Page 35 - CinemaRecord #77C

Two small frontage shops are located on
each side of the theatre entrance. Their brass
framed show windows topped by opaque
leadlight windows are a striking feature.

The theatre roofline is of a skillion design and is
surprisingly modern in look, considering the age
of the building. Parallel chord oregon trusses
support the roof. The roof was originally clad
in corrugated iron but it is now steel decked.
In 1932 large portions of the roof were blown
across the street in a storm. Entry foyer with Stalls doors and stairs to Circle foyer.
The auditorium has two levels with the stalls Catwalks were built from the lower circle,
space continuing under the rake of the clear along each side of the theatre to exits on each
spanned balcony. The deep downstairs crush side of the proscenium.
space (foyer) leads to timber paneled, bi-fold
doors opening into the stalls. To the left of The extensive use of decorative pressed
the front entrance is a staircase leading to metal panels and cladding throughout the
the upstairs foyer; the walls of which were theatre provided a contrast to the plain
decorated with timber veneers. plasterwork. Pressed metal has been
fixed to the entire auditorium stepped-
A ticket box was located under the rake of down ceiling.
the stairs. A pram room, switch room, an
office, and a ladies cloakroom were also These panels are of varying designs and sizes.
situated in this general area. Access to the Pressed metal designs also clad the front of
right hand side sweets shop was also made the balcony and catwalks, the upstairs foyer Foyer ceiling.
from the foyer. and office as well as the saw tooth ceiling
of the downstairs crush space. The panelled
A second ticket box office was located in the verandah ceiling has since been replaced
upstairs foyer. This very unusual feature was with a modern cladding. The imitation
located near the access stairs on the left-hand columns and crossbeam of the proscenium
wall and was part of the manager’s office. are also sheeted in metal.

The rectangular auditorium is lined with A large “R.P.T.” logo is affixed to the
unadorned hard plaster. A wide cross aisle crossbeam. The Wunderlich Company most
into front and rear circles divides the circle. likely fabricated the sheets in Melbourne.

Auditorium ceiling.

Proscenium detail.

CINEM AREC ORD 2013 35