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Internally, the theatre
was decorated in blue
and gold tonings and
had a seating capacity
of 1091 on two levels.

In 1933 the orchestra
pit, proscenium and a
permanent stage were
installed. During that
upgrade, neon lighting
was added to the front
façade and the name
“Roxy” was spelt out in
large red neon lettering
mounted above the roof
parapet. The red neon
signs were visible for a
great distance at night,
owing to the theatre's
location on top of a hill.
As a result, the Roxy
was nick-named "Big
Red".
To celebrate the
addition of the stage, The imposing Roxy, with illuminated signs in place. c. 1933
Australia’s queen of
musical theatre, Gladys Credits: Images:
Moncrieff, appeared at the Roxy in concert for “A Brief History of Leeton” E.A. Bowmaker 1968. John McCabe
six days in 1933. “Leeton - a Thematic History” Art Deco Society. CATHS Archive
Murrumbidgee Irrigator
George Conson formed a syndicate in 1935 to More pictures front and rear covers
control a circuit of theatres in the region, with
a medical doctor in Leeton and four other local
businessmen. Riverina Theatres Pty Ltd
oversaw the Lyceum and the Rio Gardens in
Griffith as well as the Roxy. The Regent at
Yenda was acquired and in 1935 the Roxy
Gardens open air cinema was built in Wade
Avenue, Leeton
During the 1950s on Saturday nights, both the
Roxy and the open air Roxy Gardens were
filled to capacity. In c. 1965 the Roxy Gardens
was demolished to make way for a motel
development.

The Roxy was threatened with redevelopment
in 1977 and was purchased by the community
after a massive fund raising drive, with
ownership vested in Leeton Shire Council.
The theatre was progressively upgraded to
provide a larger stage area and new dressing
rooms, with the seating capacity reduced to 888
people (414 downstairs and 474 in the upstairs
lounge area). The sky signs were restored in
1992. The foyer, ticket box and two integrated
shops remain largely untouched.

The Roxy is the town's remaining purpose-
built cinema from pre-television days and is a
fine example of a two-level cinema built in the
era between the ornamental cinemas of the
1920s, and the more austere or Modern (Art
Deco) designs of the 1930s. Very few cinemas
survive in NSW which retain the two levels. It
has existed as part of the town fabric for
87 years.

The Roxy is a rare example of Kaberry and
Chard architecture in an intact condition, and
has been classified by the National Trust.�

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