Page 27 - CinemaRecord #83

showbiz SWAN HILL

cinemas By Ian Sheen

wan Hill is a border town situated on the
SMurray River some 389km from
Melbourne. It now has a population of 9800,
and is the regional services centre for a wide
area (both sides of the river). Various rural
industries including fruit, dairying, grazing and
wool are to be found in the area. It is the
terminal for V/Line passenger rail services and,
because of the Swan Hill Pioneer Museum,
there is a strong tourist business.
Swan Hill once supported the large Regent
Cinema and the Swanline Drive-in theatre but
since the closure (c. 2006) of the Oasis Twin
Cinemas (formerly the Regent) there has not
been a regular cinema in Swan Hill.

Twilight Cinemas screened occasionally in the
Swan Hill Town Hall and operated pop-up
cinemas in various outdoor locations over the Image: Ian Sheen
years. The directors of Twilight Cinemas
decided to establish a small triple screen venue
which was named Showbiz Cinemas, opening ramp on the right hand side leads up to the servers, Dolby CP750 audio processors, QSC
26 December 2013. central corridor between Cinemas 2&3 and the amplifiers and Krix speakers. The audio
larger Cinema 1. Each cinema has a small systems in Cinemas 2&3 are 5.1 whilst the
The Showbiz Cinemas comprise three screens vestibule. The toilets and storage areas are at main Cinema 1 is 7.1.
that have been constructed within two shops. the rear of the building under the rake of
The conversion of the shops to cinemas took Cinema 1. The cinemas are wheelchair The cinemas are generally operated by one
an amazingly short time – five and a half weeks. accessible. person, and run multiple screenings daily in
school holidays; otherwise Wednesdays to
The entrance to the cinema foyers is through Each cinema is well constructed with patron Sunday and public holidays.
the right hand shop frontage. A tiny candy bar comfort in mind. The modern auditoria are
and ticket office is on the left hand side. A wide, well raked with stepped rows of smart This venue is a perfect business model for
looking seats. All smaller communities and could easily be
cinemas have a copied elsewhere. H
Former Regent Theatre. Image: CATHS Archivee common décor
theme with Swan Hill - Showbiz Cinemas
maroon seats and Shop 3 / 43 McCrae Street
dark brown wall
colours.
Exhibitor: Swan Hill Cinemas Pty Ltd t/as
Showbiz Cinemas (Andrew Taylor, Chris
The latest digital Jones and Trevor Johnson)
projection and
sound systems Opened: 26 December 2013
have been Architect: Aidan Halloran, ITN Architects
installed. Cinema Builder: Nathan Condelly
1 seats 120, whilst
Cinemas 2&3 each
Opening films: The Hobbit – Desolation of
have 35 seats. The Smaug, Anchorman 2, Frozen, Cloudy with
e q u i p m e n t a Chance of Meatballs 2, Secret Life of
includes NEC
Walter Mitty, The Railway Man, Saving Mr
NC900 projectors, Banks
Qube V5 digital

The Cinema and Theatre Historical Society of Australia Inc. is proud to have the Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many
thanks to member Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue and staff for CATHS meetings and events.
For program and venue hire inquiries Tel: 9362 0999. www.suntheatre.com.au info@suntheatre.com.au

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