Theen ...
There used to be a theatre here ...
The Mile End Office Furniture store has been trading from the old Plaza Theatre in Torrensville since 1981, and we bought stuff from them when we moved into the area 18 years ago. I can remember seeing cordoned off wooden steps going upstairs to theatre seating above, where they hadn't converted the area yet. Also there was a raw break where the original verandah joined on to the building. Much later they spruced up the facade to the way it is now.
Scavenge Challenge October #15. "There used to be a ... here." Show us hints and remnants of long-gone local history. (Rob)
THE HISTORY
The former Star Theatre is located on Henley Beach Road, Torrensville, and officially opened on Thursday, March 2, 1916. The Adelaide Mail described the theatre as double-fronted, with two nice shops and a splendid entrance. There were tip-up seats in the dearer portion, and the sixpenny section was all upholstered. Accommodation was for 1,000 persons. The opening ceremony was
performed by the Chief Secretary, Mr A W Styles, and the proceeds went in aid of the Sandbags for Soldiers Fund.
The owner of the theatre, Star Picture Company, was acquired by Clifford Theatres Ltd in 1917. It continued to operate under Clifford control until October 12, 1929, when it was closed due to the depression. Films were screened instead at the nearby (and much larger) Thebarton Town Hall. In 1937 it reopened as the Plaza Theatre, on Saturday April 24. The seating was advertised to be "the latest and most luxurious". However, the outside of the building changed little, if at all. It is not known if any changes occurred on the inside. Re-opening features were "Charlie Chan at the Opera" and "The Flying Doctor". In March 1947, Greater Union acquired the Clifford circuit, and the Plaza then came under its control.
The Plaza finally closed on Saturday, May 1, 1954, not having gone to CinemaScope. The large capacity Thebarton Town Hall, almost opposite, continued to provide film screenings. The Plaza, since closure, has been used for a variety of purposes, including auction rooms and retail shops. A mezzanine floor has been built across the former stalls area to give two levels of show rooms. Greater Union disposed of the property in August, 1959.
Taken with iPhone 4S.
There used to be a theatre here ...
The Mile End Office Furniture store has been trading from the old Plaza Theatre in Torrensville since 1981, and we bought stuff from them when we moved into the area 18 years ago. I can remember seeing cordoned off wooden steps going upstairs to theatre seating above, where they hadn't converted the area yet. Also there was a raw break where the original verandah joined on to the building. Much later they spruced up the facade to the way it is now.
Scavenge Challenge October #15. "There used to be a ... here." Show us hints and remnants of long-gone local history. (Rob)
THE HISTORY
The former Star Theatre is located on Henley Beach Road, Torrensville, and officially opened on Thursday, March 2, 1916. The Adelaide Mail described the theatre as double-fronted, with two nice shops and a splendid entrance. There were tip-up seats in the dearer portion, and the sixpenny section was all upholstered. Accommodation was for 1,000 persons. The opening ceremony was
performed by the Chief Secretary, Mr A W Styles, and the proceeds went in aid of the Sandbags for Soldiers Fund.
The owner of the theatre, Star Picture Company, was acquired by Clifford Theatres Ltd in 1917. It continued to operate under Clifford control until October 12, 1929, when it was closed due to the depression. Films were screened instead at the nearby (and much larger) Thebarton Town Hall. In 1937 it reopened as the Plaza Theatre, on Saturday April 24. The seating was advertised to be "the latest and most luxurious". However, the outside of the building changed little, if at all. It is not known if any changes occurred on the inside. Re-opening features were "Charlie Chan at the Opera" and "The Flying Doctor". In March 1947, Greater Union acquired the Clifford circuit, and the Plaza then came under its control.
The Plaza finally closed on Saturday, May 1, 1954, not having gone to CinemaScope. The large capacity Thebarton Town Hall, almost opposite, continued to provide film screenings. The Plaza, since closure, has been used for a variety of purposes, including auction rooms and retail shops. A mezzanine floor has been built across the former stalls area to give two levels of show rooms. Greater Union disposed of the property in August, 1959.
Taken with iPhone 4S.