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The architect had given the theatre generous public spaces. A feature of the foyer is the open well in the centre of the
ceiling, which also absorbs po1tion of the floor space of the upper foyer. Oliginally there was access to a large milk bar
and supper room which once faced the street.

Downstairs Foyer

The foyer floor is laid in terrazzo whilst the upper mezzanine and lounge are covered in wall to wall carpet. Comfortable
easy chairs and lounges are provided in the lounge foyer for patrons as well casement windows opening out onto the
street. Ideal for those hot summer nights.

Seating originally some 1,692 patrons, the Astor auditolium is typical for its period, except for one unusual feature. The
splay walls at the proscenium extend into the auditorium and have six vertical conclave recesses in which originally were
lit by neon tubes and are arranged so that a changing colour scheme can be demonstrated.

The plain walls in the auditorium are relieved by acoustic treatment separated by "Art Deco" Roman style plaques. The
original coloulings of the walls and ceilings was tan. Large opalene rectangular lighting designed by the architect was
used for illumination. Ventilation was originally carried out by mechanical means with an oil fired boiler being used for
beating.

The projection room used Western Electric sound and originally the Astor screened Paramount and M.G.M. product, the
balance of other companies films such as Fox, R.K.O., United Artists, etc, being acquired by Hoyts for their Windsor
theatre down the road.

After the war, Mr. O'Collins decided to give the Astor an internal facelift and whilst there was a complete repaint of the
auditorium, all of the "art deco" lights were replaced with plaster candelabra and oval recesses on the walls, indirectly lit.
In 1946, all the projection equipment was replaced and remained in use until 1982, one of these machines is now on
display in the foyer.

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