Page 9 - CinemaRecord #79

David
Edwards.

In May 1910, David Edwards, owner of the Delta
Hotel in Queen Street, called tenders for the
erection of a “tropical open-air stadium” a few
doors away from the hotel. Canvas seats, posts and promenades in the early Delta 1929.

The Theatre Delta was designed by Dave By the beginning of 1912 silent movies were
Edwards, with plans drawn up by architect being screened. Mr William Brailey (an
Fred Smith. Contractors included John Litster upholsterer by trade) was the ticket collector for
doing the carpentry, plumbers Henry Robinson the pictures at the Delta.
and Jonathan Smiddy, Fred Shaw doing the
proscenium in Wunderlich metal, and scenery by In November of that year, silent movies such as
Fred Allan. Another’s Guilt and a thrilling drama, Earl and
the Girl were being screened.
The 70 foot wide by 130 feet deep theatre could
seat over eight hundred patrons. Veranda added.
The main floor was 80 feet by 56 feet and
constructed of Tallowwood, suitable for dancing Trade ad to entice touring shows.
and skating. The balcony was fitted with
American tip-up theatre chairs. On both sides of
this main floor were promenades 15 feet wide by
30 feet long.

Stage and dressing rooms measured 40 by 25 feet
with a proscenium opening of 20x15 feet fitted
with a main curtain of crimson plush, and a drop
scene of a Venetian view. An upright Lipp piano
provided the music.

The Delta cost just over £2000.00 and the theatre
was electrically lit by an up-to-date DC Generator
at the rear of the building. David Edwards and his
family eventually provided the town of Ayr with
electricity and street lighting well before other
major towns in Queensland.

Opening night of Theatre Delta was a Bachelor
Ball. On the Saturday, the sound of rain on the
galvanised roof drowned out Act 1 of the Amateur
Theatrical Company with the assistance of the
Australian Natives Association from Townsville
in their production of a stirring military comedy
drama, All for Gold. In October a Spinster Ball
took place.
The Charters Towers Amateur Dramatic Society
travelled to Ayr to perform for two nights, two
farcical comedies, Circus Girl and Confusion, in
December.

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