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NEW SOUTH WALES: NARELLAN: The eight-screen United ISLINGTON: The former (1928) Regent
Cinemas complex went to fully digital Theatre has been reborn as an indoor
NEWCASTLE: Thankfully no-one was projection in March. 35mm will be retained shopping bazaar featuring recycled goods
hurt when a large section of the decorative for retro screenings. and specialist retail stalls.
Wunderlich verandah at the Civic Theatre
came crashing to the pavement when unable KOGARAH: Closed since 2003, demolition
to cope with heavy rainfall from a wild storm of the derelict 4-screen Mecca Movie City
in February. (former 1920 Victory Theatre) is imminent.
A $21 million retail and residential high-rise
development is proposed for the site.

CROOKWELL: The old Goldsworth
Theatre building has received a $3,000 grant
from the 2011-12 Heritage Fund to restore
the front of the former theatre to its original
face brickwork.

LEICHARDT: Palace plan to add four
luxury screens to their existing complex.

MORISSET: Once in regular cinema use,
MUDGEE: Unable to find someone to lease movies may return to the council-owned
and manager the mothballed Regent Theatre, Memorial Hall with a committee keen to
owner Peter Freedman will auction the run classic programs complete with tea,
LISMORE: The vintage Star Court heritage-listed property on April 15 with two cakes and scones.
Theatre has had many incarnations. Opened suggested designs for residential conversion-
by T.J Morgan in July 1921, it presented both including possible demolition of the large DOUBLE BAY: Redevelopment of the
film and stage shows. In 1963 the stalls area auditorium. Local council have rejected calls former Stamford Hotel site will include an
was redeveloped into a shopping arcade with for them to purchase the Regent for a multi- independent five screen cinema complex,
the cinema retained in the old dress-circle. purpose arts centre, and have opted to spend reportedly for Palace Cinemas.
In 1980 Birch, Carroll and Coyle operated $3.6 million on rejuvenating the old Town
it as Cinema Lismore until they exited for Hall – itself once an early cinema venue. AVOCA BEACH: The beachside (1951)
their new multi-screen complex. Now the Avoca Beach Theatre celebrated its 60
th
Star Court has again been rejuvenated and LITHGOW: The former Theatre Royal Birthday on December 4, 2011 with a
presents a diet of regular art-house films, live is for sale at $1 million. Converted into a nostalgia program of live entertainment as
theatre and music. nightclub/restaurant, it features a sunken well as the Debbie Reynolds film classic Two
dance floor, bar and commercial kitchen Weeks with Love.
GREEN SQUARE: Palace Cinemas are – with the stage, dressing rooms, balcony
keen to open a 12-screen complex. seating for 411 and bio-box in situ. SYDNEY: Renovation work continues at
the (1929) State Theatre and removal of
scaffolding has revealed a renovated façade.
Plans are to extend the limited stage area to
allow for greater live use as a fully equipped
lyric theatre.

MURWILLUMBAH: Just in time for
Christmas, the Regent Cinema stepped into
the modern age with the installation of digital
projection. The original 35mm machines have
been operating since the theatre opened in 1945.
For the first time, the Regent will also featured
as a venue in the 2012 Byron Bay International
Film Festival held March 2-11.

6 2012 CINEMAREC ORD