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SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
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NEW SOUTH WALES:
WOLLONGONG: Currently
owned by the Gateway City Church
group, the historic Regent Theatre is
again on the market. The Regent closed
as a cinema upon the death of its owner
in 2004. It was purchased by the church
in May 2005 for $3.5 million and the
group then spent a further $1 million on
refurbishment. The theatre is being sold
with adjoining office space however
there are also complicated parking and
heritage issues involved.

RANDWICK: Plans are afoot for a SYDNEY: Tours of Sydney’s
new Drive-In Theatre to open using an historic Capitol Theatre are in the
inflatable screen in the centre of the pipeline. Plans envisage tours of the
Randwick Racecourse. Screenings are theatre starting in June and being held
planned for Friday, Saturday and only on Mondays. This brings the total
Sunday nights commencing in May. of theatre tours in Sydney to 3. The
NEWCASTLE: Royal Theatre is other theatres that have public tours are
on the market as the church that own the Opera House and the State
the property has relocated. Despite Theatre.
twinning in 1980, the Royal closed as a
cinema for Hoyts in 1989 but is still
very much intact and has recently been
approved for alterations for re-use as an
integrated entertainment venue
comprising function centre, public bar
and theatre.

THIRROUL: A $2.5 million price
tag is on the 900-seat Anita’s Theatre LOCKHART: The former (1935)
which opened in 2007 after a $6 Rio Theatre with a restored auditorium
million rebuild of the old (1925) Kings and three holiday apartments built into
Theatre. The cinema had closed in 1966 its foyer areas has been offered for sale
and was converted into a skating rink in by tender. The asking price is $750,000.
1966. Possible uses for the building SYDNEY: Demolition of the
could include a reception centre or former Greater Union Pitt Centre and
possibly offices and apartments. adjoining buildings are about to
SYDNEY: The State Theatre commence for construction of an office
building and the adjoining Gowings tower. The Pitt Centre site has a long
building are to become a new boutique cinema history and the adjoining sites
hotel in a $40 million redevelopment. at one time housed the Ascot and
Levels 3-10 of the State and levels 4-11 Variety Cinemas. The Pitt Centre has
of Gowings will be used with entry been closed for some years now with
through the State Theatre lobby with the foyers used as discount bargain
reception on level one. stores.

6 2010 CINEMARECORD