Page 30 - CinemaRecord #79

Brilliantly illuminated by electric light, the After purchasing the Empire in 1947, Stan
interior setting was of Oriental type, showing Clapham undertook extensive alterations
a palace in the distance. The hall was entered and reopened it on 6 June 1948 as the Civic
via a short lobby from the centre frontage of Theatre seating 710 people.
the building. Shops were located on each side
of this entrance. Major changes to the old flat-floored ballroom/
theatre included reversing the location of the
The theatre supported a variety of screen and projection room, and installing a
entertainments and social events including new raked, concrete floor in the rear part of
dances, fetes, parties and irregular film the auditorium.
screenings. In November 1930, new owner/ Clerestory windows were installed in the
manager Charles Wood advertised as the roofline in order to provide sufficient space for
Empire Theatre opening with a new gallery, the new larger screen and curtains at the front
ladies cloak room, lounge and refreshment of the building. The new projection room was
stall as well as a Western Electric projection a skillion roofed extension at the rear of the
plant. original building.
Talkies arrived at the Empire in January 1931 The front entrance was closed and two shops
but apart from a few screenings during 1944 were built along the frontage.
and 1945 there is no evidence of the Empire
screening on a regular basis. These alterations were designed and built by
a local builder, William R Golding, who had
Civic auditorium with canvas seats. also built the Embassy Theatre.
A new entrance lobby was added to the left
hand side of the auditorium at this time. It
was again extended to house a candy bar in
the 1970s. In an unusual arrangement, heavy
red curtains separated the foyer/candy bar area
from the auditorium.
Also on the left hand side of the building
was a garden area containing the separate
toilet facilities which could be accessed from
both the entrance lobby and the rear of the
auditorium.

The original projection room and office space
remained in situ above the former central front
entrance, and behind the new screen. Although
the Civic auditorium was divided into front,
centre and rear stalls, in its last years all seats
were sold at the same budget price level.

The Civic Theatre.

30 2013 CINEM AREC ORD