Working at Roxy for 4 years, I had the pleasure to “get to know” this extraordinary building. I say “get to know” because this is more than just a building. You can almost feel that it has “presence”. That it is watching over you as you watch over “her”. “The Grand Lady” as some patrons refered to it.
A large courtyard between the gates and the front enterance is one of the unique features that distinguish Roxy from other cinemas in Australia. Cuddled by two wing-buildings that reach the gates, this area is an ideal place to hang around before a movie.
The main foyer has changed quite a lot from the original. I, of course did not see the original foyer of Roxy, but many stories from patrons and workers paint an amazing picture. Patrons walking through the main enterance were greeted by a ticket box in the centre of the foyer. The wall behind the ticket box, where now stands the Candy Bar, featured a cascading fountain.
Above the ticket box, a masterfully built wooden ceiling from which hangs a chandelier.
In the far corner are entrances to Cinema 2 and Cinema 3. Two of the smaller theatres. In between these theatres the bio area (projection room) for both. Each theatre holds (from memory) ~250 seats.
On the left and right from the centre of the foyer, stairs now lead to the main theatre, Cinema 1, and the lounge area. Walls around the frame of the entry point of the stairs, are ordained with beautifull mozaic-patterned tiles.
The lounge area itself, is the same size as the foyer, except that a large piece of the centre is cut-out exposing the foyer below.
Cinema 1 holds ~550 seats which climb, in rows, approximatly 20 metres up to the back wall. Behind that wall is the Cinema 1 bio box (projection room).
The scren itself is LARGE (I do not remember the exact measurements). In front of it hangs a beautiful curtain. It too is a BIG in size, while it’s deep red colour is at it’s best when illuminated by a number of spot lights on the walls of the theatre.
The screen and curtain are actually on a stage which measures about the width of the theatre and is about 15 metres deep into what is the first row os seats.
Behind the screen (and the speakers) there is now a storage area. In the early days of the cinema this areas was still part of the theatre while the screen was deeper, right against the back wall of the now storage area.
Actually, a lot has changed. The two bottom cinemas where actually the floor level of the main theatre. While Cinema 1, was a balcony. Together, they formed what used to be the 1900+ seat Grand Theatre.
Details and stories are plentyfull. Some I’ll keep to myself. Others I’ll post some other time. All-in-all, it was a sad day when Roxy closed. I will never forget “her”.
Working at Roxy for 4 years, I had the pleasure to “get to know” this extraordinary building. I say “get to know” because this is more than just a building. You can almost feel that it has “presence”. That it is watching over you as you watch over “her”. “The Grand Lady” as some patrons refered to it.
A large courtyard between the gates and the front enterance is one of the unique features that distinguish Roxy from other cinemas in Australia. Cuddled by two wing-buildings that reach the gates, this area is an ideal place to hang around before a movie.
The main foyer has changed quite a lot from the original. I, of course did not see the original foyer of Roxy, but many stories from patrons and workers paint an amazing picture. Patrons walking through the main enterance were greeted by a ticket box in the centre of the foyer. The wall behind the ticket box, where now stands the Candy Bar, featured a cascading fountain.
Above the ticket box, a masterfully built wooden ceiling from which hangs a chandelier.
In the far corner are entrances to Cinema 2 and Cinema 3. Two of the smaller theatres. In between these theatres the bio area (projection room) for both. Each theatre holds (from memory) ~250 seats.
On the left and right from the centre of the foyer, stairs now lead to the main theatre, Cinema 1, and the lounge area. Walls around the frame of the entry point of the stairs, are ordained with beautifull mozaic-patterned tiles.
The lounge area itself, is the same size as the foyer, except that a large piece of the centre is cut-out exposing the foyer below.
Cinema 1 holds ~550 seats which climb, in rows, approximatly 20 metres up to the back wall. Behind that wall is the Cinema 1 bio box (projection room).
The scren itself is LARGE (I do not remember the exact measurements). In front of it hangs a beautiful curtain. It too is a BIG in size, while it’s deep red colour is at it’s best when illuminated by a number of spot lights on the walls of the theatre.
The screen and curtain are actually on a stage which measures about the width of the theatre and is about 15 metres deep into what is the first row os seats.
Behind the screen (and the speakers) there is now a storage area. In the early days of the cinema this areas was still part of the theatre while the screen was deeper, right against the back wall of the now storage area.
Actually, a lot has changed. The two bottom cinemas where actually the floor level of the main theatre. While Cinema 1, was a balcony. Together, they formed what used to be the 1900+ seat Grand Theatre.
Details and stories are plentyfull. Some I’ll keep to myself. Others I’ll post some other time. All-in-all, it was a sad day when Roxy closed. I will never forget “her”.