Unity Theatre

Located in the south-east Melbourne beach community of Edithvale. Originally constructed by A.H. Plain, a local real estate agent in the Art Deco style, this historic building was known as Plains Hall and featured 2,800 square feet of floor space and oval shaped wall mirrors. The Plains Hall was opened on December 14, 1918. The Seaside News Cheltenham reported: “The Edithville Entertainers made their first public appearance on Saturday night in the new hall, and it proved a brilliantly successful debut. The programming was a capitol one, and the characters all represented in a manner which delighted the large audience”.

1940 and the hall was purchased by Manchester Unity I.O.O.F. - The Herald, November 20, 1940 reports: There will be major changes to the building and a name change from Plains Hall to the Unity Theatre Edithvale", under the heading “New Theatre and Lodge Room for Edithvale”. - The original building comprised of two lock-up shops and a small public hall which proved inadequate to the demands put upon it. The new premises will have a modern lodge room on the first floor over the front portion of the building, approached by its own stairs direct from street level.

A locker-room and toilet accommodation for lodge members adjoins and a modern projection room for sound pictures is provided on this floor. The remainder of the site has been replanned to provide a modern, intimate theatre, complete with a small stage, adequate toilet accommodation and a specious entrance vestibule and lobby from the main street level. One of the original shops has been remodeled for use in conjunction with the theatre and has direct access from the entrance vestibule and from the street.

The theatre features comfortable seating and has been attractively decorated in a modern manner, also equipped with up-to-date lighting effects and heating equipment. The main facade has been executed in a buff cement finish relieved with red face brick, features modern steel frame windows to the first-floor accommodation.

The cantilever verandah is finished in pressed metal. An attractive blue and primrose tile facing has been adopted. The Unity Theatre has been leased to Mr H.G. Jones.

The building has been completed by Mr. F.L. Walton-master builder, to the plans of Mr. R. Le-Poer Terry, architect of Melbourne. The new cinema will seat 500-people. Extensive alterations and additions have been made by The Manchester Unity I.O.O.F. to its property in Pt. Nepean Road, Edithvale.

Brian Vickery advises that his mother and father - Dot Marlow & Jim Marlow ran the theatre during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Unity Theatre was closed in 1964, with a seating capacity reduced to 273-seats.

After closing it was converted into a picture framing gallery, it then became a St. Vincent de Paul charity shop, and in 2010 operated as Vinnies charity shop, which closed in the mid-2010’s. It was last used as a retail showroom before it was sold. There is now a plan to turn the building into an off-the-plan unique redevelopment. Originally this historic cinema had a lot of Art Deco style architectural elements. In line with this, the architects designed arcs and other features. The clients were quite receptive to the idea of showcasing the courtyard community space with planting and an archway leading out to the rear residences as an alternative to a typical bedroom interior image. This became one of the showpiece marketing images for the forthcoming campaign in 2025.

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