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Robert McLeish
Courtesy of the Arts Centre, Performing
Arts Collection, Melbourne.
Robert McLeish and His First
Rivoli
Since 1921 the name Rivoli has
lifted the standing of the Camberwell
Junction, a distinction which can be
attributed to one man.
Stylish and patrician in bearing,
with a wit honed on the vaudeville
stage, the young McLeish cut a dashing
figure, combining the looks of a film
star with a flair for business. A man
with more clout than his personal
theatre holdings might suggest,
McLeish developed an interesting
relationship with Hoyts, in which they
became co- investors in some theatres.
Robert McLeish was born in North
The Herald, Friday 13 May 1921
Melbourne in 1883, one of nine
children. As a child he sang in a church This was a hand, finger pointing to the
Robert McLeish Theatres
choir, liked it, and continued with his words ‘Front Stalls’ a direction to those
Usually first lessee of a new
singing. He toured with many shows buying the cheapest seats who, after
theatre, McLeish also took control of
and appeared at the Tivoli, Melbourne. leaving the ticket box, had to walk
the Newmarket and Fairfield.
In 1905 McLeish leased the Prahran outside, down the lane and re-enter
*Theatres built for McLeish (with
Town Hall for McLeish’s Weekly Pops, through a side door. This may have
Hoyts involvement).
a mix of vaudeville and film, six nights been a ploy for better control of the
Northcote 1912
a week. Artists such as Roy Rene rowdy elements at the Junction, but its
performed in these shows. Newmarket 1917 downside was the winter months, when
After adding five more town halls to Clifton Hill 1918-21, 1932- every time the door opened, those
his circuit, McLeish was loaned two Rivoli Camberwell* 1921 seated inside copped an icy blast.
hundred pounds by a hotelier friend Austral Collingwood* 1921 Bernie Turner who started work at
which enabled him to lease the new Fairfield 1930 the Rivoli in 1923 (see next story),
Northcote theatre and concentrate on Regal Hartwell* 1938 thought that the foyer was the best part.
films. By 1920 he controlled three It featured a central chandelier and a
Rivoli Hawthorn* 1940
theatres, and was ready to build the first flowing R set in the marble floor.
Junction Theatres managed
Rivoli. One story was that after the theatre
Our Theatre/Broadway, Camberwell
Because it was such an closed, the chandelier was broken up
for Associated Theatres/Hoyts, from
improvement on Hollands, the Rivoli and the crystals sold as individual
1924 - 43.
was an immediate success. The exterior pieces.
and foyer were impressive; otherwise Robert McLeish visited America
the theatre was no advance on earlier Long after it had closed, one and England in 1929 in the company of
designs. The bio-box was at stalls level, example of the sign-writer’s craft F. W. Thring. While in New York he
and remained so, the curtains were remained on the side-wall, bemusing purchased RCA talkie equipment for
hand-pulled, and the lavatories for stalls shoppers who passed it on their way up his theatres and returned home prepared
patrons were out-houses at the rear. the lane to the Camberwell Market. for the changes ahead.

CINEMARECORD 2006 19