Page 5 - CR

NEWSREEL THEATRE NEWS
CINEMA AND

NEW SOUTH WALES

TERREY HILLS: In September, United SYDNEY: A slump in live theatre has cast
Cinemas who operate at Warriewood, serious doubt on the long-term survival
Avalon and Collaroy, lodged plans for an of the Theatre Royal in the basement of TASMANIA
innovative, five-screen outdoor movie the 33-year old MLC centre. Work is now
complex in Myoora Road. To be built as required on the aging building and reports HOBART: The city council has given approval
part of $6-million retail and restaurant indicate that the owners of the property are for a 12-storey office block to replace the former
complex, the cinema auditoriums would keen to sell. Odeon Theatre in Liverpool Street. Built in
consist of grassed areas that would utilise 1916 as the Strand, the cinema was modernised
individual headphone receivers for sound, in 1929 and 1956 and operated as the Odeon
and large LED-screens that could be viewed until closure in 1970. From 1972 became the
both day and night. home of the ABC Radio and the Tasmanian
Symphony Orchestra. Since the ABC exited the
building it has been used as a church who have
now moved to a new site and sold the theatre to
a developer.

The auditorium will be demolished for the
office tower, whilst the façade and foyer are
to be retained.
BINGARA: The Gwiydar Shire Council QUEENSTOWN: In a bid to attract a
CHARLESTOWN: This Newcastle suburb owned Roxy Theatre complex which also buyer, the owner of the Paragon Theatre
went from 6 to 14 screens when the new once housed a café and guest house, are to has dropped the sale price to offers around
Reading 8 Cinemas opened in October receive a $94,500 State Government grant to $190,000. The theatre remains closed.
2010. The existing Hoyts 6 continues to develop a museum space celebrating Greek ZEEHAN: Film screenings have returned to
trade well as a discount house (currently immigrant café-culture in rural Australia. the historic Gaiety Theatre as part of a display
$9.90 all tickets). Hoyts have signed a new PETERSHAM: Conversion of the former that re-creates the glory-days of the local picture
10-year lease and a major refurbishment is Majestic Theatre into luxury apartments is show. Jewelled Nights was filmed in Zeehan in
scheduled to be completed in time for the well underway. 1925 and a 17-minute version has been re-created
Christmas 2011 season. Upgrades include: for daily screenings during tourist inspections of
conversion to digital projection with 3D the restored venue.
capabilities, new stadium seating platforms
throughout to provide for upgraded seating, WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
larger screens, new carpeting and a makeover
of the foyer and relocated candy-bar. (In a NORTHBRIDGE: The short-lived Imax
Newcastle first, hot pizza will be on sale!) Theatre in Lake Street has been converted
This is the first major overhaul since opening into a live venue called the Metcalfe
22-years ago in 1989. Playhouse - so named after local Actor-
Director, Edgar Metcalfe.
SYDNEY: Greater Union is spending $70-
million developing a QT hotel on the corner PERTH: The disused Perth Entertainment
of Market and George Streets next door Centre (1974) which housed the Academy
to the State Theatre to open in August or Above: Apartment windows pierce the side walls Twin Cinemas has been demolished
September 2012. at the Petersham Odeon. Photo by William Gray. for redevelopment.

CINEMAREC ORD 2011 5