Chinese Gardens Theatre North Terrace & Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000 – Grand opening Fri Nov 29, 1934.
*Chinese Gardens Opening
One more sign of approaching summer — on Friday night the Chinese Gardens Theatre on North terrace will open its doors to open-air picture-goers, and the first programme to be presented will feature the musical ‘production “Show Boat” starring Paul Robeson, Allan Jones, & Irene Dunne.
Fragrant blooms
Electricians, painters, and gardeners are all doing their part to help the theatre shed its winter disguise — rockeries are covered with fragrant blooms, and the shrubs planted specially for the coming season are in leaf. Electricians are at work erecting hundreds of feet of coloured festooning. and even the huge dragon above the proscenium seems interested in the proceedings – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
CLOSING NIGHT 1984 - Projectionist John Richmond worked at the Port Pirie Drive-in from its opening to closing. On opening night, as was usual in those days the performance would end with a short piece of film of Queen Elizabeth II with the soundtrack of the National Anthem “God Save the Queen”. That very same short piece of film was still in use on closing night. - Contributed by Greg Lynch -
It was a special preview screening hosted by radio station 3XY for the film “Ride The Wild Surf”. Sadly it was never advertised in the press as it was a 3XY exclusive competition prize for their (teeny-bopper) listeners - Author John Holloway
In 1923 on land given to its first inaugural body, the theatre began its public life as a tin shed, and The Soldiers Memorial Institute which housed a library and meeting hall for returned soldiers from the first world war, was built.
In 1928 a more permanent stone and brick building replaced the tin shed and formed the foundation of what still stands as part of the main theatre.
During the early thirties functions like ballroom dancing and roller skating filled the hall, however roller skating eventually had to be banned because of the damage to the floor.
In 1936 it became the home of a new fad ‘electric light cricket'.
As suburban film theatres became popular, in 1937 an entrance foyer, ladies retiring room and a projection room was added to show movies and the building became known as ‘The Lyric Theatre' and then ‘The Windsor ‘ when it was bought by the Windsor chain.
In 1956 and addition was made to the rear of the theatre to house a more modern larger screen however as movies were only shown on Saturday, the lease required the hall to be available to locals at all other times. During this time the hall became known as ‘Star Theatres' for a short period.
Films were popular but when drive in movie theatres became established and television began in 1959 audiences dropped and finally the Windsor chain relinquished its lease in 1961.
In 1962 John Edmund and Donald Grey took the lease and turned the main hall into a ‘performance in the round' theatre, which became the home of Adelaide live performances in the 60's…hence the name change to Theatre 62.
While the library remained part of the theatre it was finally moved in 1970, when local council took over the management of the building as The Soldiers Memorial Institute was disbanded.
In 1981 the defunct Baptist church adjacent to the theatre was purchased by the council and joined via a foyer to the main Theatre. The complex became known as ‘Theatre 62 and The Chapel' and was used as a youth centre by ‘Carclew'
In 1985 the West Torrens Council refurbished the venue and leased to theatre to managers Barbara Messenger and Rob George, who continued the programming and promotion of ‘Local' theatre.
Mighty Good Entertainment bought into the partnership in 1992 and eventually Malcolm Harslett became sole director in 1999.
As part of an extensive up grade of facilities by Mighty Good Productions, it was noted that the name ‘Theatre 62' came from the year 1962 and had no relationship to either the address of the building or to the smaller venue, (known as ‘the Chapel')
It was decided to return to the name of ‘Star theatres' for the complex, with the main theatre being called Theatre 1 and the refurbished chapel, Theatre 2. In 2015 after several years of uncertainty the West Torrens Council voted to retain the theatre and continued the lease agreement with Mighty Good Productions for a further 10 years +, later agreeing to budget upgrading the building for the future and to keep the venue which boasts an average audience of 80,000 patrons each year
In 2023 Mighty Good Productions has held the lease for 30 years, the longest time of any theatre managers and has produced 75 original productions since 1992. The theatres have also hosted hundreds of different clients from major Musical companies, comedians, plays and other theatre productions for the varied community groups in West Torrens and beyond. The theatre also hosts many annual performances for Primary and Secondary schools, Dance, Drama and singing schools each year.
General information
Architectural style Art Deco/Art Nouveau/Spanish Mission
Design and construction - Architect Kaberry and Chard architects New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name Roxy Community Theatre; Roxy Theatre; Big Red
Type - State heritage (built) Designated 24 February 2006
Reference No. 1747 - Type Cinema
Category Recreation and Entertainment
Builders W. H. Hones for George Conson
The Roxy Community Theatre is a heritage-listed cinema, live theatre, theatre, concert venue and meeting venue located at 114-118 Pine Avenue, Leeton in the Leeton Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia.
