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2. FILM THEATRES OF BALLARAT By Graham Smythe

The Regent (Hoyts) - Lydiard Street North, opened in 1928. There was a resident orchestra, under Tony La
Grute, and the first feature was "The Magic Flame". The theatre was on two levels and originally had a round
arched proscenium. There was a fire in 1943 and the theatre was burned to the ground. The theatre was rebuilt
with a squared proscenium, and has since been modified to a multiplex.
(Refer to Picture Palaces and Flea Pits pages 78, 146, 230-233)

The Plaza (Hoyts) - Camp Street, was a single level theatre, and operated as an off-shoot of the Regent in the
A.N.A. building (next to the Trades Hall), and was active in the 1930's.

Her Majesty's- Lydiard Street South. (opposite Craigs Hotel). A very popular picture theatre with three levels,
called Stalls, Lounge and Gods. Films were first shown here in May 1904, and on 27th January 1908 saw the
premiere of "Eureka Stockade". This was always a picture during my lifetime, but with an occassionallive show.
Her Majesty's was only recently restored and now has a Theatre Pipe Organ, and is the official home of the
famous South Street competitions.

The Brittania Theatre- Sturt Street (opposite the Titanic bandstand). On two levels, it was included in the
Mechanics Institute, it's name being derived from the statue of Brittania on the upper facade. The first projected
film on a screen in Ballarat was the French Cinematographe Perfectionne in this Mechanics Institute on 2nd of
December, 1896. In my early years I attended silent films which had a lady pianist. I understand that the theatre
continued until after the 1939 war. My last enquiry there revealed thet the auditorium is still intact and in use by
an amateur theatrical group.

Mechanic's Institute Britannia Theatre Ballarat