Page 18 - untitled

and are assisted by the installation of the latest in Do.lby stereo equipment and full air-conditioning.

Relocation of the screen has meant a reduced seating capacity. The cuJTent seating is 620 in the circle and 550 in the
staHs. Seating in the Astor is of the traditional type with box seats in the circle and tip-ups in the stalls. Both types are
always being upgraded. Some stalls seating has come from the now razed Hoyts Malvern and the Plaza at Chelsea.

Astor Auditorium

The auditorium has recently been repainted and specially designed carpet has been laid all combining to make a night out
at the movies something special.

In June of 1997 a new sound system was installed and this consists of state-of-the-art digita.l sound system, the heart of
which is the Dolby CP500-70D processor unit which also supplies Dolby Digital sound, together with 35mm and 70mm
D.T.S. digital capability. (The Astor is one of a very few theatres in Australia equipped for 70mm D.T.S. sound.) All new
stage speakers, sub-woofers and amplifiers were included as part of the overhaul. The original 1929 design Western
Electric amplifier (all 15 watts!) is to put on display in the foyer.
Since 1995, intense competition has come from new cinema construction in the area. Nan1ely the new George Cinemas
in Fitzroy Street, St.Kilda, the Como cinemas in Chapel street, and the Jam Factory, which recently increased its number
of screens. All of these cater for the expanding cinema market of contemporary movies. The Astor has maintained the
publication of its famous movie calendars and continues to screen a wide range of films.

The presentation of M.G.M., U.A. and Warner Bros. vintage movies was made possible by the formation in 1997 of
Chapel Distribution and Potential Films, a joint venture between the Astor and Mark Spratt of Potential films. The
library of films finds its way all over Australia and even New Zealand.

The Astor, like Sydney's Orpheum theatre, has become widely appreciated among movie going audiences everywhere for
the dedication, atmosphere and the high standards which they achieve.

18