It was designed by Kaberry and Chard architects in the Art Deco/Art Nouveau/Spanish Mission style and built from 1929 to 1930 by W. H. Hones for George Conson. It is also known as Roxy Theatre and Big Red. The property is owned by Leeton Shire Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 24 February 2006.
History
The Roxy opened 7 April 1930 and was built for Riverina Theatre entrepreneur George Conson. The architects for the theatre were the noted firm of Kaberry and Chard.
The popularity of the Roxy as a theatre name, imported from America’s most famous movie theatre, reflects the importance and worldwide influence of movies and the glamorous American lifestyle depicted in Hollywood films, embraced by Australian society during the 1920s and 1930s inter-war period. The original Roxy Theatre, built in New York in 1927, was the world’s largest showcase cinema from this era of theatrical movie palaces. It was established by and named after the master cinema showman himself, Samuel “Roxy” Rothapfel. “Roxy” as a name thus became synonymous with showmanship and dramatic cinema palaces from the boom time era of movies, wherever American cinema, Pop culture, and the theatrical American movie lifestyle became influential, admired and replicated.
The theatre was built by Mr W. H. Jones (sometimes J. H. Jones), with a seating capacity of 1091 on two levels. The Roxy was built in a modified Spanish Mission Style, with large red neon signs that were visible from a great distance at night, owing to the theatre’s location on top of a hill. As a result, the Roxy was nick-named “Big Red” . These lights were installed in 1933 when a full sized concert stage was constructed to mark its official opening. Australia’s celebrated soprano singer, Miss Gladys Moncrieff OBE, was engaged to sing in October 1933, as part of these opening celebrations.
In 1977 the theatre’s future was threatened with redevelopment. A meeting was called on 2 June 1977 by the Leeton and District Community Advancement Fund where the theatre’s future was discussed including unanimously agreeing that the theatre should be retained as a Civic type building and also should be saved as a picture theatre. On 23 June 1977 the matter on the theatre was discussed further at the Leeton and District Community Advancement Fund’s Annual General meeting with extensive investigations made and convinced of the buildings soundness and viability. The theatre was purchased by the community after a massive fund raising drive. $27,000 was raised by the Save The Roxy Committee and it was purchased for $75,000. Ownership was vested in Leeton Shire Council.
The theatre was progressively upgraded to provide a larger stage area and new dressing rooms, with a present seating capacity of 880 people (414 downstairs and 474 in the upstairs lounge area). It is run by a small part-time staff and a voluntary management committee. In addition to showing regular films, the Roxy is now the venue for eisteddfods, discos, high school speech nights and the musical society’s annual production. It has been restored to its original 1930s style.
Description
The Roxy is a fine example of an Inter-war cinema designed in a modified Art Deco architectural style with Art Nouveau and Spanish Mission elements. The building is constructed of brick walls, with the primary facade rendered, the roof clad in corrugated iron and timber floors. The theatre has a full size concert stage with the original two levels of seating, a foyer and ticket box area and an integrated shop at the west side. Large red neon lettering for “Roxy” is mounted above the roof parapet in three directions, plus extensive neon lighting on the front facade.
Condition
As at 18 May 2005, the theatre is in good condition, although some maintenance required. Heritage Council funding for conservation works to the Roxy Theatre were approved in 1992 for a total of $15,600. In December 2018 the NSW Government announced an additional $3.9 million grant towards a $4.4 million refurbishment of the Roxy Theatre.
The Roxy and associated shop survives virtually intact. - Notes by Wikipedia
Modifications and dates
1933 – Larger concert stage and dressing rooms constructed.
1933 – Facade neon lighting and red neon “Roxy” sign installed, and restored in 1992.
1995-1998 – Electrical upgrade to replace original decayed wiring.
Alhambra Theatre Riebeeck Street, Cape Town. Designed in 1928 by architect P. Rogers Cooke pictured above.
South Africa’s finest Atmospheric style theatre was designed in 1928 by architect P. Rogers Cooke. It opened in 1929 and had a Wurlitzer 2Manual/8Ranks theatre pipe organ installed which was opened by Max Bruce. The organ was moved to the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town in 1931.
The Alhambra Theatre operated as one of Cape Town’s major cinemas for many years and also presented numerous stage shows well into the 1960’s. The Alhambra Theatre was closed in January 1972 and demolished in 1974.
The organ that was originally in the Alhambra Theatre was installed in the Nico Milan/Artscape Theatre, Cape Town in 1998.
The photo above shows the Regent theatre bio-box Melbourne - later the projectors were transferred to the National St Kilda.
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Chinese Gardens Theatre North Terrace & Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000 – Grand opening Fri Nov 29, 1934.
