Page 7 - CinemaRecord #83

Interestingly, the rectifier nameplate gives no
indication of having dual channels. It is simply
rated at 45 volts, 50-55-60 amps output. If it
is, indeed, single channel, changeovers would
be rather interesting, with one having to
“snatch” arcs. Full stereo sound with surround
is provided, at least for those seated in the
balcony.

Lighting control consists of an L.S.C. Precept
24 desk, connected to two 12 channel x 2.5 kW
L.S.C. Tour Series dimmers. Unwired lighting
bars hang above the stage, and there are wired
circuits to each of Stage Right, Stage Left,
Stage Rear, Balcony, and both side walls of
auditorium.
For those interested in the audio equipment
manifest, the primary system consists of a
Pereaux 6000B amplifier, feeding two Klipsch
Split T.L.S.I. portable speakers normally
located on either side of the proscenium arch. C&W CP7 projector head

Drive Side of Projector Head (Note Cleanliness)
Drive side of projector head (note cleanliness)
The stage is 14.5 metres wide, 8.5 metres deep,
with a 6.75 metre wide proscenium. Flying
space is minimal at 5.5 metre overall height.
The distance from the projection room to the
stage is 25.5 metres. On stage, the lighting and
sound control is located inside the proscenium
on prompt side. Stage drapery consists of house
curtain, black legs, black backdrop, black
borders, with the projection screen stored on
rollers immediately against the back of the
proscenium arch on the opposite prompt side.
When required for film, the screen is easily
rolled out into position by one person, and a
mobile loudspeaker moved into position behind
it. The screen is located at the top of the
proscenium arch, presumably to ensure good
sight lines from seating downstairs, which is
on a flat floor.

There are the usual two projectors, each
Raycophone carbon arc lamphouse
consisting of C&W CP7 projector heads with
Raycophone sound heads and unenclosed spool
arms. These are mounted on a three-footed The surround sound system is comprised of a Film is still screened on a number of occasions
pedestal, together with a Raycophone 10 inch, Rotel RB2000 amplifier, feeding six linear during the year, but with no local projectionist
motor-fed carbon arc lamp burning a trim of design speakers in the Balcony. Adding to the available, the council hires a retired
8mm (+) and 7mm (-) carbons, supplied from operational flexibility are six lines from the projectionist from Clunes in central Victoria
a Westinghouse “Westalite” metal rectifier. stage to the projection room. whenever required. His trip is around 3 hours,
so he must be one of the dedicated “old timers”.
It is evident that an older, experienced
projectionist looks after the equipment, as the
twin, round section drive belts were left off the
machine to avoid stretching, the gates remain
open to allow the runner pressure springs to
remain relaxed when not in use, and a sheet of
absorbent cardboard is placed at the bottom of
the projector head to prevent any oil leaks from
dripping down into the sound head. These
machines are presumed to have been
manufactured in around 1945, and are in
beautiful condition, a credit to the current
projectionist.
Unfortunately, with the demise of ‘real’ film,
the use of Camperdown’s Theatre Royal as a
cinema will go down the path of redundancy
as with so many other small country cinemas,
unless the local community and/or the Council
C&W CP7
step in with the funds needed to convert to
Projectors
digital technology. H
C&W CP7 projectors
CINEMARECORD # 83 7