Page 21 - CR

On December 6 1909 the Adelaide Register
th
reported:
“The Adelaide Town Hall again proved too
small on Saturday evening to accommodate
all of the large crowd which wished to see
West’s Pictures. This evening West’s Pictures
will re-open the Olympia in Hindley Street
which has recently undergone extensive
renovations and alterations which will be
appreciated by its patrons.”

In 1992, the late Bob Wilson, projectionist
at Wests until it closed in 1977, recalled
When asked ‘What about the other theatrical in an ‘on-camera’ interview: “During my
enterprises with which you were associated?’ time at Wests I witnessed downstairs in the
he replied: “Recognising that the picture catacombs under the front foyer, the original
industry was destined to loom large in the dressing rooms and greenroom of West’s
estimation of the public my old friend T. J. West Olympia with murals on the walls, fireplaces
over three years ago induced me to abandon even still had the last ashes of fire…..
all other forms of amusement enterprises in West’s was a showplace not just of this state
favour of the present combination – that is but Australia.”
West’s Pictures– which is undoubtedly the
biggest of its kind in the world I have no With the finest picture-hall in the
cause to regret the step I took. Commonwealth, a large stage and a Vice-
Regal orchestra, West’s was now capable of
In 1909 the renovations were major: showing full stage presentations.
the seating arrangement altered from
facing east to west, a new stage, Top Photos: Remodelled entrance hall and
green-room and dressing rooms were Sweets Bar. Below: Painted wall panels.
added, and the seating was raked with each
row 7-inches higher than the one in front of it.
All seats (except the 6d ones) were imported
tip-ups. The biograph machine was in a
fire-proof apartment about 140ft from the
screen and the walls decorated with murals.

Sydney architect Mr J Kirkpatrick was
entrusted with the work. Geach said:

“The Directors of West’s are more than
pleased at the heroic way in which Adelaide
patrons have supported the show, and put
up with all sorts of unavoidable discomfort
during the rearrangement of the seating.
When the alterations are finished, the
building will be the finest picture hall,
not only in Adelaide, but the whole of the
Commonwealth. Patrons who pay 6d., 1/,
and 2/, will obtain an uninterrupted view of
the screen.”

During these renovations, West’s Pictures
returned to the Adelaide Town Hall. After
the renovations, the Olympia reopened - a
year after its first opening.

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