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Davies’ request for permission to open Our Theatre. The scene on his letterhead is still part of Camberwell.
Source: Melbourne Archives Centre

On the Crest of Camberwell Hill. pictures are finished of an evening. sprayed through the trellised vents, being
Entrance to the balcony is gained extracted from above and below the
The name Boroondara, which through the foyer, and the interior of the balcony so that there is always a gentle
formerly applied to the whole district, building impresses one at once. There is a but unobtrusive current of air in the
signified "out of the darkness into the strong suggestion of the dramatic theatre theatre, the method being known as the
light," and there was a feeling in local in the design. The balcony seats 850 “whirl” system, installed by Messrs. Long
circles that Camberwell had not emerged persons and is brought well over the and Denton. The proscenium, the
sufficiently out of the darkness. Now so arena below, so that it appears electrical screen and lighting effects
far as the picture industry is concerned it exceptionally close to the stage. It is very associated with it, which was installed by
is in a flood of light, and from its roomy and comfortably seated with the Faulkesley Electric Co., is one of the
elevation “Our Theatre” is a conspicuous upholstered tip-up seats. Altogether there latest innovations in picture theatres.
feature for a long distance around.
is sitting accommodation for 1800 people The scene represented is one typical
The design that was finally selected in the theatre. The arched ceiling is very of Australian life, with cultivated
was of the French Renaissance period fine and is lit by six Perfecta electric farmland, mountain and bush. At the
with a little of the Adam period lights of 4000 candlepower each. The touch of a button in the manager's office
introduced to give life and lightness to the ornate mouldings of the front of the the back picture slides back on either
general effect. The façade is splendidly balcony have been carried around the side, disclosing the white curtains, the
illuminated with flood lights. The interior walls, forming a waist-line, and roadside fences fold over the orchestra,
entrance hall gives direct access to the the windows above are curtained and and at the same time the lights in the
auditorium on either side of the operator's decorated to give the effect of stage house are gradually dimmed - like the
cabin. At either end of the hall stairways boxes, which is further heightened by the setting of the sun - so that the audience is
run up to the foyer - which in this presence of window boxes containing not plunged into sudden darkness or
instance will be known as “our cabaret.” poppies and chrysanthemums, which give subjected to eyestrain when the process is
This extends the whole width of the a note of color when illuminated by the reversed .
building and is handsomely finished and electric light.
furnished, with large arched windows and Flanking the stage are two large Extract from the Hawthorn and Camberwell
lit at night by shaded lights. It possesses a trellis screens for ventilation purposes. Citizen, 1 July 1921.
refreshment buffet and a piano, for it is to The air is drawn from the rear and
be used for dancing purposes when the

CINEMARECORD 2005 23