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room was via the gallery, with all film having
to be carried by hand up many flights of stairs,
leading from the Athenaeum Library
passageway.

There were four sessions daily at 10 am, 2pm,
4pm and 8 pm, with a projectionist and
assistant on each shift, each shift being two
sessions.
The Athenaeum had its own standby
generator in case of power failure. An unusual
feature was that lighting was controlled from
backstage by a duty electrician whenever
films were being screened. There were two Projectionist, Harold Aspinall
sets of curtains – a vertical act drop, and a
French action set. Both were used as part of In 1991, the building was further upgraded
the presentation. under a heritage conservation project,
including alterations to the main auditorium.
Seating was of the standard theatre-style, with
In around 2014, an orchestra pit was
cast iron sides and wooden armrests. Stalls
constructed and seating refurbished.
seating had padded leatherette cushions and
backs, while seating in the Circle was of red
The Athenaeum continues today as a live
velvet.
venue, hosting many and varied types of
musical performances, comedy and plays. ✶
After 41 years as a cinema, the Athenaeum
closed on 4 April 1970, re-opening as a live
theatre on 18 April 1970. On 22 October
Inages:
1970, it reverted to a cinema until it closed as
CTA (UK) Collection
a Hoyts venue on 19 January 1977. It then
Gordon Evans
became the home of the Melbourne Theatre
CATHS Archive
Company (MTC) until 1984. During its
tenure, the MTC modified the hall at the front
of the building to create a studio theatre,
named Athenaeum 2, retaining the original Above: Athenaeum Advertisement as “The All
theatre as Athenaeum 1 for live productions. Below: The magnificent auditorium as seen British Theatre (from a time when “Going Gay” was
from the stage. to be happy).

CINEMARECORD # 95 27