Page 7 - CinemaRecord #87

The whole is tastefully treated in tuneful
colours….
“The electrically operated curtain is of a royal
blue and gold setting, tapestries of which
harmonise with the pleasing surroundings…”
The Newcastle Sun reported of the opening:

THE NEW REGENT
HERBERT’S THEATRE OPENING

“Herbert’s new Regent Theatre will be
officially opened by Alderman Young, Mayor
of Wickham, next Monday night. The new
building stands on the site of the old theatre …
and is fitted with all the latest luxuries of a
modern show house…. The theatre has a very
imposing aspect and has greatly added to the
appearance of the portion of the street on
which it stands…. Mr Herbert had struck a
very distinctive note in the theatre furnishings.
The front circle chairs, which are wide and
upholstered in rich figured material, give every
element of comfort…
“The whole theatre, both interior and exterior,
has been treated with classical effects, which
Above: The proscenium and auditorium c. 1950, and below during the CATHS visit in 2015.
are very spectacular and give the necessary
Civic Theatre in the city proper, the dignity to the building…”
Newcastle Herald reported: “Access to the dress circle is gained from the
vestibule by an easy flight of stairs, done out And the Herald, on the actual opening night
THE NEW REGENT – in grey terrazzo. The floor of the circle is NEW REGENT – THE OFFICIAL OPENING
IMPOSING BUILDING terraced, following a radius struck from the “Great crowds thronged Herbert’s new
HERBERT’S NEW THEATRE centre of the screen… The seating is laid out Regent Theatre … So great was the crush to
to seat 1600 persons, including gain a seat that the police had to control the
“For as long as many readers will care to accommodation for 540 in the dress circle...” crowds and the doors had to be closed to stem
remember, there stood on the corner of “The ceiling is of a distinctive design of a the rush. Thus the theatre was quickly filled.
Beaumont-street and Maitland-road a prosaic coved formation, set out in rather massive …
– and in recent years – rather drab building mock beams with ornamental fibrous plaster The Mayor of Wickham considered it a
which, for years served as a place of and pierced pattern panels, diminishing privilege to perform the opening ceremony of
entertainment to the motion picture enthusiasts towards the proscenium … The proscenium such a magnificent theatre. He congratulated
of Islington and the surrounding districts… presents a very refined and stately setting with Mr Herbert on his enterprise in building a
“The Regent, which has a frontage of 85 ft to its massive fluted columns, exhibiting a very theatre which the Mayor said compared
Maitland-road … bears a quiet, dignified neat and complete presentation of the Grecian favourably with any in the Newcastle district
appearance, expressive of quality in itself. Ionic order of architecture. The elliptical
Following the latest custom, the vestibule is arch, which is sprung from its entablature, has “… Mr Herbert said no doubt many of those
shielded from noise, wind and dust by three the crown worked out in an artistic system of present knew the history of the Islington
groups of Queensland maple folding plate perforated filigree work, with an appropriate theatre. Almost twenty years ago, on the piece
glass doors, which follow the radius of the centre ornament in the form of that ancient of ground where the new Regent is erected,
rounded corner of the building in a setting musical instrument, the lyre. Set in panels on there was a time when he had to depend upon
between massive ornamental columns. The either side are two large flower vases, which the weather before he could show pictures.
effect is very imposing and adds to the dignity complete the appearance of a dignified setting. Now he had probably one of the nicest theatres
of an important street corner. in the Newcastle district.
“The façade is boldly treated in a classical
manner, featuring the complete roman Tuscan
order of architecture. It has cement facing,
with a dark brick relief which will gain in effect
from the flood lighting at night. A large
electric sign, displaying the rising sun
formation, which is mounted on the parapet
above the entrance, will serve as a prominent
landmark…
“The interior of the auditorium presents a
distinctly charming and rich tone, suggesting
comfort and spaciousness from all quarters…
Considerable attention has been given to the
film projection on to the screen, and evidence
here presents itself of the desire to originate
rather than to imitate. The projection room,
with all its heat, noise, glare etc, has been
placed on the ground floor, completely away
from the audience. The main advantage
gained by the departure is the elimination of
distortion on the screen by the avoidance of
steep projections.

CINEMARECORD # 87 7