Page 21 - CR

Above: Naracoorte’s fine new picture-house The Austral - seen here after being renamed The Rivoli. Pic by Tim Rowe

Architect Chris A. Smith of The internal design work was even
Adelaide designed the theatre. Smith NEW AUSTRAL more spectacular. Italian workmen were
had become a significant theatre PICTURE THEATRE responsible for the terrazzo work in the
architect who had been involved with a vestibule, foyer, dress circle and stalls
number of theatres in South Australia OPENS NEXT lounges.
including renovating a building for the WEDNESDAY. … “Blue, red and yellow are the
Austral, Kilkenny (1922), the Lyric at predominating colours with the natural
Murray Bridge (1923) and the Unley Epoch – Making Event grey terrazzo as the background…..the
Star (1928). Later he was involved with floral-designed centre-piece being an
(7,12) in the History of
the Capri in Goodwood (1941). absolute masterpiece …the foreign
Narracoorte.
The builder, T. Silver of Rosewater artisans have certainly made a
used local limestone construction with LATEST IN creditable display.”
black pointing to construct a shell, The Naracoorte Herald also
195 feet (59M) deep with a 50 feet THEATRICAL reported in great detail the auditorium
(16M) frontage to Smith Street. DECORATION AND design and construction. The stalls were
The façade was reported by the CONSTRUCTION. 90 feet (27M) long with two sets of
Herald as: double exit doors on the left hand side
…“presenting a pleasant appearance Exquisite Terrazzo … “The whole of the walls of the
with its coloured cement paneling and auditorium and dress circle are sprayed
ornamental work... There were four Work; Beautiful in pastel shades, with green
front pillars finished in yellow oxide Modernistic Decorations. predominating and blocked out to
dressing with a background of Spanish imitate Caen stone. …The carpets were
rough cast in chromium green, and MR. D. CALDWELL’S specially made in England to match the
above the massive proportioned LONG ASSOCIATION stone effect.….The stage is 28 feet by
cantilever verandah. Blue shaded 16 feet with dressing rooms on each side
Mosaic tiles form borders for several WITH PICTURES. above the exits. The proscenium had an
pieces of artistic paneling, one of which old gold texture effect.
encloses the big green lettering
“AUSTRAL THEATRE””.

CINEMARECORD 2010 21