Page 24 - CINEMARECORD-96

by Les Tod

erth had many outstanding Art Deco
Pcinemas, both in the suburbs and the city,
and the erection of the Plaza Theatre in 1937
added another to the list. The Plaza was built
on the site of the old Majestic Theatre at
(1)
656 Hay Street. The latter had become a
Hoyts house and operated in tandem with
Hoyts Regent and the Ambassadors, but by
1937 it was old and outdated, and Hoyts
decided to build a new theatre on the site. The
theatre was to sit above a new shopping arcade.
The Plaza opened on Friday 17 September
1937 with Lloyds of London. Its massive
façade was used to create a skyscraper effect
that towered over that part of Hay Street. The
West Australian reported:

‘NEW CITY THEATRE
Marking a new era in theatre construction,
accommodation and presentation, the Plaza
Theatre … will be opened Friday, September
17. ‘The Plaza Theatre will be lasting tribute
to the confidence of the directors of Hoyts
Theatres in the future of Perth’, said the
resident director of the company
(Mr S W Perry). ‘Unusual, striking in
appearance, this new entertainment centre
conforms with everything that is modern. It is
streamlined inside and out, in the first instance
for effect, in the second to harmonise with
design and to give perfection of sound
reproduction. The Plaza embodies all the best
features of modern architecture… Service will
be an important factor of the theatre’s policy,
and in this direction a personality hostess will
be employed to welcome patrons to the theatre.
Usherettes will conduct patrons to their seats
after they have been welcomed by the
(2)
personality hostess…” One wonders how
long, and how feasible, such a policy was.
Ross Thorne wrote of the theatre: “The façade
to Hay Street had a symbolic skyscraper effect.
There were tall strips of windows, the centre
third was taller than and projected from the
remainder. Stepping from the centre of this
central by was the vertical sign which projected
above the roof and curved back and down into
the modern ziggurat roof form. The auditorium
was rather simple in fibrous plaster, striated
lines and straight ceiling coves accentuated the
long dimension of the room, The slightly lower The Plaza after Hoyts relinquished the lease to Ace Theatres. The adults only Savoy was next door.
sections each side of the ceiling, as well as
incorporating indirect lighting coves to wash mottled burgundy velvet for the pelmet with Its welcome becomes doubly attractive under
light across upper ceiling levels and down the curtains of crushed velvet on a peach colour, the supervision of the charming hostesses. The
walls, probably boxed in the air conditioning imported from Vienna. Crinkled silk material eye is drawn irresistibly to the screen of the
ducts.” (3) was provided for back stage and screen drawn new Hoyts Plaza, as it follows the sweeping
curtains. (4) lines of the theatre’s scheme of interior
The architect for the Plaza was decoration. The unobtrusive lighting system
William G. Bennett, who collaborated with After the opening, a trade journal reported: adds further to patron’s comfort and
Soilleux and Taylor of Melbourne. The theatre “Comment in Perth since the opening of the enjoyment.” (5)
was built for the Perth Arcade Co Ltd, and new Hoyts Plaza has never been far from the
featured 26 shops in the arcade, the theatre theatre’s novel box office [a globe shape]. And Hoyts had relinquished its lease on the Regent
seating 1300, and a basement area with space its efficiency is as modern as its appearance, Theatre, which was promptly taken over by
for billiard tables and a barber shop. The as it offers the maximum facilities for speedy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and extensively
proscenium was plain but on artistic lines, and service to patrons. Rich tonings and finish remodelled, emerging as the Metro Theatre,
used a clever blending of colours, including admirably set off the beauty of the Plaza foyer. another Art Deco prestige house.

24 CINEMARECORD # 97