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advertising and spin. Ultimately the Williamstown Theatre, which itself had
Mechanics would drop out in the 1920s, with constant changes of lessees until the mid 1920s
Greeney’s Hall, Sailor’s Rest and West’s when it was taken over by Cledda Theatres
Pictures having departed the scene much and, later, Hoyts. (22)
earlier.
That same month, on 11 March 1922, Mr Foyle
Mr Foyle was still running Foyle’s Pictures at returned to the Empress, to run his Foyles
the Empress Pavilion in 1915 and would Pictures again. “Foyle’s Empress Theatre. Foyle’s
continue to do so for around another two Pictures return to the Empress Theatre. Foyle’s
years. (14) Strangely, in July 1916, it was Pictures have returned to Williamstown and
announced that: “On Wednesday night the full reopened at the Empress Theatre last Monday night.
programme from the Williamstown Theatre will be Judging by the large attendance each evening, the
transferred to the Empress Pavilion.” There is no reopening of the Pavilion on Monday Tuesday and
explanation as to why this would happen, and Wednesday is approved of by picture lovers.” (23)
it does not seem to happen again. (15)
In June that year, Foyle was advertising at two
locations, namely the Empress Theatre but
In March 1917, it was announced that the also at Williamstown Beach Theatre. This
Empress was under new management yet must have been the old Esplanade Hall, as it
again. (16)
could not have been an open air show because
it was running matinees. The Chronicle
With competition raging between the three advertised: “Foyles Attractions – films and
venues, all began to introduce vaudeville, and vaudeville, Empress Theatre and Williamstown
the Empress Pavilion advertised in September Beach Theatre.” (24)
1917 that: “Vaudeville and pictures. To supply a
popular demand, the new management will In November 1922, Foyle’s was still at the
introduce three or four variety acts with a Star Empress and Williamstown Beach. (25) Yet by
picture programme.” (17)
January 1923, the Empress had undergone
another change of management, this time the
The theatre continued to be advertised as the
return of Mr W Dark, who had been its first
Empress Pavilion. In January 1918, it was projectionist. (26)
advertised that new plant had been installed
and, if the weather was hot, films were to be Around March 1923, (27) the Newport Theatre
shown in the adjacent open air. (18)
and the Empress came under the same control,
that of Mr W J Dark and, in 1924, he was
While the Empress continued to advertise,
advertising them both as W J Dark’s Empress
strangely an advertisement on 30 August 1919 and Newport Theatres. (28) Boxing took place
stated that the Grand Opening Attraction was at the theatre, along with vaudeville
Civilisation, (19) yet the theatre did not seem to entertainment, in February 1924. (29)
have closed, being advertised right through the
previous month. Perhaps the remark was A promotion in March 1925 raised many
attributed to new management? It is one of eyebrows, when both the Newport and
many puzzles associated with the Empress. In Empress theatres advertised that on
September 1919, it was: “The new theatre with Wednesday night, 11 March: “A Real Live Baby
the new pictures.” (20)
will be given away at each Theatre after interval to
By June 1920, the proprietors were advertising the patron sitting in a certain seat in the
as Maucum and D’arcy, lessees. It was also audience.” (30) As a result, full houses were Advertisement: Williamstown Chronicle 30 August 1919
referred to as the Empress Theatre, the word assured. However, the following week the caused much mirth and laughter, an example
‘Pavilion’ now being used infrequently. (21) Chronicle reported that a baby suckling pig of typical showmanship of the era. (31)
Maucum and D’arcy were still the lessees in was wheeled on stage in a perambulator,
March 1922. They were also the lessees at the dressed in a baby gown and bonnet, which Sometime after that, and prior to May 1926,
both the Newport and the Empress were taken
The Empress auditorium c. 1939
over by Cledda Theatres Pty Ltd. Whether
Mr Dark had any involvement in Cledda is not
known. In February 1926, it was reported that
Cledda had again donated a handsome cup to
the Town’s Best Player. (32) Cledda took over
the lease of the Williamstown Theatre in
October 1926 from Mr D’arcy, giving them
control of the Empress and the Williamstown
as well as the Newport Theatre. (33)
It would appear that Mr Dark must have had
some involvement with Cledda, for in August
1931, it was advertised that: “The public of
Williamstown is notified by Mr W J Dark that the
Newport and Empress Theatres will be closed for
one week from Monday night next, for the purpose
of installing the new Vocaltone talking picture
equipment. Mr Dark will assume control of these
Theatres on Monday and will recommend the shows
open on September 7. New projection and talkie
equipment has been installed . On September 12,
Mr Dark will conduct a special matinee for the
children. (34)

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