficient, but more importantly, safer than ever before.

I want to send you a note to express our sincere gratitude. From the initial conversation to the design phase, all the way to the installation of the lift itself. Your presence, patience, understanding, and willingness to go above and beyond for us, does not go unnoticed. I can honestly say, we couldn’t have done it without you. The new Scene Dock Lift has taken Her Majesty’s Theatre to the pinnacle of theatre operations in Australia, and I believe we’ll be an example to the other arts venues, leading them in a similar direction.

I also want to thank your team, Peter, Joshua, Nick, Mark, Bianca, Robin, and Shauna. You are all masters in your craft.

Many thanks again, and kind regards,
Quan Tu