Page 8 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

60. The Theatres Of Horsham by Gerry Kennedy & Jan Ballinger

Part 2 - Locations From 1930 To 1995

Over the years from 1930 -1995 several venues were used for films in Horsham, including the Horsham
Theatre (see Cinema record No. 13, November 1996), the Horsham Town Hall, The Twentieth Century Theatre
and the Mota Vu Drive In Theatre. The only surviving venue in permanent use is the former Horsham Theatre
now known as the Centre Cinemas.

The Horsham Theatre/St. James/The Bowman Theatre/Horsham Entertainment Centre/Centre Cinemas:

The Horsham Theatre was opened in 1926 as a cinema and theatre. After a 1955 superficial modernizing this
typically 1920's style picture palace has survived the ravages of television and video and has taken on a new
lease of life as a triple cinema.

As television decimated cinema audiences in the late 1950's the future of the Theatre became doubtful. To
prevent its closure the Horsham City Council purchased the theatre in 1960 for 27,500 pounds ($54,000) from
its current owners, Consolidated Theatres(2), and so began its cheque red career under a series of lessors. The
theatre ceased screening in August 1966. At that time the exhibitors were recorded as R.T. & J.N. McCracken
and the theatre was known as The St.James(8}. The Horsham Arts Council then leased the theatre from the
City council to be used mainly as a live venue.

In November 1969 the Arts Council entered into an arrangement with Sherwood Productions Pty. Ltd. (from
Melbourne); Mr. Max Bartlett of Horsham was a local director. The Company also controlled the Forest Hill
theatre in Melbourne. Under the arrangement films would be screened on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Sherwood Productions renamed the building the Bowman Theatre and a minor program of renovations fol-
lowed. Six months later a staff strike, over the non payment of wages, threatened to close the theatre.

The 1970 The Horsham Arts Council took over full control of the building and films were screened at weekends
by their appointed manager, Mr. Lawrie Yeates. During the time of the Arts Council a world premier of the film
"Lost In The Bush" was screened in 1973(7). The theatre was now know as The Horsham Entertainment
Centre. The Arts Council worked with the Mota Vu Drive In's owner Ivan Stevens to maintain the show. Mr.
Stevens assisted with film booking and administration. The Arts Council ceased screenings in mid 1977. (1)

From the time full time film exhibition was reduced, there were more opportunities for the theatre to fulfill it's
live function. This was particularly the case during the period of the Arts Council's involvement.

In 1979 Mr. John O'Meara of Ballarat leased the old theatre and began regular weekend screenings again.
After much persistence, he began to succeed where others had failed. In 1986 a staged program of refurbish-
ment and redevelopment was begun by the Horsham Council, with some financial assistance from the Federal
Government's Bi-Centennial Program. The major renovations included the reduction of the stalls area, under
the balcony rake, when the area occupied by two hundred seats was converted into additional foyer space and
new ladies and gents toilets. The two shops were removed and a new left hand side entrance was built. A new
candy counter and separate booking office were installed. To improve the sound qualities in the auditorium, a
carpet like fabric has been fixed to the side walls and the front of the balcony. The theatre was reseated with
seats from the former East End Cinemas (Melbourne).

In 1995, after an agreement was finalized with the Horsham Council, two additional cinemas (2 & 3) were built
in the rear section of the Mechanics Institute. This building (also owned by the Council) was located across a
Janeway to the east of the Horsham Theatre. The front part of the Janeway has been built over to form addi-
tional foyer space to link the two buildings. Cinema 2 is actually in the former Mechanics Hall
and the old bio box has been utilized in the conversion. This cinema can be used for other purposes as a new
stage has been errected. Salmon pink, grey and black are the colours used in the drapes, seats and carpets in
this Cinema.

Cinema 3 has been converted from the old Holeproof factory training room adjoining the rear of the Mechanics
building. This cinema is in fact a very flexible facility and is equipped with a portable bio box, and movable
screen. The seats are fixed to skids and can be moved to suit various purposes such as conferences. Fabric
covered panels provide sound absorbency, decoration and can be used as pin boards for conferences and
displays. A small kitchen area is to be found at the rear of the Cinema 3.