Shenton Theatre and Gardens
206 Nicolson Road,
Shenton Park,
WA
6008
206 Nicolson Road,
Shenton Park,
WA
6008
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Popcorn_pete. You are correct. This cinema was in fact owned by my family (Hatfield family) in conjunction with the Wembley Theatre, the Empire Theatre (Leederville) and the Cameo Gardens. We would not have been the original owner (the family owned a a different string of theatres in the thirties) but whilst the grand patriach (R.F. Hatfield) died in 1942, his sons reinvested in the business after the war and I believe the Shenton Park fell into their hands then.
M.D. Bell’s book “Perth A Cinema History” states the theatre opened in 1932, and that the single-floor cinema had 550 seats. The State Records Office however has plans dated 1933 for a theatre designed by S. Rosenthal which would tie in with date on the building on Google Street View. The theatre is described as being at the corner of Nicholson and Derby although this facade could be the entrance. The bar here is now the Unicorn. The Record Office states the theatre was owned by the Hatfield family while Bell’s book gives the owners as Marshall and Williams.
The Shenton Theatre may have opened in 1934 judging by the date on the top of the facade at the front of the Nic(a food and drink bar).
The chemist(pharmacy) is Shenton Pharmacy.