I have lived in Rivervale, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, for over 30 years, and wish to correct a few errors of fact and spelling in this listing for Ascot Theatre and Gardens.
First and foremost, the suburb was NEVER called Riversdale (athough that was proposed by some), ONLY Barndon Hill, followed by Burswood, then Rivervale from 1929.
Second, it is my understanding (possibly incorrect) that the name changed from Rivervale Hall to Rivervale Theatre during the mid 1930s (maybe 1935?) following a restyling of the building (not buolding!) into Art Deco style. Not sure of the name prior to the restyle, or before the 1929 rename of the suburb.
Third, I’m not sure when the name changed to Ascot Theatre and Gardens, but quite possibly around 1948 when ‘outdoor’ cinemas became popular during Australia’s hot summers, and before television gained supremacy for ‘viewing preference’.
The cinema building was demolished in the mid 2000s and replaced with the modern office block that occupies the site now (2017).
I have lived in Rivervale, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, for over 30 years, and wish to correct a few errors of fact and spelling in this listing for Ascot Theatre and Gardens. First and foremost, the suburb was NEVER called Riversdale (athough that was proposed by some), ONLY Barndon Hill, followed by Burswood, then Rivervale from 1929. Second, it is my understanding (possibly incorrect) that the name changed from Rivervale Hall to Rivervale Theatre during the mid 1930s (maybe 1935?) following a restyling of the building (not buolding!) into Art Deco style. Not sure of the name prior to the restyle, or before the 1929 rename of the suburb. Third, I’m not sure when the name changed to Ascot Theatre and Gardens, but quite possibly around 1948 when ‘outdoor’ cinemas became popular during Australia’s hot summers, and before television gained supremacy for ‘viewing preference’. The cinema building was demolished in the mid 2000s and replaced with the modern office block that occupies the site now (2017).