Page 31 - CR

At the end of 1961, after 23 years,
the National left Eastern Hill. The
administration and schools moved to
a leased property (316 Toorak Rd) to
await the completion of the renovations.
This building was also planned to be
used as a theatre as the upstairs could
seat around 200 people.

Disaster struck on Wednesday April 18
1962. The Village Theatre burnt almost
to the ground - and what was left had to
be demolished for structural reasons. It
was determined that an electrical fault
had caused the fire.

Bernard Evans was commissioned
to prepare plans for a new theatre
on the site to seat 1360. The cost of
the new building was estimated to be The Premier refused to see the National In September 1966 negotiations to
245,000 pounds - excluding seats & Theatre representatives and by July purchase the Princess Theatre in
furnishings. Plans were approved and 1964 the New Village was costed at the city were commenced, but the
tenders called. £400,000. National Theatre offer was deemed to
be “not substantial enough”. Instead
By May 1963 the cost had raised to At this point the building at 316 the Princess was leased for three years
360,000 with a completion date of Toorak Rd came on the market & was from February 1967.
September 1964. By September a tender purchased. The Theatrette renovations
of £376,000 was accepted. on the First Floor were completed and The Village Theatre site in Toorak
productions of plays, opera, musicals was sold in May 1967 and replaced
Given that the fire insurance on the and Gilbert & Sullivan commenced by the Trak Complex (cinema, shops,
Village Theatre was £75,000, a financial at a frantic pace. Meanwhile the New cabaret, offices and car park) which
crisis was developing and the Bolte Village Theatre project ground to a halt opened in 1969.
Government was approached to help. and the site remained empty.
There would be many more trials
and tribulations before the movement
would eventually find a permanent
home… but that is another story…
for another day! +

Note: Most of this information was taken
from Frank van Straten’s book National
Treasure. Thanks again Frank!

Newspaper clippings from Robert Taylor.

CINEMAREC ORD 2011 31