Page 35 - CinemaRecord #86

FERNY LANE THEATRE, NORFOLK ISLAND by Geoff Gunst

Norfolk Island lies in the Pacific Ocean some played to over 1300 patrons over a number of
1412 km due east of Brisbane. The island is part sessions.
of the Commonwealth of Australia, and enjoys
a large degree of self-governance. Together Whilst talking to Monica and Ian, Ian said that
with two neighbouring islands, it forms one of he is there for Friday and Saturday evening
Australia's external territories. It has 2,300 screenings, and Monica does Sundays. I
inhabitants living on a total area of about 35 sq. cheekily asked, “Where are you on Sundays?”.
km, and its capital is Kingston. It was colonised His answer, “playing rugby” brought a laugh
by Great Britain as part of its settlement of from me, for which I apologised next time I saw
Australia in 1788. The island served as a convict him. He is now 82, plays league for the Norfolk
penal settlement until May 1855, except for an Mutineers on the Island on Sundays, and goes
11-year hiatus between 1814 and 1825, when it to Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast every year
was abandoned. In 1856, permanent civilian to play Union with the “Creaky Old Convicts”.
residence on the island began when 193 Monica showed me a great colour photograph
inhabitants of Pitcairn Island were transported of Ian in motion (catching a passing ball). He
to Norfolk. In 1901, the island became a part of looked pretty good (“very good pins”). I was
the Commonwealth of Australia. told by one of his neighbours that he goes out
walking every day along the cliffs.
During our recent visit to Norfolk Island, we
attended the Ferny Lane Theatre to see Grand Ticket prices for the movies are $14 for adults
Budapest Hotel. On talking to the Proprietors, and $7 for children. The candy bar sells chips,
Ian and Monica Anderson, we realised there is ice cream etc., and a glass of good red or white.
a very interesting story.

being completed in May. An interior feature
was the ruby glass louvred windows with a
floating design. The Federalette reopened as
the Vanity Theatre on Saturday 16 May 1953,
screening The Quiet Man (Republic Pictures).
In an opening address, Alderman K. Asford
said, “The opening of a third picture theatre in
Lismore is indicative of the progress of the city
during the last seven or eight years. The Vanity
is the remodelled Federalette. The name
“Vanity” was chosen by T.J. Dorgan’s mother.
The Vanity is luxuriously appointed in the
carpeted foyer, and the seats are finished with
leather over foam rubber.”
Films at the Vanity consisted mostly of move-
over features from the Vogue or 3 rd Star
Court theatres. I recall seeing Quo Vadis
(MGM) whilst on vacation in Lismore, and had
previously seen the film at the Vogue.
Norfolk Island’s Ferny Lane Theatre. Image: Jim Barrand
When the Vanity was de-licensed on
13 November 1964, its long and varied career Ian had a fuel depot in Brisbane and, whilst on In the auditorium, the seats consist of a unique
was over. It had presented virtually every form holidays on Norfolk Island, decided it would be collection of lounge chairs, 2-seater couches
of entertainment from boxing to concerts, balls, a good place to live in their pre-retirement years. (front stalls) and plastic chairs (back stalls).
dances, pantomimes, plays, vaudeville, A Department Store was their choice of More chairs are stacked nearby in case of large
waxworks and opera, from lantern slides to business after selling the Brisbane Depot in crowds.
moving pictures, talkies, colour and finally 1987. In 2006, they purchased a business,
widescreen and CinemaScope. It had been a trading under the name “World Traders” at the I hope for their sake that their Saturday and
microcosm of Lismore entertainment, both live roundabout in the centre of town , and began Sunday screenings had bigger audiences for
and filmed. The building was totally destroyed turning the original building into a theatre. Grand Budapest Hotel as, when we attended on
by fire on 31 July 1964. The site has remained Friday night, there were only two other couples.
vacant for 50 years, and is only now being Ian sings and (quote) “as there were not many In the colder weather, blankets are available, or
considered for construction of a four-storey parts for a 70 year old tenor”, they began writing bring your own blankets and winter coats.
office development by the Lismore City musicals. Monica writes the lyrics, and Ian sets
Council. ê them to Gilbert & Sullivan scores. Both act in Screening is via a DVD player under a licence
these presentations, as does their very good to screen at rental cost, comparable to a small
Acknowledgements: pianist who is written into the story to act as country exhibitor.
well as play the grand piano. So far, they have
Images from William Gray Collection, Les Tod performed 13 musicals. The theatre is set up for Ferny Lane Theatre, which has very good
Collection and CATHS Archive. their live stage show “Trial of 15”, with 2-3 acoustics, is also the home for Norfolk Island
Northern Star Newspapers. performances a week. Amateur Theatre Society. The week
Assistance from Les Tod for extensive research and commencing 27 September marked the 17 th
historical references. A large screen can be rolled down to turn the Norfolk Island Theatre Festival. «
building into a cinema. The first screening was
on 1 March 2007, when the movie Happy Feet

CINEMARECORD # 86 35