Empire Theatre Goulburn 225 Auburn Street, Goulburn, NSW - 1920's

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Empire Theatre Goulburn 225 Auburn Street, Goulburn, NSW – 1920’s – A photograph from the stage of the Empire Theatre by Goulburn photographer Watt Telfer (possibly 1920s?)

The former beautiful Empire Theatre remembered. An article by David Cole, as published on line by “The Goulburn Post” …

In a time when citizens are debating whether the city needs a Performing Arts Centre, it is timely to reflect that Goulburn once had many grand theatres that seated thousands. If they were still here today they would be marveled at as heritage gems, rivaling the finest theatres in the country. Sadly, the former Empire (which later became the Odeon Theatre) was demolished in 1967 to make way for a hotel.

The Empire Theatre is the featured photograph in the Goulburn Post’s 2017 Calendar for July. The Empire Theatre originally operated from 1914 to 1930 and was the forerunner to the Odeon Theatre, which was located in Auburn Street where the Goulburn Square is now.

A souvenir booklet of the revamped grand theatre’s opening on April 15, 1930 describes the theatre as “surrounded by an old world wall and bound by careless creepers that radiate romance”.

“Above, the deep star-spangled blue of the heavens, fleecy clouds float hazily past, through which the stars, the sentinels of the sky shed their misty light, the whole scene suggestive of a lingering hour spent in the land of dreams.”

The Empire Theatre screened silent pictures and later ‘talkies’ and seated an astounding 2400 people. It was renamed the Odeon Theatre in 1948 and operated on the site until 1967.

Its interior was modeled on a Venetian garden, complete with “stately cypress trees,” terraces and balconies, all beneath a vast spreading dome, a night out at the Empire was an experience. Many have taken to the Goulburn Post Facebook page to share their memories of the old theatre.

Jennifer Lamb recalled it from the 1950s and 60s. “Going to the Odeon was a special event, so we sat upstairs in the gallery – people downstairs in the stalls probably had more fun, I think. And, of course, I remember the elegant foyer, the brilliant star studded ceiling in the auditorium and the feeling of sitting within a castle,” she wrote.

Margaret Shepherd wrote: “It was a wonderful theatre, stars in the sky, statues around, it certainly would be a heritage icon had it not been pulled down, such a shame.”

Patricia Warwick said: “It was a magnificent theatre, with many a Saturday arvo spent there.. 3 pence to get in and 3 to spend., penny ice scream and tuppence worth of mixed lollies.”

Gloria Cameron Gillespie wrote: “A beautiful theatre…It was a real fashion show on Saturday nights with everyone dressing in their best clothes. Such a pity to loose such a unique and beautiful building.” – Contributed by Greg Lynch –