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Regent Theatre

Brisbane, Queensland

167 Queen Street

, Brisbane, Queensland 4000 Australia

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Multiplex (4 Screen)
Style:	Gothic Revival

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	2600
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Richard Gailey Jnr., Charles Neville Hollinshed
Firm:	Unknown

Vintage interior view of the Regent Theatre

Photo courtesy of KinoCQ/Australian Cinema and Theatre Society

The newest addition to the Hoyts Theatres chain was the Brisbane Regent Theatre, which opened on November 8, 1929. It was designed for both films and live productions which followed the trend for similar buildings of that era. It was the first of the lavish American-styled picture palaces to be built in Queensland. It was an exhuberant mixture of Gothic and Empire period styles. The narrow black marble entrance hall with decorated barrel-vaulted ceiling and friezes was only a prelude to the stunning foyer reminiscent of a medieval chapel where the arched ceiling murals were richly depicted in 13th century scenes. The immense white Queensland marble staircase which led to the mezzanine foyer was impressive. The workmanship was sumptuous.

Highlights in the auditorium were an elliptical dome in the main ceiling, chandelier, ornate proscenium arch, stage curtains, boxes, candelabra, orchestra pit and WurliTzer organ. The premiere entertainment program featured 'gorgeous stage spectacles'. The movies included the first Fox talkie revue "Fox Movietone Follies of 1929". Music from classical to jazz was provided by the Regent's Grand Concert Orchestra. Until 1978 when renovations were made, an auditorium existed which had a capacity for 2,600.

Sadly, the magnificent auditorium was demolished and was replaced by a four-screen cinema complex of which Cinema One was decorated similarly to the earlier theme. The original 1929-era front of house and main foyers still exist, today as an entrance to the plain cinemas which continue to operate for the time being.

In February 2008, plans were put forward to close the Regent Theatre, retaining the heritage listed facade and main foyers which would become an entrance to a new office tower block, to be built on the site of the auditoriums.

Greater Union Event Theatres closed the Regent Theatre on 14th June 2010 with "Titanic", "Casablanca" and "Sex in the City" being three of the final films screened.

Contributed by KinoCQ/Australian Cinema And Theatre Society

YOUR COMMENTS

The demented bastardisation of this astonishing gothic wonder in 1978 was a head shaking event second only to the Sydney Regent demolition. this Brisbane Regent was the second most spectacular of all The Regents, so of course it had to be ruined. I saw ROLLERBALL there in late 1975. It had cane backed seats for cool comfort. The foyer which thankfully survived the idiotic 'fixing' is still today an awesome sight to encounter and is similar to the gorgeous Melbourne Regent - the best of them all and lovingly operated as a live venue. At the time just before the Brisbane auditorium demolition, there was even press pieces about how the wreckers came in during the night awith chainsaws and vandalised the interior to such an extent, the 'developers' claimed it was now past saving !! One photo showed some galoot with his chainsaw hacking his way gleeefully through the side balconies, reducing pristing gothic decor to chips. Later I saw JEWEL OF THE NILE or something in one of the new cinemas which of course looked like a supermarket with seats. The one 400 seat cinema kept in the Regent style is an insult to the glorious and very useful 2600 seat masterpiece that was there. Paul Brennan ptb@bigpond.net.au

posted by paulb on Jan 16, 2004 at 6:51pm

Sometime in the early eighties a man let off many rounds from a shotgun in the foyer. A worker was injured i beleive. there are still bullet holes in the ceiling mural to this day. Wheather it is the original mural or not i am not sure.

posted by nath on Jan 29, 2004 at 8:05pm

It would be; the mural was the original from the 20s and cleaned for the 'revovation'. It wasn't ever altered, just steam cleaned. Maybe this person was not happy about the changes, or had realised the key to helping was vandalism.

posted by paulb on Jan 29, 2004 at 8:46pm

I was once an employee of the Regent,Brisbane. I worked there in projection over 30 years ago. I have many happy memories of the place and I have not bothered much after it was bastardised in 1980.
At least that did keep the foyers. The incident with the shotgun took place in the early 1970's I think.
The Regent theatre seated 2,583 and was designed by Charles Hollinshead,with Aaron Bolot and Richrd Gailey. It was one of Australia's grandest theatres.