*Chinese Gardens Opening
One more sign of approaching summer — on Friday night the Chinese Gardens Theatre on North terrace will open its doors to open-air picture-goers, and the first programme to be presented will feature the musical ‘production “Show Boat” starring Paul Robeson, Allan Jones, & Irene Dunne.
Fragrant blooms
Electricians, painters, and gardeners are all doing their part to help the theatre shed its winter disguise — rockeries are covered with fragrant blooms, and the shrubs planted specially for the coming season are in leaf. Electricians are at work erecting hundreds of feet of coloured festooning. and even the huge dragon above the proscenium seems interested in the proceedings – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
Former residence at the rear of the drive-in property reserved for the use of the staff.
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge 1987
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
CLOSING NIGHT 1984 - Projectionist John Richmond worked at the Port Pirie Drive-in from its opening to closing. On opening night, as was usual in those days the performance would end with a short piece of film of Queen Elizabeth II with the soundtrack of the National Anthem “God Save the Queen”. That very same short piece of film was still in use on closing night. - Contributed by Greg Lynch -
The image above -
It was a special preview screening hosted by radio station 3XY for the film “Ride The Wild Surf”. Sadly it was never advertised in the press as it was a 3XY exclusive competition prize for their (teeny-bopper) listeners - Author John Holloway
Hi Terrywade - Especially Chris Condon’s floating beer-tray sequence - pure genius - Greg L.
The History of Star Theatres
In 1923 on land given to its first inaugural body, the theatre began its public life as a tin shed, and The Soldiers Memorial Institute which housed a library and meeting hall for returned soldiers from the first world war, was built.
In 1928 a more permanent stone and brick building replaced the tin shed and formed the foundation of what still stands as part of the main theatre.
During the early thirties functions like ballroom dancing and roller skating filled the hall, however roller skating eventually had to be banned because of the damage to the floor.
In 1936 it became the home of a new fad ‘electric light cricket'.
As suburban film theatres became popular, in 1937 an entrance foyer, ladies retiring room and a projection room was added to show movies and the building became known as ‘The Lyric Theatre' and then ‘The Windsor ‘ when it was bought by the Windsor chain.
In 1956 and addition was made to the rear of the theatre to house a more modern larger screen however as movies were only shown on Saturday, the lease required the hall to be available to locals at all other times. During this time the hall became known as ‘Star Theatres' for a short period. Films were popular but when drive in movie theatres became established and television began in 1959 audiences dropped and finally the Windsor chain relinquished its lease in 1961.
In 1962 John Edmund and Donald Grey took the lease and turned the main hall into a ‘performance in the round' theatre, which became the home of Adelaide live performances in the 60's…hence the name change to Theatre 62.
While the library remained part of the theatre it was finally moved in 1970, when local council took over the management of the building as The Soldiers Memorial Institute was disbanded.
In 1981 the defunct Baptist church adjacent to the theatre was purchased by the council and joined via a foyer to the main Theatre. The complex became known as ‘Theatre 62 and The Chapel' and was used as a youth centre by ‘Carclew'
In 1985 the West Torrens Council refurbished the venue and leased to theatre to managers Barbara Messenger and Rob George, who continued the programming and promotion of ‘Local' theatre.
Mighty Good Entertainment bought into the partnership in 1992 and eventually Malcolm Harslett became sole director in 1999.
As part of an extensive up grade of facilities by Mighty Good Productions, it was noted that the name ‘Theatre 62' came from the year 1962 and had no relationship to either the address of the building or to the smaller venue, (known as ‘the Chapel')
It was decided to return to the name of ‘Star theatres' for the complex, with the main theatre being called Theatre 1 and the refurbished chapel, Theatre 2. In 2015 after several years of uncertainty the West Torrens Council voted to retain the theatre and continued the lease agreement with Mighty Good Productions for a further 10 years +, later agreeing to budget upgrading the building for the future and to keep the venue which boasts an average audience of 80,000 patrons each year
In 2023 Mighty Good Productions has held the lease for 30 years, the longest time of any theatre managers and has produced 75 original productions since 1992. The theatres have also hosted hundreds of different clients from major Musical companies, comedians, plays and other theatre productions for the varied community groups in West Torrens and beyond. The theatre also hosts many annual performances for Primary and Secondary schools, Dance, Drama and singing schools each year.
Contributed by Greg Lynch -
Hi Comfortably Cool - it’s a bet each way - it refers to the fact that MO came from the stage - Regards Greg L.
Roxy Community Theatre
General information Architectural style Art Deco/Art Nouveau/Spanish Mission
Design and construction - Architect Kaberry and Chard architects
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name Roxy Community Theatre; Roxy Theatre; Big Red Type - State heritage (built) Designated 24 February 2006 Reference No. 1747 - Type Cinema Category Recreation and Entertainment Builders W. H. Hones for George Conson
The Roxy Community Theatre is a heritage-listed cinema, live theatre, theatre, concert venue and meeting venue located at 114-118 Pine Avenue, Leeton in the Leeton Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia.
