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New Empress Theatre 12 Garden Street, Melbourne, VIC

The Empress Open-Air Pavilion was opened in 1907 screening Biograph pictures. Located close to the beach in the historic Williamstown suburb of Melbourne.

It was rebuilt in 1939 at a cost of £32,000, when a new brick facade was added, as well as a corrugated roof. Seating was provided in stalls and a small circle (700 in total) In 1953, a new brick facade was added and it became the New Empress Theatre, re-opening with the CinemaScope production “River of No Return” starring Marilyn Monroe. A new Miracle Mirror wide screen was installed for the occasion - The New Empress Theatre was closed in 1960.

It became a roller skating rink, then a table tennis centre. It was purchased by the Williamstown Italian Social Club in 1978, which continues in 2010 - Notes by Ken Roe

Contributed by Greg Lynch -