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you was the world’s largest chandelier,
suspended from the ceiling and indeed a lovely
sight to behold when ablaze with lights; but
when its lighting subsided at the
commencement of the show, it was just superb.
To be in the Dress Circle for an entire
performance of the Regent’s programme was
a never-to-be-forgotten experience, as
thousands of Melburnians would agree.

Two of the most important rooms in any vast
gathering were something to behold. None of
this crass “Ladies” and “Men” stuff for Messrs
Hoyts and their ultimate treasure house, the
Regent - no sir, a proud sign above a wide open
entrance off the foyer denoted “Gentlemen’s
College Room”. The Ladies had their own
Powder Room across the foyer. A no less
majestic entrance, it was subtly covered by
draped curtains. Now I cannot speak for the
darlings who availed themselves of the divine
delights of that mystical chamber, but I can
describe with intense clarity “The Gentlemen’s
College Room”. You walked down twenty-five
marble steps to a large cool subterranean room
- soft music emanating from a hidden source,
potted palms in front of large pillars, gentle
waterfalls tumbling into fish ponds alive with
exotic fish, individual leather seats, large
leather sofas, large ashtrays (for the Craven A
smokers, of course - the rest of us humble chaps
could only afford “Three Threes”, “Capstans”,
“Black & White” or “Cavaliers", but we could
avail ourselves of those large silver ashtrays
and dream of happier times to arrive!) Now all
this splendour was visible and still you had not
arrived at your eventual target which of course
was cleanliness personified and kept just perfect
by a smartly attired attendant who, I believe,
was called The Concierge.

But of all the nights in the week, no night came
near the glamour of Saturday night. The prices
Above and below: Regent Theatre projection room
in the stalls went up to 2/6 and the Dress Circle,
All that cost one shilling and one penny, and on When you could drag yourself past all this my goodness, you really had to have a good job
Saturday night the price blew out to 1/6 realistic replica of medieval splendour, you to even dare to walk up those magical marble
(15 cents). But if you had a job and could afford ascended eight more richly carpeted steps and steps, for the prices went as high as 3/6 a seat.
2/6, you could take your girl to the Dress Circle. entered the Magic Kingdom. Right in front of Two 3/6 seats, a box of chocolates from
From this serene height, you could look down
at the “poor people” who had to sit in the stalls.
(Sure, we had snobs, even in 1932).

To walk up those marble steps to the Dress
Circle was similar to entering a medieval castle
- an illusion of course - but everyone simply
had the feeling of “Ivanhoe”. You walked past
turrets, crenellations on the staircase, hanging
tapestries with knightly battle insignia, knights
and their fair ladies depicted on the ceiling,
before you entered the Dress Circle foyer. If
you were a rather simple, unworldly lad from
Richmond, you actually stood and gaped at the
amazing beauty of the scene confronting you.

A spacious carpeted lounge with satin covered
seats, elegant mirrors, heavenly usherettes with
programmes in their angelic hands,
sophisticated ladies and smartly groomed
escorts, delicately drawing on a Craven A or
perhaps a Turkish Abdullah with its tantalising
aroma. A mural covered the entire ceiling
which depicted the knights and ladies-in-
waiting of King Arthur"s court, while
underneath I stood open-mouthed and gaping
in my seventy bob ($7) suit from Myersons.

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