Page 31 - CinemaRecord #87

it saw a series of closings and openings under This policy seems to have been highly
different lessees, including David Alton and successful, for the Regent also hosts special
Ian Stewart in 1985 and Mr and Mrs Ted events, such as pizza nights, Meet the Author
Bridgeham in 1992, then Sasha Reimers in Book Talks, Not So High Teas, and choral
1996; but at least it reverted to its original concerts. There are also film festivals, classic
name of Regent. Mr Reimers found that a lot screenings, and international and unusual films
of equipment had been stolen while the theatre from overseas, including China; as well as
was disused, but he had plans to divide the selected commercial films, such as the recent
cinema into two small screens of 200 and 150 Hunger Games, The Water Diviner and Gone
patrons each. This did not eventuate. Girl. The Regent certainly is a community
theatre.
In 1992 it received unwelcome competition
with the opening of a small cinema in an The upstairs lounge has been returned to its art
industrial area, calling itself the Cinema deco glory, there is a huge and well-stocked
Centre, but operated for only a few years. candy bar which includes coffee and cakes,
and the outdoor patio is very popular at night
After another period of closure, the Regent for a coffee before the film.. In fact, the patio
reopened under new owners, the Flannery has itself, at times, been used for outdoor
family, around 2011, who introduced a policy screenings. As well, the theatre is licensed.
of art and boutique programming, which has
helped the cinema to survive. With only one The Regent is approaching its 70 birthday
th
screen, many commercial films are simply not and still dominates the streetscape,
available to the Regent before going onto notwithstanding the construction of a Coles
DVD. The projection and sound equipment supermarket complex nearby. Long may she
was renewed in 2012 and now features the continue do so. ê
latest in digital projection and 5.1 surround
sound.
The spacious candy bar

Opening night advertisement - Tweed Daily
26 May 1947 (Trove)

Images:
Les Tod
CATHS Archive

CINEMARECORD # 87 31