Page 20 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

Albury’s Mighty Regent

by Les Tod

The Regent is located at 456 Dean
Street, on the corner of David Street,
Albury. After more than 80 years it is
still one of the outstanding country
theatres in New South Wales, a credit to
its owners and a wonderful amenity for
the people of Albury. It dominates the
streetscape and its classical façade,
floodlit at night, is a sight to behold.
The theatre was built for Mr Bietro
Abikhair (later anglicised to Betro
Abicare), a local businessman and
Lebanese emigrant. It was to have been
(1)
named the Olympia but was leased to
Hoyts Theatres Ltd for ten years, and
named Regent after that company's
chain of impressive Regents.
The pre-opening publicity promised This foyer, I might say, has been the There are several dressing rooms for
much: hobby of Mr Mendel Snider, one of the the use of visiting theatrical parties.
directors of Hoyts and to his credit Below the footlights and lower than the
Hoyts Regent is the latest link to the
must go the beauty and good taste of level of the auditorium floor… is a
Huge Chain of Theatres controlled by
the furnishings. Expense has been the roomy orchestra pit, and the orchestra
Hoyts Theatres Ltd - Managing
last consideration. You step off the which will be installed will out-do
Directors: G F Griffith and F W
stairway into a deep carpet… sit down anything yet heard in Albury.
Thring. It is a splendid achievement
in a magnificent Jacobean arm chair,
and without a doubt, one of the most Two rich drop curtains are
luxurious with blue and gold
Beautiful Theatres yet constructed. It is provided, the inner blue, and the outer
cushions… all round are unique marble
a towering Triumph to Australian Art gold. The surrounds are of pierced
wall fittings from which the same soft
and Industry. It defies Comparison! It plaster of novel design, backed with
light is diffused.
Defies Description! An Enthralling silk, behind which again are hidden
(2) (3)
Sensation! It Stands Alone! In the circle the blue and gold coloured lights…
scheme is seen in the chairs. There is The architect for the Regent was
The new theatre may have defied
seating accommodation for 650 people Mr Louis (Lewis) Harrison, of Albury.
description, but after the opening on
and the two front rows are heavy Trained in London, he had previously
Saturday 19 February 1927 the local
lounge, tip-up armchairs, the only made alterations at Albury’s Theatre
newspaper certainly tried:
samples of their kind in Australia… The Royal in 1925 (5) and also designed
Now suppose we move inside - (4)
beauty of the place almost takes your the Albury War Memorial.
through great doors built of
breath away. The interior is designed in
Queensland maple…the greater portion The theatre was opened by the
the graceful Adam style… The walls are
of them is of heavy bevelled plate Mayor Ald. A. Waugh, and the feature
decorated with rich ivory cameos and
glass…protected by deep kick plates of film was Marion Davies in Beverley of
plaques which lend great dignity to the
solid brass. The floor inside is of Graustark. The following week’s
scheme.
ceramic tessellated tiles and to the left program included a live act, The
The most up-to-date machinery has
and right are ticket offices… Opposite Premier Four, direct from the Tivoli
been installed… The bio box itself is
the entrance rises the stairway to the circuit, and Lon Chaney in The Black
situated at the back of the circle, and is (5)
foyer. It is divided in two by a silver Bird, with Zasu Pitts in Pretty Ladies.
fitted with automatic fire curtains… The
rail… halfway up on a landing is a The opening night was reported as:
stage is unique in the provinces, both on
magnificent marble pedestal Regent First Night.
account of size and convenience. It is 60
surmounted by a huge crowning light in Hoyts Wonderful New Theatre Opened.
feet by 33 feet, with a rise of eight
a marble bowl and three smaller lights. It is a fascinating temple erected to
inches to the rear, so that dancers’ feet
A complete turn brings you out into the gods and goddesses of the stage
are at all times visible. Its height is such
the foyer and one begins to wonder if and of the film. It is a mighty monument
that roll scenery will not be required.
this really can be Albury. to two men.
1 A photo in the CATHS’Archive shows ‘Olympia’ on the pediment; and in State Records of NSW, Board of Fire Commissioners, File 90, Box 20/14915 a
memo notes: the theatre name is not the Olympia. It was named such by owner Mr Abicare, but is leased to Hoyts who call it the Regent.
2 Border Morning Mail, Tues 15 Feb 1927 3 Ibid. Thurs 17 Feb 1927 4 L R Tod Collection: see notes under Theatre Royal
5 Border Morning Mail, Mon 21 Feb 1927
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