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State Cinema 375 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, Hobart, TAS -

Hobart’s State Cinema, once saved by Gough Whitlam, enters new era after sale to Reading - ABC Radio Hobart /

By Lucy Shannon - Posted Wed 20 Nov 2019

John Kelly has come a long way in 17 years. With big plans for refurbishment, he bought the run down State Theatre in North Hobart in 2002.

Now Mr Kelly is bowing out, selling a highly successful business which is at the heart of the inner-city suburb’s regeneration.

“It’s just so big now for an individual like me to run it … it is quite frankly beyond me,” he told ABC Radio Hobart.

The business, which screens arthouse offerings as well as the occasional blockbuster, has been sold to American cinema chain Reading.

“Reading has assured me they want to maintain the fabric and the essence of the cinema,” Mr Kelly said.

“Quite frankly, anyone who tinkered around the edges I’d think would be mad, the formula is so proven now.”

Contributed by Greg Lynch -