Page 9 - CR

To attract patrons to the Crown,
and compete with the newer Roxy
(opened August 14th 1935) just around
the corner, owner Frank West had
architect A.M. Bolot prepare
renovations in June 1940, this time on a
larger scale and with increased seating.
Interestingly Mr Potts, who would
have continued to lease the rebuilt
theatre, objected to authorities on the
However, by the end of 1930 less By early 1936 Frank West probably
grounds that Nowra could not support
elaborate plans by architect H. Visser of began to tire of exhibiting movies after
two fully operational cinemas, and
Lakemba had been implemented, and some twenty-four years, and leased the
claimed that West was mainly
these involved restructuring the gallery theatre to Messrs Owen and Sutton,
interested in charging higher rental for
to seat 344, altering the projection box proprietors of the relatively new and
more seats.
and improving sight lines. more attractive Roxy Theatre in Berry
Most likely this was also the time Street. West responded that Potts was also
seeking to enlarge the Roxy.
when sound equipment was installed as The name of Crown was retained,
an “all talking program” was advertised but by 1938 business could only sustain Following rejection of the scheme
in local newspapers in November 1930. screenings on Saturday evening and Bolot revised his plans to retain the
occasional holidays. Within eighteen current capacity, but raise the wall
months Owen and Sutton themselves height and completely renovate the
Top Left: West’s (new) Crown pre 1930. interior in the currently popular
had sold both the Roxy and lease on
Bottom Left: 1930s after improvements.
the Crown to Edwin Charles Potts. Moderne style with flowing lines of
Bottom Right: Re-opening ad after 1941
textured plaster and concealed neon
rebuild.
lighting.
Although Australia was at war, and
cinema rebuilding was not necessarily
given high priority, West managed to
obtain approval. The theatre was closed
from October and work commenced to
enable re-opening under the name
West’s Theatre in April 1941.

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