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Tasmanian
Tasmanian

Holiday
Holiday

By Brian Hunt

hilst the idea was to have a
Wholiday in Tasmania with my
wife, I figured there would be an
opportunity to take an occasional photo
of cinema buildings. I concentrated on
older buildings and whilst some of
these have been taken in the past by
The Princess was used as a Hoyts
other members, I thought an updated
cinema until 1969 and then converted
photo or two would not go astray. After three days in Launceston and
by the City Council for live theatre use.
Having travelled from Melbourne to many hours of walking and looking at
Devonport on the car/passenger ferry all the local attractions, we headed for
The Spirit of Tasmania we arrived early Swansea which is on the East Coast
morning on Monday 8th March. (Great Oyster Bay) and is 137 km north
east of Hobart. On the way we passed
Devonport is situated 278km north-
through Scottsdale and found time for
west of Hobart where we found the
some photos of the former Lyric
former Star Cinema/Cinema One is
Theatre which is currently up for sale.
now occupied by “Something Else”, a
Renovated for retail use, its once lovely
retail store which sells Giftware and
auditorium has now been gutted.
Pine Furniture. The interior has been
kept in excellent condition. A false At the seaside village of Swansea
ceiling has been erected in the stalls the former Regent Theatre (Town Hall)
area and a further showroom upstairs is also looked to be in excellent shape.
accessed via a stairway in what would
have been the front stalls. The former
Majestic in the main street survives as
Launceston Princess
retail space; the Starlite/Village Drive-
In Theatre site is now a holiday and The nearby National Theatre was
industrial park. The town is currently built in 1915 as a live venue and the
served by “C-Max” a modern four exterior appears in good condition. It is
screen complex. now used by a printing company, but
most of the auditorium has been retained.
Launceston is now served by the
Village 4 complex, but once also had Swansea Regent
the Majestic, Tatler/Cinema One; After two days of relaxing in
Invermay Star; Lyceum (now all in Swansea we headed south and stayed at
retail use) as well as the Village Drive- Kingston (south of Hobart) for three
In and the stunning art-deco Plaza days. The camera had a rest from
(both now demolished). taking photos of cinemas until we
reached Queenstown which is 256km
North-West of Hobart.

Devonport Star

Leaving Devonport we travelled on
to Launceston which is 198km north of
Hobart. Here the Princess Theatre is
now a live theatre venue and a season
of Les Miserables was about to open.

Launceston National

20 2010 CINEMARECORD