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Plaza Theatre 79-85 George Street, Launceston, TA

The Examiner reported that the lighting system would “be a revelation to Launceston patrons”.

The pièce de résistance was a nine-foot-high crystal chandelier suspended from the dome, costing £1,000 and imported directly from Paris.

Three men from Melbourne fixed the 10,000 pieces of Baccarat crystal to the main stem of the chandelier. Sixty-five electric globes could be dimmed to pinpoints, casting a soft diffused light over the interior of the building. On opening night Mayor A.W. Monds said that “The huge chandelier was a thing of delight.”

In 1936 Holyman’s new office building replaced Blundell’s Emporium. A year later the Plaza’s regular programs were screened at the National Theatre while the old Academy building was completely re-built, except for some outside walls.

The building was demolished by the middle of May 1937. Relics salvaged from under the stage included a 1908 copy of The Examiner, old sheet music and an ancient leather fire bucket.

Despite the Oregon timber beams being as good as new, ten massive girders shipped from the mainland – the largest at 60 feet – replaced them, with traffic in George Street diverted while they were swung into place.

The crystal chandelier was carefully re-hung from the vaulted barrel ceiling of the foyer, and on August 20, 1937 the Plaza Theatre reopened to expectant crowds - BY MARION SARGENT, LAUNCESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Contributed by Greg Lynch -