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31. ATHENAEUM SORRENTO -100 Years Old by Peter O'Reilly

In January 1894 plans were submitted by Melbourne architect Mr. J. F. Gibbons, and building began on the
Sorrento Athenaeum Hall. The hall was to be approx. 60' x 38' and the stage 37' x 30'. The hall was described
as a limestone building comprising of a large hall, a stage with a cellar and dressing rooms underneath, two
shops at the front. a dwelling above the shops~ not connected with the theatre and having a street entrance.
The owner was Mr. D. Macfarlane, a Sorrento shopkeeper.

The proscenium wall was of fibrous plaster. The stage riser was constructed of softwood, with a door to the
cellar behind a calico curtain on either side. The fly gallery was unlined and was constructed of softwood. The
rear portion of1he stage was used as a supper room and had an open fireplace with a slate hearth. The stage
roof was not lined and had a 4' x 2' louvre at the hip for ventilation.

In 1909, the original kerosene lamps were replaced by acetylene gas fired footlights, concealed in a galva-
nised trough, and gas pendants and brackets suspended from the ceiling. The cellar. under the stage was
cemented throughout with an open fireplace. The dressing rooms. also under the stage, were constructed of
softwood and had no ventilation or natural light.

About 1918 a Bio cabin was constructed in the main lobby, between the shops and the hall. This Bio cabin
originally had no roof and was constructed of galvanised iron. The projection was through the central back
door ofthe hall. In 1919 electricity was fitted and all gas lamps were removed. The approaches to the dress-
ing rooms were boarded up and there were alterations made to the bio cabin to bring it in line with the safety
regulations of the day.

In 1925 alterations were made to the building which was then known as the Athenaeum Picture Theatre. The
proscenium wall was removed and rebuilt to provide for an increased capacity of 592 seats. In 1931 the bio
box was redesigned and rebuilt, and in 1932 the cinema was fitted out with a new RCA sound system, the
capacity being altered at the same time to 530 seats. The projectionists at the time were Mr. D. Macfarlane
and Mr. S. Phillingham.

On the First of November, 1949, the ownership of the Athenaeum was transferred to Mrs Rosa Kirby of Sun-
shine, and the showing of pictures was to be conducted by Mr. George Kirby of Kirby Theatres. At this stage
the theatre was completely overhauled. Wiring and projectors were renewed, and the theatre was
redecorated. In July 1950 plans were drawn up by the well known theatre architects, Cowper Murphy and As-
sociates, for alterations which were to include a dress circle of 48 seats, a lounge of 93 seats, and an upstairs
bio box. The intention was to proceed with these plans at the end of 1950, but these additions did not even-
tuate. In August 1950 more plans were drawn up to provide for removing the existing shops, new front doors,
a new foyer entrance, a new foyer, a managers office and staff room. indoor toilets, and an upstairs dwelling
above the adjoining shops. Included in this plan was the relocation of the bio box. In 1965 the projectionist
was Alan Willard Croad and the theatre manager was Donald James Ross.

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