BRISBANE REGENT WURLITZER GOES BACK TO BRISBANE !!!
The 3 manual 15 rank Wurlitzer organ which was housed in the Brisbane Regent theatre from 1929 to 1964,is being returned to that city. It is apparently being installed in a new arts complex on Brisbane's Southbank. The organ was sold in 1964 to the late Dr. King of Lawson.(N.S.W.). Dr. King passed away in September,2002 and the organ was sold and removed from the home in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. The organ is in remarkable condition.

posted by savoy on Apr 11, 2004 at 2:11am

The proscenium of the Plaza Theatre,Laurieton.(north coast of N.S.W.)has utilised salvaged elements from the Regent,Brisbane. The plaques in the proscenium which depict Roman scenes,came originally from the great ceiling dome of the Regent Theatre.

posted by savoy on Apr 11, 2004 at 2:15am

The Regent Theatre Brisbane, was always my favourite cinema. I saw many films there during the 60's and 70's, often just for the chance to sit in such a grand Palace for 2 hours. It's demolition in 1980 by the Dean Brothers is Brisbane's greatest architectural loss. Even though the foyer has survived, it only helps to remind one of what was once beyond that staircase. Within a few years of the Regent's "conversion", the rest of Brisbane's Picture Palace theatres were gone, "Her Majesty's" (originally the Brisbane Opera House built 1886) destroyed to make way for a shopping centre, The Wintergarden theatre, The George, all gone. After this incredible mayhem of destruction, Brisbane was left without any major theatres, with the resurgence of stage musicals, a Government structure, resembling a huge concrete shoebox was built to replace the amazing structures that had once graced Brisbane's streets.

posted by mark on Sep 11, 2004 at 11:50pm

I was fortunate in the 1960's to have a private view of the Regent before opening time one Saturday and managed to get a folio of good colour pictures of the interior- Gothic foyer, upstairs mezzanine lounge and of course the auditorium.
I had moved abroard by the time of the wrecking of the auditorium so thankfully only have memories of how wonderful it used to be!
I understand it is the only surviver of the city movie theatres, albeit in a reduced way, too bad it could not have been preserved as is the case with the Melbourne Regent.

posted by sp2 on Sep 18, 2004 at 10:52am

sp2 I would love scans of your photos. If this is at all possible please let me know. I have collected as many pictures of the interior as I can, but most are very poor quality. They are not for a website, just for memories sake, I'm a Queenslander. ozmarky@bigpond.net.au

posted by mark on Jan 31, 2005 at 7:38pm

paulb
if you read this could you please contact me email sunsmart @picknowl.com.au in reference to the Sydney Regent
Regards Paul N
South Aust

posted by paulnutter on Nov 19, 2005 at 1:09am

Mark, I have emailed you regards to the Brisbane Regent. Would like please repond.
Regards Paul

posted by paulnutter on Nov 19, 2005 at 1:20am

Here are some current views of the Gothic foyer, all that remains internally of the the original magnificent Regent Theatre, Brisbane:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464841635/464841635vPJert
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464842229/464842229zxMgMX
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464842666/464842666RuaPtC
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464842611/464842611uKExYq
http://communuty.webshots.com/photo/464842908/464842908bopLrG
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464842805/464842805FWccYm
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464841929/464841929Rekrtb

posted by KenRoe on Jan 14, 2006 at 1:22pm

OOOoops, I messed up on the 3rd from bottom link:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/464842908/464842908bopLrG

posted by KenRoe on Jan 14, 2006 at 1:27pm

I have 44 pictures of the theatre's interior, including the original auditorium and stalls, in a zip file if anyone is interested. ozmarky@bigpond.net.au

posted by OzMarky on Mar 27, 2007 at 10:32pm

Rumours once again abound about the demise of the Regent!!!!!!
Allegedly, the plan is to retain the heritage foyers (at this stage) and demolish the cinema complex in favour of a hotel complex. Interesting, when you consider it adjoins the site of the former Alberts/Metro.

Makes you think about the forward planning of the property owners. First the Hoyts/Greater Union Brisbane 'merger' places the Regent in the hands of the operators of the Albert cinemas. Which leisure/hospitality company/family runs both cinemas and hotel properties....
Moral of the story, enjoy the Regent now while it is still there.
Candy bar staff regularly recommend patrons go up the road to the Myer Centre :(

posted by barth on Aug 8, 2007 at 5:36am

Thank you for that info barth!
I personally don't care if they build a hotel. The Regent is only a foyer, the theatre was destroyed in 1978, what was built to replace the auditorium deserves to be destroyed, it's a travesty. I stopped supporting Hoyts after they showed no respect for a landmark. As a hotel at least the foyer will lead to something other than the hideous cinemas it presently does. Basically, if you are interested in heritage, you don't visit Brisbane, it has no heart or soul. The only major Victorian era building is a casino, kind of says it all. If you want to see majestic theatres go to Melbourne and Adelaide, Brisbane has only one left and it's been an antiques shop for 30 years..

posted by OzMarky on Aug 11, 2007 at 1:51am

OzMarky thanks for your thoughts.

