Page 37 - CinemaRecord #77C

Dress-Circle foyer/Meeting room.

Stairs to Circle foyer.

In February 1964, a large, self-contained
supper/meeting room was built at the rear
of the theatre facing Grant St. The upstairs
office/ticket box was removed and the entire
foyer converted into an exhibition space for
use local art groups.

In 1965 the Shire of Alberton dissolved The exterior facade of the theatre has The left-hand catwalk exit has been
the Public Halls Association and took over been finished in beige tonings. On closed and the right hand exit now
the responsibility for the Regent. In 1969 entering the front doors of the theatre an leads to a newly constructed fire
the Shire approved an extensive two-stage enlarged foyer is found. The old ticket box tunnel, which replaced the former
redevelopment plan for the theatre. under the stairs has been covered over. exterior stairs.

During 1971 various major works were New ladies, gents and disabled toilet A new surround sound system has been
completed including the extension of the facilities have been built on the left- installed in the auditorium and a new
stage into the auditorium, removal of the hand side of the foyer in part in the roll-down CinemaScope screen has
incline on the stage, installation of new, space formerly occupied by the shop. been fitted.
gold coloured stage curtains, painting of
the foyers and auditorium in beige tonings On the right hand side of the foyer the old
and the installation of a new ducted toilets and shop have been removed and
heating system. Modern light fittings a new refreshment and ticket kiosk now
were also installed. Toilets were installed occupies the space (with a direct hatch
off the downstairs foyer (at the rear of the servery into the auditorium).
right hand shop).
Disabled access is now possible by means of a
The Stage 2 plans were submitted to lift installed in the entrance to the former shop.
the Health Department in 1978 which An attractive Blackwood timber cladding has
proposed new toilet blocks at the front of been applied to the kiosk area and the support
the theatre (this would require the removal pillars in the foyer. Remodelled staff service
of the two theatre shops), the extension of areas and a new switchboard are located on
the stalls area into some of the foyer space the left side of the downstairs foyer.
and new exit stairs from the circle. These
plans were not implemented. The foyer has been decorated in blue and teal
tonings with off white ceilings. An attractive
With the amalgamation of the Alberton blue carpet has also been fitted. A timber
Shire into the larger Wellington Shire chandelier, thought to be originally installed in
(based at Sale) the future of the Regent 1930, has been featured on the foyer ceiling.
was in limbo for a time. The Council in Similar decorative themes have been used in
conjunction with the community conducted the upstairs foyer.
feasibility studies to ascertain the viability
of retaining and refurbishing the theatre. Downlights have been installed in the foyer
ceiling to augment the lighting provided
In 1996 the Wellington Council set up the by the original glass fittings. A small
Committee of Management for the theatre. kiosk area has also been included in the
This Committee proposed a three-stage foyer refurbishment.
renovation and refurbishment program
estimated to cost $500,000 - which The auditorium has been repainted in cream
was approved. with teal blue trim to the woodwork. Blue
carpet runners have been laid on the stairs and
Alterations to the building were commenced cross aisles. The seats at the front of the dress
in April 1998 and continued into January circle have been refurbished and recovered in
1999. During this period, with the exception blue/green vinyl whilst the rear circle seats
of the Yarram Eisteddfod, the theatre was remain in the former condition. The balcony
mainly closed to the public. now holds a total of 287 seats.

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