Page 17 - CinemaRecord #21R.pdf

74. Nhill- Victoria by Gerry Kennedy

Nhill is situated on the Western Highway, roughly half way between Melbourne and Aqelaide. The prosperous
rural based town is in a district known as the Wimmera. Grazing and grain growing support the area.

Films came to Nhill by way of travelling showmen around the turn of the century. The Mechanics Hall, now the
Wesley Church Hall, and The Theatre Royal were the early venues.

1. The Theatre Royal:

The Theatre Royal (1) was built facing Nelson St. on a site next to the existing Memorial Community Centre
(formerly the Royal Picture Theatre) by the Kierse family in the late 1800's. The building was of modest design
and facility and was constructed in timber framing and galvanized iron, a style which was common in country
areas at that time. Mr. A.V. Schultz later became the owner of the building.

The gable roof incorporated sliding panels to assist in venting the building in the heat of the Wimmera sum-
mers. A raised walkway was built along the eastern wall to provide access to the stage area as well as a viewing
point for onlookers. The Theatre Royal had a seating capacity of about 500. The building was fitted with a good
quality dance floor and a large stage area.

"Motion pictures were the main entertainment presented at the Theatre Royal and were conducted in succes-
sion by a number of exhibitors under the names of "Strand", "Scott's" and "Royal Pictures". The name "Royal
Pictures" was adopted when the theatre property and adjoining land came into the ownership of Mr. Herbert
Victor Schultz who with his father had other business interests in Nhill. The Grand Opening Night of the H.V.
Schultz Royal Pictures took place on Wednesday, 23 January, 1924 with special music by the Nhill Concert
Orchestra which comprised Nhill and district musicians. When Mr. Schultz took over, pictures were screened at
the Theatre on Wednesdays, Saturdays and certain holiday nights, with super productions such ''The Ten
Commandments" being shown on a number of consecutive nights. For several of these prologues were pre-
sented using talented local artists and special scenery supplied by the film exchanges. The local concert or-
chestra providing the music. It was the time of the silent films and for the normal picture shows a piano was
used to provide the background music".(1)

The Theatre Royal was the main venue in the town for balls, live performances, musicals and film exhibition.
Nhill was on the circuit for the J.C. Williamson Theatre Company musicals and plays. A production of "Rose
Marie" was performed at the Theatre Royal in the 1920's. The building was also used for roller skating and
miniature golf.

The projection room was equipped with two projectors; one a Hans Gertz model and the other a Simplex
machine. The building lacked the facilities and prestige that the Lowan Shire Council and local residents felt
was required and discussions ensued over the years (from the 1920's) concerning the replacement of the major
entertainment venue in the town. A new building incorporating a hall, Council Chambers and municipal offices
was proposed but not built because of costs.

With the construction of the neigbouring cinema the Theatre Royal was used for entertainments requiring a
large stage space and as a supper room when balls were held next door. Films were discontinued at the
Theatre Royal with the opening of the new theatre on 25 May, 1927.

As use for the Theatre declined H.V. Schultz sold the building in 1935 to F.J. Williams, the General Motors
Dealer in Nhill & Kaniva. The theatre became part of the large garage business that now occupies the area.
Parts of the old theatre can be still be seen from inside the garage including the sliding roof sections.

2. Royal Picture Theatre/Regent/Memorial/Memorial Community Centre:

In 1926 H.V. Schultz, the owner of the Theatre Royal, recognizing the short comings of the old building, insti-
gated plans to construct a new building next door, on the western side. This site was in Nelson St. at the corner
of Clarence St.

The famous theatre architectural firm of Behringer, Taylor and Johnson(2) was engaged to design the building.
Construction work commenced in the later part of 1926. Sub contract labour was used and a local builder, E. T.
Garland along with H.V. Schultz supervised the construction.