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The PICCADILLY North Adelaide.

by John Thiele.

y earliest memory of going to the another relevant connection in that Dan for the wine and fawn carpet in the foyers was
MPiccadilly Theatre in North Adelaide Clifford lived at Mount Lofty, near the sent to Templeton’s in London to be specially
takes me back to the time when I was Adelaide Hills village of Piccadilly, which woven for the theatre.
approaching my teens, and I was taken to that had largely been settled by English families.
theatre to see a Superman film starring George Dan never failed to be impressed with its old Newspapers of the day were exuberant in their
Reeves; I think it was Superman Flies Again. English atmosphere. There was a story told descriptions of the new theatre, which had
Our family normally went to one of our two about an occasion when the governess of one cost £26,000 to build. They described it as an
nearest suburban theatres, so it was rather of these English families said to her children impressive theatre incorporating all the latest
special to go the much greater distance to the “Come, let’s go for a walk. We will go walk developments in theatre design, comfort and
Piccadilly, and I remember being particularly down Piccadilly.” The name stuck to the presentation. The arrangement of the arrow-
impressed by the theatre itself, as it was very village. headed shaped windows above the curved
grand by comparison to the locals. Over the awning to the main entrance was (and still is)
years, I have gone there many times, and it When Dan went to erect the new theatre in unique, looking impressive both externally
became a favourite place to see a movie. North Adelaide, he was also aware of an and from within the upstairs interior foyer.
association of English settlers with that part of The colour scheme of the exterior was pale
The Piccadilly was the twentieth theatre in a Adelaide too, so the combination of these cream and blue. Another feature considered
chain of theatres built by one of the pioneers various connections led him to believe the unique in Australian theatres at the time was a
of the motion picture industry in South most appropriate name for his new theatre landscaped garden planted alongside the
Australia, Dan Clifford. He started back in would be the Piccadilly. The name was given theatre, facing Barton Terrace. It was planned
1916 with the purchase of two small suburban added significance when a mural painting of that flowers would bloom throughout the year,
theatres conducted by Star Pictures at Piccadilly Circus by Mr. F. Millward Grey intermingled with a fine selection of shrubs.
Torrensville and the Hindmarsh Town Hall. was reproduced on the wall above the circle
By the time he opened the Piccadilly 24 years stairway in the lounge foyer. The theatre was designed by Evans, Bruer and
later, his chain of picture shows extended Hall, architects, of Adelaide, in association
throughout the suburbs and into the country. Around this time, London’s Piccadilly Circus with Mr. Guy Crick, of Sydney. R. J. Nurse,
attracted world attention as one of the centres of Norwood, was the builder and contractor.
There was much fanfare surrounding the of London’s bombing raids, so the large
opening of the Piccadilly in October 1940. mural, 10 feet by 9 feet in size depicting The special wine and fawn carpet from
Publicity concerning the event revealed an London’s buses and crowds thronging the London was laid throughout the spacious
interesting story attached to the naming of the world famous thoroughfare, provided a really foyers and auditorium by John Martins and
new theatre. It was inspired by London’s striking focal point in the foyer. Yet another Co. of Rundle Street, who were also
famous Piccadilly Circus, but there was link with England was made when the design responsible for all of the interior furnishings.

The Piccadilly in 1940 Image: D. Darian-Smith

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