Page 10 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

In Narrandera (population 4,700)
the former Globe/Plaza Theatre is
home to the Christian Revival Church.
The theatre opened as The Globe in
1927, was damaged by fire and
reopened as the Plaza in 1934, seating
1032. (The hall next door was used as
a cinema whilst the Globe was rebuilt.)
An unusual feature of The Plaza
was a double storied verandah which
gave the exterior the look of a country
hotel. Access to the verandah was
directly from the rear of the circle.
Twin staircases to the circle led from
the common entry to the stalls.
The church is built in the stalls area
of the theatre. False walls and ceiling
create a more intimate and appropriate
space for worship. The former 1950’s
proscenium and CinemaScope screen
are still in place and the circle is
complete with its seats. There is no
equipment left in the projection room.
Two venues were inspected in
Deniliquin (population 7800). The
Deniliquin Town Hall, was a
refurbished 19th Century ornate
building with a flat floor and a small,
high set balcony. Leased for years to
O’Halloran Theatres, it ran as the
Regent (seating 600) until they built
their own Regent Theatre in 1957.
The second Regent was designed
by the prolific firm of architects
Cowper, Murphy and Associates.
Smart design was evident in a two
level venue with large ground floor
foyers and a crying room. The theatre
seated 801. The original Kalee 21
projectors were in use until the theatre
closed about a year ago. This theatre is
to be the subject of a future article in
CinemaRecord.
Day 4:
Art Deco was the inspiration for
the new Paramount Centre at Echuca
(population 10,00). In this four screen
venue Cinema 1 seats 393, Cinema 2 Top down: Hotel-like exterior of the Globe/Plaza Narrandera
seats 140 and cinemas 3 and 4 each For Your Eyes Only – Original remnants of interior above the false ceiling,
seat 102. Cinema 1 doubles as a well Plaza Narrandera.
equipped performing art space with Town Hall Deniliquin, the first Regent in the town - projection ports above the
spacious stage and backstage areas. small balcony.
The project is a partnership between The custom built Regent Deniliquin. The murals were a late addition.
the City Council and private enterprise.
theatre was probably the last of the Part of the adjacent hotel utilizes the
The Paramount Centre was featured
two-level, single screens to be built in former stalls area of the Regent.
in CinemaRecord No. 36 (2002).
country Victoria. The Swan Hill Town Hall is a
At Swan Hill (population 10,000)
The Regent was converted into a magnificent example of Art Deco
the former Regent Theatre (another of
smaller theatre c.1970. This space was design currently being converted into a
the O’Halloran Theatres) is
then twinned and renamed the Oasis world standard performing arts centre.
substantially changed but continues to
Cinema. The Oasis seats 150 and 170. From the day it opened in 1935 the
screen films. Also a design by Cowper,
Cinemeccanica projectors are used Town Hall operated as a cinema, five
Murphy & Associates, this 990 seat
with platter systems for film transport. days per week. Another of the
10 2002 CINEMARECORD