It was designed by Kaberry and Chard architects in the Art Deco/Art Nouveau/Spanish Mission style and built from 1929 to 1930 by W. H. Hones for George Conson. It is also known as Roxy Theatre and Big Red. The property is owned by Leeton Shire Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 24 February 2006.
History
The Roxy opened 7 April 1930 and was built for Riverina Theatre entrepreneur George Conson. The architects for the theatre were the noted firm of Kaberry and Chard.
The popularity of the Roxy as a theatre name, imported from America’s most famous movie theatre, reflects the importance and worldwide influence of movies and the glamorous American lifestyle depicted in Hollywood films, embraced by Australian society during the 1920s and 1930s inter-war period. The original Roxy Theatre, built in New York in 1927, was the world’s largest showcase cinema from this era of theatrical movie palaces. It was established by and named after the master cinema showman himself, Samuel “Roxy” Rothapfel. “Roxy” as a name thus became synonymous with showmanship and dramatic cinema palaces from the boom time era of movies, wherever American cinema, Pop culture, and the theatrical American movie lifestyle became influential, admired and replicated.
The theatre was built by Mr W. H. Jones (sometimes J. H. Jones), with a seating capacity of 1091 on two levels. The Roxy was built in a modified Spanish Mission Style, with large red neon signs that were visible from a great distance at night, owing to the theatre’s location on top of a hill. As a result, the Roxy was nick-named “Big Red” . These lights were installed in 1933 when a full sized concert stage was constructed to mark its official opening. Australia’s celebrated soprano singer, Miss Gladys Moncrieff OBE, was engaged to sing in October 1933, as part of these opening celebrations.
In 1977 the theatre’s future was threatened with redevelopment. A meeting was called on 2 June 1977 by the Leeton and District Community Advancement Fund where the theatre’s future was discussed including unanimously agreeing that the theatre should be retained as a Civic type building and also should be saved as a picture theatre. On 23 June 1977 the matter on the theatre was discussed further at the Leeton and District Community Advancement Fund’s Annual General meeting with extensive investigations made and convinced of the buildings soundness and viability. The theatre was purchased by the community after a massive fund raising drive. $27,000 was raised by the Save The Roxy Committee and it was purchased for $75,000. Ownership was vested in Leeton Shire Council.
The theatre was progressively upgraded to provide a larger stage area and new dressing rooms, with a present seating capacity of 880 people (414 downstairs and 474 in the upstairs lounge area). It is run by a small part-time staff and a voluntary management committee. In addition to showing regular films, the Roxy is now the venue for eisteddfods, discos, high school speech nights and the musical society’s annual production. It has been restored to its original 1930s style.
Description
The Roxy is a fine example of an Inter-war cinema designed in a modified Art Deco architectural style with Art Nouveau and Spanish Mission elements. The building is constructed of brick walls, with the primary facade rendered, the roof clad in corrugated iron and timber floors. The theatre has a full size concert stage with the original two levels of seating, a foyer and ticket box area and an integrated shop at the west side. Large red neon lettering for “Roxy” is mounted above the roof parapet in three directions, plus extensive neon lighting on the front facade.
Condition
As at 18 May 2005, the theatre is in good condition, although some maintenance required. Heritage Council funding for conservation works to the Roxy Theatre were approved in 1992 for a total of $15,600. In December 2018 the NSW Government announced an additional $3.9 million grant towards a $4.4 million refurbishment of the Roxy Theatre.
The Roxy and associated shop survives virtually intact. - Notes by Wikipedia
Modifications and dates
1933 – Larger concert stage and dressing rooms constructed. 1933 – Facade neon lighting and red neon “Roxy” sign installed, and restored in 1992. 1995-1998 – Electrical upgrade to replace original decayed wiring.
Contributed by Greg Lynch -
Reference Gromit2022 - Agreed Bob Parr OAM was one of the good guys & a mighty Picture Show Man - Greg L.
Alhambra Theatre Riebeeck Street, Cape Town. Designed in 1928 by architect P. Rogers Cooke pictured above.
South Africa’s finest Atmospheric style theatre was designed in 1928 by architect P. Rogers Cooke. It opened in 1929 and had a Wurlitzer 2Manual/8Ranks theatre pipe organ installed which was opened by Max Bruce. The organ was moved to the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town in 1931.
The Alhambra Theatre operated as one of Cape Town’s major cinemas for many years and also presented numerous stage shows well into the 1960’s. The Alhambra Theatre was closed in January 1972 and demolished in 1974.
The organ that was originally in the Alhambra Theatre was installed in the Nico Milan/Artscape Theatre, Cape Town in 1998.