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The Macquarie Theatre in 1938
The beautiful carpet throughout the Opening Night seats prices were - The usherettes of the Macquarie
theatre was supplied by Anthony Circle: two shillings & sevenpence (2/7 upheld their reputation of being “very
Hordern of Sydney. Who can forget the = 26 cents), Back Stalls: two shillings courteous, efficient and the essence of
Anthony Hordern catalogues sent far and one pence (2/1 = 22 cents), Front attraction in the uniform dress”.
and wide all over NSW to city and Stalls: one shilling (1/- = 10 cents) and The usherette service was regarded as
country customers? Children: one shilling & threepence being on par with Australia's leading
The usual proscenium was changed (1/3 = 14 cents). city theatres. “Their graciousness is
when planning the Macquarie to a The Usherettes on this Gala night something for which Gertrude Wharton
specially designed device which were Jean Cobb, Daphne Gibbs, may well take a bow” wrote L. Wade in
allowed the curtain to completely Patricia Commins, Joan Sullivan and 1948.
disappear behind the movie screen. Noelene Mears.
The interior ceiling and walls were
broken into a series of coves concealing
all the lighting which was supplied and
fitted by Claude Neon.
Mad About Music was the film
shown on Opening Night, starring
Deanna Durban, a most popular young
actress and singer.
CINEMARECORD 2011 17
