Page 17 - CinemaRecord #76C

Proscenium, 2000.

Opening in the day of the “silent movies”, the The local High School also made good use of
films were accompanied by musical pieced the building, holding debutant balls, Speech View from Bio-Box, 2000.
by a local pianist who would play appropriate Nights, and its Music Festival in the 1970s.
music to fit the mood of the film.
Over more recent years, the auditorium has
When the movies finally found their voice, been leased as retail space housing various
the first “talkie” was screened at the Wattle businesses. Despite the years, little has
in July 1931. Films screenings continued on changed inside the Wattle auditorium - the
a regular basis until 1960. stage and decorated proscenium remain.
Even some old cinema seats lined the side
The previous year the theatre had been walls until recently.
purchased by St.George’s Anglican Church
and once the picture-show closed down, it The old projection room also remains – these
was then known as St.George’s Hall. days, sitting empty and silent, watching over Stage to rear, 2000.
a different scene and perhaps waiting for a
The building would also become the venue chance to one day relive the magic that the
for the Westernport Light Opera Society. movies had provided for many years. H
Formed in 1968, some of their productions
at the former Wattle included The Merry
Widow; Oklahoma and Brigadoon – all
of which would have previously graced
the Wattle’s silver-screen instead of
its live stage!

Projection Room, 2000.

Wattle Theatre interior, late 1920s. Note the WT monogram under the screen and piano for silent movie accompaniment.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 17