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Faced with competition from nearby Today, the theatre remains a major
St.Kilda Palais and the Melbourne St.Kilda landmark, regarded with great
Regent, the owners had decided to affection by the area’s older citizens
go for the top end of the market and who remember it as a popular picture-
introduced a grand central marble palace. It is also well recognized as an
staircase, barrel-vaulted mezzanine and important community resource.
better facilities.
Films are still shown, though using
Originally owned by a consortium digital technology – the carbon arc
including Francis W. Thring (father of projectors transferred from the Regent
the actor) from Estee Films, the Victory many years ago still sit in the bio box.
The Victory Theatre in St Kilda became a Hoyts theatre until sold to The The current theatre, using the dress-
(then a 2550-seat cinema) was National Theatre Group in 1971. circle as an auditorium, now seats 800.
available and work commenced on
the conversion very quickly, with The National Theatre conversion of the After many trials and tribulations, the
the Performing Arts Schools moving empty cinema attracted press articles National Theatre Group had finally
into the former stalls area in 1972. in major architecture magazines found their home and today, remain
from around the world. What to do happily ensconced there-in! +
Above them sat a dress-circle without a with thousands of derelict and empty
stage as the company was out of funds. cinemas was a pressing problem Note: Most of this information was taken from
and most were simply demolished. Frank van Straten’s book: National Treasure
The Victory was a built as a cinema Conversions were rare. Thanks again Frank!
in 1920/21 seating 3000 people in
a long rectangular hall with a small The triumphant recycling of the Photo’s and National theatre press clippings
balcony – much like a Town Hall. Victory into the National Theatre provided by the Author.
In 1928 the roof was raised and the was celebrated on 7th September 1974
dress-circle considerably enlarged. when the new theatre opened with a
Major changes were made to the Gala Charity Performance attended by
Foyers and Crush Hall but the overall Premier Richard Hamer and Governor
capacity was reduced to 2550. Sir Henry Winneke.

Victory - now as The National Theatre.

CINEMAREC ORD 2011 33