Page 16 - CR

Wellington’s
Macquarie

Theatre

By Janet Kaye

- The Theatre Beautiful -
Below: Former Mayfair Picture Theatre.
he Grand Gala Opening of the Projectionists were Len Payne and
TMacquarie Theatre, in Swift Julius Garcia with Assistant Operators
Street, Wellington (NSW) was on Jack Burness and Frank Garcia.
Saturday at 7.30pm on May 21, 1938. Construction of the building was
It was an exciting occasion for the commenced in December 1937 with
citizens of this Central NSW country plans from the architects, Herbert
town, whose motion-picture Wilson & Pynor of Sydney
entertainments had been previously incorporating many new features for
provided by the somewhat more owner, Harry Taylor of “Macquarie
primitive Mayfair and Monarch Hall Stud Farm”.
Below: The Monarch Theatre burns down.
Theatres - as well as the Open-Air The Macquarie was a brick
Picture Show that had been conducted building with a central entrance up
on the site of the new ultra-modern several steps. Licensed to seat 903
Maquarie Picture Theatre. patrons, it featured two levels, allowing
The Managing Director was for an upstairs Dress Circle and Front
Gertrude Wharton who succeeded to the and Back Stalls at ground level.
position on the death of her husband, The seating had the reputation of
Paul. The House Manager was Phil being the most comfortable in the
Crane, known also for his work with the Western NSW and was supplied by
Wellington Theatrical Society. A.N. Thompson Latex Co.
Below: Demolition of the Open-Air Pictures.

16 2011 CINEMARECORD