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The Regent dominates its surroundings. The year is c. 1937.

policy was that the Regent ‘would show The spacious interior of the theatre Clearly the exterior of this theatre
nothing but clean pictures’. featured a large ceiling dome, and a deep owed much to the American model of
In a Building magazine editorial the proscenium with columnated wings. the day, but the interior seemed to be
Regent facade was described as An unusual feature was the use of a pure White. The New York Regent
‘Egyptian in form and Renaissance in large expanse of small pane glazing opened in 1913, also on a corner site,
feeling’. It is a good example of its between the columns; this was backlit but there is no other similarity.
kind, and one, which a much more with 60 coloured globes, the colour
important city than Geelong might well being chosen to complement the
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be proud to possess. program. White would repeat this
‘As is often the case where the multi-pane effect in the Palais, St.Kilda
street frontage is required for shop five years later. And like the Palais, the
display and there is an awning also, the theatre was a bit too long and narrow to
base is disappointing, otherwise the be considered an ideal proportion.
proportions are good and the ornament Large ventilation grills were located
is well disposed. within the proscenium arch and in the
‘The heavy cornice and the deep dome of the under rake ceiling at the
recessing of the large window are back of the stalls. The auditorium was
successful in obtaining an appearance attractively adorned with intricate
of extreme solidarity and permanence plasterwork in the classical fashion to
suitable and desirable in a building of be found in most of Henry White’s
this size and importance. The side theatres.
elevation of the building, however, is A horseshoe-fronted balcony
not beautiful; the openings of different extended to the front of the
sizes and at different levels being as proscenium's outer arch. The inner
awkward in effect as is the break in the proscenium arch was tall and narrow,
horizontal line which bisects this also in the usual White Style. The blocky exterior of the Chicago
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façade.’ Theatre; a style transposed to Geelong.

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