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Uploaded on: December 27, 2025

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Nepean Theatre 386 High Street, Penrith, NSW - Photo - 1955

Penrith is a city in the far west of Sydney, on the Nepean River. Its a city with a long history in movie exhibition beginning with an open air theatre in 1910.

The Nepean Picture Theatre built in the 1920’s was the baby of Lisle “Pop” Spence. He was an alderman and Mayor of Penrith who showed films three days a week and live events like boxing and classical concert broadcasts on the ABC radio stations filled out the week. His son Bruce took over in the 1940’s and hired Guy Crick to rebuild the theatre in a simplified Art Deco style.

The new Nepean Theatre opened on May 19, 1948 and ran until 1964. The building stood empty until 1970 when it was sold to the Bank of NSW and eventually demolished in 1977 - Notes by John Gleeson

Contributed by Greg Lynch -