For those of us in Brisbane and those of us who largely grew up with the Regent in its current form, it's about the best that we have, so let's not totally lose it. It is far better than the 'supermarket' cinemas that are the alternative. There are still many Regent devotees out there.

As for the even sadder Antique store, it now has support columns dotted around inside, one assumes this is to prevent the ceiling collapsing on the antique shoppers.

As for Hoyts...well not in Qld these days...

posted by barth on Sep 2, 2007 at 4:03am

OzMarky (Mark?)
I tried to send you an email but it bounced!
Can you please send me the zip file with the 44 photos of the interior of the Regent thanks?
Mike G.
mike.gillies@nrw.qld.gov.au

posted by michael g on Nov 11, 2007 at 9:41pm

Nothing would surprise me. Would love to see a theatre operator move in and do something with the current cinemas. Very sadly ...over the past couple of years , you'd have to be Columbo to know there was actually movies screening inside. No outside display of attractions above the entrance (used to be the hand placed letters) , likewise inside in the foyer...nothing saying what is on. You would have to go find a green photocopy sheet with session times. Now on several occasions I witnessed....no sheets available....movie goers just walked out..assuming to the Myer Centre. Anyone would think they wanted this place to fail !!

Now while the lobby is heritage protected (please keep in mind this means nothing in Qld...so was David Jones interior...and Shingle Inn...and many others. A hotel operator may be able to make changes.

Also of concern is down downstairs lobby area...which was the original lobby upstairs...with plaster elements moved to the lower level. While the "showcase" cinema pales compared to the original IT DOES contain major elements and features cut down from the original auditorium. This is all that is left. If a hotel goes...what becomes of these last fragments of the Regent ??
Mu understanding , none of these original parts...re-located in 1980 complex would be protected. I would suspect a deal would be done ensuring no other cinema operator could use the complex (same deal as with Albert sale). It always angers and saddens me that Brisbane...apart from The Plaza (antiques) and the Princess at the Gabba....had nothing left at all.

Oz Marky...would love that zip file bjcomp@pacific.net.au

Brent

posted by brentj on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:38pm

Hi All,

My name is Vicki. I helped run the campaign to save the historic Shingle Inn in Brisbane. We have had some success as the heritage interior will be going into our City Hall and will be preserved for future generations.

Not really surprised that the Regent may be undergoing substantial development. Seems they've been winding it down for years!! "Demolition by neglect" is the term often used...as with Belle Vue, Cloudland and Festival Hall. Queensland is famous for it!!

I'm investigating what parts of our much-altered Regent is actually heritage protected (NOT THAT THAT MEANS MUCH IN QLD!!!) I'm personally not opposed to redevelopment of a heritage building if it means saving it from complete demolition, but as long as it's done properly and within heritage guidelines. Our heritage organisation (B.R.I.S.S.I.) will try to ensure this happens.

On another note...I am currently writing a book about Brisbane's lost heritage...all the heritage places that we've lost in Brisbane.
I noticed that a lot of your comments feature great memories of the Regent and other places. My email address is vicki@brisnet.org.au
I would really like to use some of your memories...and pick your brains for some more!! Please contact me if you would like to contribute to the book. OzMarky...I'd love a copy of that zip file...sp2...would also love copies of your photos.

Hope to hear from you all...lets keep these wonderful memories alive!!

VickiB

posted by VickiB on Jan 27, 2008 at 3:29am

AS reported in the preservation alert on this page...time is running out of The Regent...before it becomes part of an office tower. A story in yesterdays paper included part of the report from the developer...mentioned that heritage parts...may be lost...or cracks may appear in main walls of grand lobby due to nature of demolition/construction work for a new 38 story building beyond the marble staircase.

Any photo's etc can help for the site below

The regent site is now set up

www.savetheregent.com

posted by brentj on Feb 15, 2008 at 2:51pm

posted by KenRoe on Feb 15, 2008 at 5:15pm

Is there any news of what is to happen to the old girl.

posted by jefferywalker on Jun 29, 2008 at 2:08am

BRISBANE REGENT NEEDS YOUR HELP! The Brisbane Regent Theatre, a cultural and heritage icon in Brisbane, Australia is in danger of being altered into a corporate enclave with little public access, after 80 yeas of continuous service as a picture palace and cinema complex.

The magnificent gothic foyer and grand entrance lobby from 1929 remain intact and are heritage protected. The later rebuilt cinemas behind are not, even though they contain heritage-style original plaster decorations and artefacts.

On September 10, 2008 the Queensland government announced that the Regent cinema complex will be redeveloped into one 300-seat multiuse cinema and two tiny 60 seat cinemas, a loss of around 1000 seats from what is currently there. These will open only on weekends and public holidays.
Several television and cinema industry offices will also be established there, but it would be assumed they would go into already built offices in the Regent Building above the grand entrance lobby.

