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Form and Function

By Ian Smith
The most literal distortion of the
adage that form should echo function
must surely be the exterior of Radio
station 2BH Broken Hill. All the
elements are there: a giant reproduction
of a mantel radio, complete with tuning
dial, on-off knob, volume and tone
knobs; a delightful example of pure
kitsch.
Radio in one sense is a linear
medium, the transmission and reception
of sound waves. If the architect had
chosen to design the studio in the form
of a giant microphone it would have
been a more accurate depiction of the
function of a radio studio. Instead he or
she chose to represent the reception end
of the process, because it was a shape
easier to meld into a workplace.
Now think your way into designing a
similar exterior for a theatre - any sort of
theatre, interpreting the word in its
broadest sense.
The word ‘theatre’ conjures a totally
embracing visual and aural experience, a
transmutation of stimuli not definable by
any single image. A stage isn’t
translatable into a recognizable façade.
A giant projector, especially one
from the era of carbon arcs, would be a
challenge of the highest order to make No wonder a theatre version of radio
into a work space, and its modern station 2BH hasn't been attempted;
version, every moving part contained in theatre is as much a state of mind as a
a cube, wouldn't be distinguishable on physical entity. On the other hand, if a
the street from any other building. In any reader has a picture of a theatre where
case, the projector, although vital, the intent was as literal as this, please
doesn’t sum up the feeling created for share it. ★
the audience.

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Inc. is proud to have
The Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many thanks to member
Mr Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue for
CATHS meetings and events.

For program and venue hire inquiries, contact Theatre Manager Ms Angela Murphy
on Tel: 9362 0999 ◆ Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au
◆
Email: angela@suntheatre.com.au

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

CINEMARECORD 2007 23