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During the movie era, the Hawker lnstirute boasted a hand- The east end ofRundle Street is now similar to Lygon Street,
cranked telephone from the projectionist to the usher down- Carlton, mostly cafes and students, etc. Not far away are
stairs, with orders to open or close the cmtajns when re- the Wall is Cinemas, another modem complex at Hindmarsh
quired. The projectiorl equipment had been removed but a Square and known as the Academy Cinema City. The two
local businessman was delighted to recall hjs family's _in- great survivors of an earlier era are Her Majesty's Theatre
volvement in thjs old Hall. Demolition of the original pro- at 58 Grote Street, and the Adelaide Town Hall iu King
scenium and dressing rooms in favour of a larger open stage William Street.
has diluted the period atmosphere somewhat, but the build-
ing continues to this day.

Down into Adelaide, where the Civic/State, Wests and the
Theatre Royal are only memories in Hindley Street, as are
the York and Rex in Rundle Street. The HindJey/Metro
awaited re-development but a smartly painted building at
23 Rundle Mall contains the State Lottery and a logo still
proudly proclaiming "Erected by Alfred Drake 19 J 6".

Her Majesty's - Adelaide 1993

Her Majesty's dates from 1913 and opened with the legen-
dary Lily Langtry, of greater fame in Royal circles and bas
also been known as the Princess and tlle Tivoli. It was
extensively refurbished in 1978, is managed by the Festival
Trust and appeared to be in excellent condition from the
exterior.

Metro - Hindley Street 1993 I bad only seen the Adelaide Town Hall interior on relevi-
sion but a request to inspect it was immediately granted.
I believe I saw Peter Finch in "Battle of the Rjver Plate" This restrained but beautiful Victorian Hall is actually on
here in the fifties, when it was known as the Sturt Cinema. the first and second floors ofthe building. It had been thor-
oughly restored and maintained and is quite compact at I 000
Along Rundle MaU, the 1928 Regent continues upstairs, seats, unlike the large and spectacularly Victorian Sydney
with two other screens at the rear of the complex via a second Town Hall. The decor is mainly gold, ivory and crimson
entrance. The former stalls area is uow the Regent Arcade, and a new pjpe organ dates from 1990. A portable platfonn
a row of shops designed in a style to complement the stately is added for Adelaide Symphony concerts. A venue well
Regent atmosphere. wortlJ a visit.

On Kangaroo Island, the Kingscote Council Chambers in-
cludes a good-sized ball, a polished dance floor aud a small
dress circle with fixed seating. The interior is plain but
practical with side windows and a series of flush ceiling-
panel skylights to the left of the proscenium, allowing for
daylight activities.

A good stage and cmtains are included. The fotmdation stone
was laid by the then Premier, Mr. Playford in 1955. The
exterior design of Georgian style windows and modified
art-deco suggests an earlier era. A poster said "Dr. DooWtle"
was coming but no date was mentioned. This proved to be
the following day (Saturday) and three sessions, no less.
Not bad for a small resort in the quiet time of the year.
The Regent- Adelaide 1993
The pleasant seaside town ofVictor Harbour houses tl1e Vi eta
A Nova Complex is located at 251 Rundle Street and the Ciuema. From the front, a spotlessly maintained Thirties-
Place East End is across the street at No. 274. Tbjs is actu- style property. It was too early for an inspectiou but a foyer
ally a lane shared with entry to the IMAX Cinema on the sign said a second cinema was being constructed and Dolby
left and East End on the right. Stereo is used.