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14. THE THEATRES OF WARRNAMBOOL by Gerry Kennedy

Over the years films have been screened in a variety of locations in Warrnambool. The following brief article
details the locations of these buildings; it is not intended to be a detailed history of them.

THE TOWN HALLIWARRNAMBOOL REGIONAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

The Town Hall was situated on the south west corner of Liebig and Timor Streets. It was opened on the 20th of
October, 1891 . In 1924 a gallery was constructed in the hall and the Municipal Chambers were added. Silent
and sound films were screened there on a regular basis, up to the 1940's. Travelling film shows continue to use
this venue even to this day.

In 1983 the Town Hall buildings were dramatically altered and expanded to form the Warrnambool Regional
Performing Arts Centre. This complex includes a variety of spaces to house theatre, art displays, conference,
ball and exhibition areas. The original Town Hall auditorium has been converted into a steeply raked live
theatre of 583 seats. Many of the original architectural features have been retained including the original stage
proscenium. This theatre is now called the Eva Gaspar Theatre.

For the purpose of film screenings the Town Hall was known as The Civic, Civic Pictures, and The Ritz (in the
1940's). J. Friedman was the exhibitor during the 1940's.

MANSIONS THEATRE

In the 1920's this theatre was added, along with the first Palais-de-dance, to the opulent Mansions Hotel
complex. This four storey hotel and apartment building was sited on the south east corner of Koroit and Kepler
Streets. The Mansions theatre opened onto Koroit St. at the eastern end and back of the hotel. The Palais-de-
dance was built on the south side, at the rear of the hotel facing Kepler St.

On the 23rd of February, 1929, a suspicious fire started at the rear of the theatre and led to the total destruction
of the hotel, theatre and the Palais. The Hotel Warrnambool was built on the corner site occupied by the former
Mansions Hotel and Theatre. Some interesting memorabilia of the Mansions Hotel, and a framed newspaper
account of the fire, are to be found in lounge/dining room of the Warrnambool Hotel.

OOOFELLOWS HALL I STAR PICTURES I THE PLAZA I THE PALAIS

The Oddfellows Hall dates back to the late 1800's (circa 1880's) and this building is situated on the south side
of Koroit St., almost next to the Warrnambool Hotel. The building has been updated to house professional
~,otites. The facade is still preserved.

The hall was used as the Star Theatre from the early 1920's and was renamed the Plaza Theatre from 1931 . It
seated up to 498 patrons. The Plaza was operated by Plazabool Theatres Pty. Ltd. and later by Warrnambool
Theatres Pty. Ltd. In the 1940's the Plaza was converted into the Palais dance hall. This was the second time
the Palais name was used for a dance hall in the city. The Palais was subsequently converted into office suites
probably in the late 1960's.

THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL I CAPITOL THEATRE

The new Warrnambool Theatre was built in Kepler St. on the site of the burnt out Palais. This substantial
building was opened on the 12th of April, 1930, with a sound on disc film. The theatre currently seats 906 on
two levels, although various editions of Film Weekly record up to 1 , 118 seats.

Its decor themes are Spanish and the auditorium has remained substantially unchanged since it was built.
Although it was built as a cinema the theatre provided for live productions as well. Stage facilities and
dressing room facilities were modest. A small orchestra pit was included. Initially the Warrnambool was
leased to the Civic Pictures management who continued to run both the Town Hall and the new theatre for
some time. The Warrnambool was renamed the Capitol in the 1930's.

Unfortunately, the Capitol theatre's size is inappropriate for today's audiences and film company screening
policies; it is to be dramatically altered into a triplex venue. The former stalls will be converted into two 180
seat cinemas and the circle will be converted into a 296 seat auditorium. The projection room for the ground
floor cinemas will be suspended from the rear of the upstairs cinemas' "stage".