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MUNICIPAL THEATRE, CHARLEVILLE

By Gerry Kennedy
harleville is situated 758
Ckm north west of Brisbane
at the intersection of the
Warrego and Mitchell
Highways. It is a regional
supply town in a grazing and
mining district and a rail
junction. The Charleville airport
was once part of the supply line
for Qantas international flights.
Charleville is the largest town in
a very sparsely settled shire and
has about 3700 residents.
The first permanent venue for
films screenings was
constructed by Harry Corones at
the rear of his Commonwealth
Hotel in Wills St. (corner of
Alfred St.) It was an open air
venue like many others set up
over the early years in
Charleville. There were some
twelve open air venues around
Charleville over the years. The Municipal Theatre opened on 13 April 1927
cost of the theatre’s construction (4,000 also in his favour. The new venue was to be
In 1926, the Charleville Shire Council had
made the progressive decision to build a pounds). This was done. a shell and Tait had to equip and furnish the
community theatre in the town in Edwards The Brisbane Courier also reported the theatre.
St. It then sought ways to finance such a Council request for applicants to lease the
building. As the Council did not want to new Municipal Theatre for ten years. The The large impressive building featured a
terms and conditions were recorded. The double storied, rendered masonry frontage
operate the theatre, it decided to find an
exhibitor to lease the theatre for a period of successful applicant would also be afforded with two columns situated each side of the
ten years. a half mile radius business protection. recessed entrance. The tall gabled roof was
supported by steel trusses. The theatre floor
Three applicants applied to run the theatre. was of pressed dirt, which was not
In October 1927, the Brisbane Courier
reported that the Charleville Council was However, Robert Tait was the successful uncommon in outback Queensland venues.
empowered to raise 3,500 pounds by way of applicant because his tender was compliant Its single level auditorium was very much
and the others were not. The fact that he had unadorned, and seated 700 in its early days.
twenty year debentures to help defray the
been screening in the town for ten years was The architect was J. Gibbs and the builder
was J & W Gibbs.
Below: The unusual proscenium and elliptical side walls.
The Municipal
Theatre opened on 13
April 1927. This event
led to the closing of
two other venues - the
Cinema and
Victorian Stadium.
The progressive
Council also built a
new Town Hall, which
was opened three
months later.

The theatre was to
have its presentation
upgraded with the
installation of sound in
December 1929. This
was a very early
installation of sound in
rural Queensland. The
theatre was well run by
Robert Tait and proved
very popular,
operating on several
nights per week.

34 CINEMARECORD # 92