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The Theatres
The Theatres of of

NARACOORTE
NARACOORTE

by PeterWolfenden

The Picture-Shows of a South Australian Country town

What’s in a name? What’s in the The first documented moving The paid advertisement placed by
spelling of a name? picture show in Narracoorte, took place Wybert Reeve, Proprieter and Manager
When researching material for an in the newly constructed Institute Hall of Adelaide’s Theatre Royal, claimed
article, one often comes across quirky in Smith Street where a Library and that 30 Life Pictures will be shown on
and sometimes fascinating side issues. Reading Room were opened in the evenings of 13th and 14th of July
We have all noted theatre name September 1876. A couple of months 1897 – including Royal Pageants to
changes when a theatre moved from later, the upstairs meeting hall was celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
showing silent films to sound, or when completed and this was the venue for Quaintly, the advertisement also
theatre ownership altered. one of the earliest large events in the advised that the show’s start would be
town. (The original Institute, a small delayed to 8.15pm to allow patrons
This occurred in the case of the
timber building, was located further travelling by train from Wolseley to
Narracoorte Austral when it changed
along Smith Street, on the site of the arrive in time for commencement of the
to the Naracoorte Rivoli. (2) (3)
present police station.) show!
Nothing really unusual here?
A change of operators brought
about the new theatre name. But note
the spelling of the town’s name.
Naracoorte started life as
Narracoorte and it took many years for
the new spelling to be accepted by all
residents – especially the editor/owner
of the Narracoorte Herald, the local
newspaper! At some point in time,
perhaps in the early 1900s, Government
dropped one of the ‘r’s (maybe in the
interest of the economy by saving ink!) Above: Mechanics Institute in 1897.
but the locals weren’t too enthusiastic, Top: Naracoorte Austral. circa 1944.
especially the Herald which rigorously Right: Naracoorte Herald 9th July 1897.
retained two ‘r’s until it was sold to
The Narracoorte Herald advised
James Thomson in 1948!
that:
So, out of respect for the Caldwell … “the residents of the district have a
Brothers of the Narracoorte Herald, treat in store for them on Tuesday and
who contributed greatly to the district, I Wednesday evenings next when the
will maintain the original spelling in Lumiere Cinematographe will be
this article up to the 1935 opening of exhibited for the first time in
the purpose-built Austral Picture Narracoorte.”
(1)
Theatre.

18 2010 CINEMARECORD