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TEMPERANCE HALL - 52 - 54 Melville Street, Hobart, TAS - aka Bijou Theatre / Avalon Theatre

PHOTO: 1890 (possibly opening night); Source: University of Tasmania. - Extra contribution: AUSTRALIAN VARIETY THEATRE ARCHIVE

TEMPERANCE HALL

aka Bijou Theatre / Avalon Theatre (1890-1976)

Temperance Hall - Hobart [UTAS] Built by the Tasmanian Temperance Alliance, the Temperance Hall opened on 2 May 1890 with a public gathering and addresses by local dignitaries. Its first lessee, J. Saville Smith, secured Charles and Harry Cogills‘ Minstrels for a season beginning 4 June and followed it later that month with Harry Rickards. Over the next five decades the hall was used regularly for community events, lectures, theatricals, concerts, lantern shows as well as for variety entertainments.

RE-NAMED :

It was renamed the Bijou in 1922, used briefly as a furniture store in the mid-1920s, and eventually re-modelled as the Avalon cinema in 1932. As a picture theatre the Avalon remained at the forefront of technology with ‘Western Mirror-phonic’ sound and ‘Philips 70mm Widescreen’ during the 1960’s.

Closed in 1976, it was to provide Hobart with an entertainment venue for 85 years and following 40 years as a retail store and marketplace, The building was acquired in 1977 by Danny Burke Electricals and has since been used for various commercial businesses including the Brunacci Avalon Markets. It has recently been re-discovered as a performance venue for Dark Mofo.

Then from the (S. Group @sgroupofficial - Architectural Designer) came the announcement. - We’re excited to be teaming up with Hillsong Church Hobart, receiving Development Approval from the City of Hobart recently for a proposed multi-million dollar redevelopment of the historic and heritage listed Avalon Theatre. The Avalon will be converted into a modern church theatre to meet the needs of Hillsong Hobart’s growing church congregation, and to provide the theatre for hire to the wider community.

Originally known as Temperance Hall, the Avalon ran as a theatre for 86 years but has been sitting under-utilised for many years. We’re excited to be playing a small part in helping bring this old girl back to life once again! - The future ?

Contributed by Greg Lynch -