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At the Regent, Collins Street it is a
pity that the original proscenium arch,
closely modelled like the rest of the
room, on the Capitol, New York was
squared during the otherwise faithful
rebuild after the fire. On the other hand,
the classical colonnade on either side,
the perforated plasterwork of the present
proscenium, and the array of smaller
domes which surround the great central
one combine to present an auditorium
which achieves magnificence, yet
avoids an excess of decoration.
The Proscenium
It is the great arch of the
proscenium, made up of perforated
plaster modules washed with changing
colours, and occupied by a magnificent
main drop curtain, at various times a
scalloped French Empire drape which
caught those colours, and later deeply
fringed velvet, which is for me the most
characteristic and loved feature of the
Regent theatres. It was a feature shared
by South Yarra, Ballarat, Sydney and
Adelaide. Author and illustrator May
Gibbs provided Snugglepot and
Cuddlepie with a gum-leaf theatre with
an arch which was clearly derived from
them.

Above: ‘At the Picture Show’ from
The Story of Snugglepot and Cuddle Pie,
by May Gibbs.
Right from top: Adelaide c. 1939.
The raised waterfall curtain shows off the
inner curtains. The new look c.1940.
A rich red crushed velvet Act Drop
replaced the waterfall and the orchestra
pit is filled in. The base of the organ
platform and the fountain. The organ was
always stationary, but many Regent fans
swear that it rose on a lift. This illusion
was all in the lighting. Images: JTC.

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