Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace

380 Military Road,
Sydney, NSW 2090

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curmudgeon
curmudgeon on November 1, 2020 at 7:31 am

Fringed main curtain no longer used, just silver travellers. Other auditoriums are also lacking screen tabs now as they break down and young manager feels they are no longer necessary. So sad.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 22, 2016 at 5:27 pm

December 8th, 1987 reopening ad in photo section.

itinerama
itinerama on June 19, 2016 at 12:39 am

Definitely not the place to see films in 70mm. Very small uncurved and slanted backwards screen(due to the steep angle of projection.)

David Wilson
David Wilson on August 7, 2011 at 5:05 am

It is the jewel in the crown of Australian Art Deco picture palaces. The detail in the refurbishment is extraordinary. I took several photos of some of the light fittings which can be found on this page.

Ron Carlson
Ron Carlson on December 10, 2010 at 8:24 pm

You can tour the theater on their web site. Beautiful photo’s of all the auditoriums and public spaces.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on October 12, 2010 at 3:42 pm

Too bad none of the photo links work anymore.

Ron Carlson
Ron Carlson on February 9, 2008 at 4:33 pm

This is what a multi screen cinema should look like. If more owners were to spend the money and the attention to detail it would bring back the magic and escape of going to the movies. This place embodies all of the qualities of the old picture palaces and none of the cookie cutter attributes of the modern multi screen cinema.

AdoraKiaOra
AdoraKiaOra on April 29, 2007 at 12:07 pm

Good on ‘ya Australia! from what ive seen on my visits down under in cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and of course Sydney- these guys know how to look after the treasures they have.

porterfaulkner
porterfaulkner on September 10, 2004 at 5:17 pm

Jim, The white fringe was new and purchased from the UK some years back. As impressive as the curtain looks in the photo this theatre is located in the balcony only and as such does not have much in the way of length/drop, but the owners should be commended for taking the trouble to create something immaginative in this city. The red main curtain is backed up by silver satin travellers. The original theatre had a fly tower with the main curtain rising vertically, this is no longer possible as that area is occupied by rented space.

I believe the main auditorium (pictured) seats around 700.

JimRankin
JimRankin on June 2, 2004 at 8:07 am

The photo caption is right about the “luscious” auditorium with that wonderful contour curtain shown opening. Few theares can boast such a lavish and beautiful curtain, and I wonder where they found that 4-foot-deep white fringe? If it were made by such experts as Scalamandre Silks in New York City, it would cost about US$3000 per yard! This shows one reason so few theatres ever restore the original textile ornaments. Add to this the cost and pains of flameproofing, and they are out of reach.

sdoerr
sdoerr on November 22, 2003 at 4:42 pm

Wow what an ornate ceiling!

Jupiter
Jupiter on November 22, 2003 at 3:59 pm

A souvenir booklet or at least a set of postcards is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.