Page 17 - RD_2015_12

What Others Say
The Editor sought further comment
from others with a particular interest in
Regent theatres.
The respondents were Mr. Gavin
Drummond (Toowoomba) a former
producer of live theatre in regional
Queensland, Dr Ross Thorne (Sydney),
Architect and Social Architectural
Researcher and the author of the
definitive study on theatre design in
Australia, Mr. Les Tod (Sydney), a
respected writer for Kino and Dress
Circle magazines, Mr. Ian Williams
(Melbourne), a former Assistant
Manager at the Regent Collins Street
and cinema historian, and Mr. John
Thiele (Adelaide), known to many
CATHS members for his own Regent,
which includes items from South Yarra
and Adelaide. Here is a summary of
their opinions:
Brian Pearson’s article alluded to
Cedric Ballantyne's opportunity to fine-
tune the ideas he first used at South
Yarra before giving them ultimate
expression in the Regent, Adelaide.
Ross Thorne was interested in the
relationship between architect and
client for these theatres, a relationship
which accepted, or perhaps demanded
a duplication of style at different
locations.
Identical design and livery for petrol
and fast food outlets is the current way
of making services instantly
recognizable to potential customers. Dr
Thorne queried whether the similarities
in design seen in the Regents of South
Yarra, Ballarat, Sydney and Adelaide
were early examples of the same Top: Compare this foyer at the Regent, South Yarra with the image page 13.
thinking, or mere cost saving. Once a Above: The stage of the Regent, Ballarat, almost indistinguishable from South Yarra,
mould was made the more patterns was refined for Sydney and Adelaide. Images: BPC
poured the cheaper the product.
commission. Did he make a conscious Ian Williams supported this view.
Few picture-goers of the 1920s
decision not to use the Adelaide format, He noted that within the Hoyts
would know of the repetition, since
or did the client make it clear that a organization the Melbourne theatre was
interstate travel was rare by today's
new, American model was wanted? considered the flagship, and in its
standards. Dr Thorne singled out the
Dr Thorne concluded, ‘The Regents proportions and fittings deserves the
extraordinary similarities between the
of Brisbane and Melbourne were the accolade Regent of Regents. Although
lobbies of the Regents of Melbourne
richest of the Hoyts capital city flagship foyer to auditorium is a composite of
and Brisbane, even though these
theatres. The auditorium of Melbourne two designs, their integration is perfect.
buildings were the work of different,
was the grandest in its almost The inspiration for the interior is well
and proud men. In other
monumental design; Brisbane not quite known, but Ian wrote that the entrance
circumstances such copying would be
so, but it was extremely impressive, foyer is derived from the United
the subject of a law-suit. If there was
particularly for the exceptional paint Artists Theatre, Los Angeles, a fact
professional rivalry, it remained
technique - a slightly irridescent perhaps not so well known.
subterranean while the work for J.C.
bronzed finish. In all comparisons, personal
Williamson/Hoyts proceeded. Only
Overall, the complete building on preference trumps any rules. Brian
hitherto undiscovered correspondence
Collins Street - a sandwich of two Pearson was unimpressed by the marble
would reveal the true situation.
theatres - is unique, and possibly the staircase, in the Regent, Brisbane,yet
Ross Thorne also pondered the
most important picture theatre ever Gavin Drummond saw its scale and
artistic pressure placed on Ballantyne
constructed in Australia.’ positioning as superior to the
when he accepted the Melbourne
CINEMARECORD 2006 17