The Brisbane International Film Festival will now have to find a large enough venue elsewhere for their festival gala events after many years at the Regent.

Almost no new development plans or technical details have been released to date, leaving a concerned public in the dark as to the finer details etc. The original design called for total demolition of the cinemas, to be replaced by a car park and office tower rear entrance. This has been altered due to recent public outcry... but to what exactly?

Please visit the Save the Regent website (link below) for the very latest on this important development.

http://www.debritz.com/str/node/59

Send an email to those who have a say in this development and voice your concerns directly to them. Time is running out!

http://debritz.com/str/node/1

Save the Regent Group
Sept. 17, 2008.
www.savetheregent.com

posted by michael g on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:42pm

For those who remember the Regent pre-1978 or wish to learn about its history, a web site has been created. Go to
www.regent.tosa-qld.org

Contributions to its history on this web site are welcomed.

posted by michael g on Mar 8, 2009 at 8:33pm

A new bid has been launched to save Brisbane's historic Regent Theatre from demolition.

A member of the Save the Regent Group has lodged an application to have the theatre's Showcase cinema and bar area Heritage listed. The application was advertised for public submissions in the Courier-Mail of June 5, 2009.

Currently only the foyer of the building is protected, and the development application recently approved by the Brisbane City Council would see everything beyond the building's grand marble stairase demolished to make way for a 40-storey office tower.

Backed by two petitions to Parliament, attracting thousands of signatures, and Facebook groups with combined membership totalling nearly 5000 people, the STR Group has been fighting to protect as much of the orignal 1929 Regent as possible since the development plans were made public last February.

The Heritage-listing application, lodged by STR committee member Brent James, argues that the Showcase Cinema includes plasterwork and other heritage features from the original 1929 Regent, and that the bar area is the original theatre mezzanine relocated downstairs.

"While others have argued that nothing other than the foyer is worth saving, we have always said that the essence of the Regent - Brisbane's last remaining Hollywood picture palace - is more than that," STR spokesman Brett Debritz said.

"It is true that the original auditorium had a somewhat unsympathetic makeover about 30 years ago, but much of the 1929 theatre's fixtures and fittings was relocated into the showcase cinema and it is of immense heritage value to the people of Brisbane. We contend that the mezzanine and the Showcase Cinema should be protected by law, and urge people to support this application.

"We encourage people who care about our city's heritage to respond to the advertisement in today's paper and lodge their support for the listing of the Showcase and the old mezzanine.

"Please, follow the instructions in the advertisement to have your say before it's too late. In the coming days, there will be more details on our website, www.savetheregent.com, and on the Save the Regent Facebook Group."

posted by michael g on Jun 8, 2009 at 10:41pm

Please note that the Regent Theatre short history web page has moved to: http://www.tosa-qld.org/docs/regent%20web%20pages%201-13.pdf
Comments and additions are welcome.

Remember to keep up to date with the Regent's development plans. This will be the last BIFF(http://www.stgeorgebiff.com.au/about.aspx) in the Showcase Cinema at the Regent, as it is to be demolished under development plans now passed by city council. See: www.savetheregent.com for more details.

posted by michael g on Jul 23, 2009 at 10:42pm

plzzzzzz save them.

posted by marketing on Apr 3, 2010 at 5:25am

The above link to the history of the Regent has been updated.
It now includes information on the 1980-2008 Regent Cineplex.

Go to: http://www.tosa-qld.org/docs/regent_web_inc_1980.pdf

Visit also: www.savetheregent.com for the latest developments on the Regent's future.

posted by michael g on May 3, 2010 at 8:58pm

A SAD DAY...
Yesterday 14 June 2010 the Brisbane Regent closed for good as a cinema complex. Final film in the beautiful Showcase Cinema was Casablanca. Full story and pics here:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/credits-roll-for-iconic-regent-20100615-ybpb.html?autostart=1

See also www.savetheregent.com

posted by michael g on Jun 14, 2010 at 10:41pm

Almost but not quite...

Just for the record - other comments on the net are correct. Titanic actually was the final film to stop rolling, due to its longer running time and its late start of 30mins. [Don't know how that happened:) ] Audiences for Casablanca and Sex and the City actually had exited the building whilst Titanic completed its final voyage at The Regent.

posted by barth on Jun 16, 2010 at 4:30am

As a former employee, I will certainly lament the passing of this complex, but for me the Regent Theatre really died on August 27, 1978 when the original theatre was closed down and its auditorium demolished.

posted by Ianh on Jun 18, 2010 at 3:17am

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