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CINEMA, THEATRE & •
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SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Ian Hanson Big changes behind the Regent façade.
Transformations
Beverly Hills: The twin cinemas on TASMANIA
Ray Peck
King Georges Road which closed in
September, are to reopen in 2008 as a A Short Life
boutique complex of five screens. Liverpools, which was to be
Katoomba: Three new cinemas for Hobart’s new concept in dining and
The Edge will increase program cinema (CR56) has closed. Inadequate
flexibility. Actors Geoff Paine, and Bill Hunter, about car parking is said to be a factor in its
to walk the Roxy red carpet
New Screens demise.
Charlestown (Newcastle): The State Plans
exhibitor for the cinema complex under The State North Hobart may add a
construction is not yet public fourth screen and book shop if approval
knowledge. Hoyts operates an eight- is granted.
screen complex in this suburb.
Rouse Hill: Reading will be the NEW ZEALAND
exhibitor at this nine-screen complex David Lascelles
(three Gold Lounges) under Openings
construction at the Town Centre. The
Upper Hutt: The Ascot Cinema
cinemas will open early in 2008.
Complex opened on 31 August. It has
four screens and seating capacities of
VICTORIA
130,120, 60 and 40.
Fred Page
Christchurch Central: Metro Gold
North-West Lights Up Class Cinemas were scheduled to open
The Rex Charlton officially became in late October. The three-screens are
community property on Friday 2 said to emulate the décor of the picture
November. Exactly one week later the palace era.
Roxy Ouyen, 200 km further north on In A Holding Pattern
the same highway also re-opened under
The Paramount Wellington was
community ownership.
passed in at tender. This didn't stop the
The rebirth of the Roxy was the
90th birthday celebrations by
culmination of four years work by
invitation-only guests.
Jenny Heaslip from Mildura TAFE and
the 250 volunteers she inspired to bring Readings Goes Shopping.
about the physical transformation. Reading’s property company has
Federal, State and Rural City grants purchased land in Wiri and Taupo. They
and public donations saw the project also bought the Octagon cinema
over the line. The restoration preserves Window at the Rex, Charlton complex in Dunedin, which makes
the 'tropical' lattice walls, which make them Hoyts landlord.
the theatre unique in Victoria. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Eviction Likely
Two congratulatory plaques were Colin Flint The tiny Metro Dunedin, where
presented; one from CATHS, the other Vale Regent CATHS members were royally
from the Rex committee. entertained on their 2005 visit, may be
Work on the former Regent Rundle
Rex Treasurer Haydn Jones said forced to close. The theatre is a tenant
Mall will include escalators to the first
that the district rallied and raised in the Town Hall annexe and the city
floor, which will become a giant
$91,000 within three weeks! wants to redevelop the space. Revoking
showroom for JB Hi Fi. The original
Lights Out at Dandenong ceiling and walls will stay. the lease will mean a big payout.
Village Dandenong closed 10 Much of the marble stairway from
October. No stampede in by other 1927, re-laid for the 1967 alterations,
exhibitors seems likely. may get a third life. The marble has
been stacked in a laneway.

CINEMARECORD 2007 5