Take a seat: the ritzy glamour of Australia’s historic theatres and cinemas – in pictures
News Source
•Sun, 04 Oct 2026 14:00:31 GMT
📰 What Happened
A new photo gallery shows Australia's historic theatres and cinemas. It includes the Odeon Star in South Australia and the Arcadia at Sydney's Hayden Orpheum.
Other photos show the Palais in St Kilda, the Comedy theatre in Melbourne and His Majesty's in Perth. The pictures capture grand auditoriums, old organs and stage machinery.
🔍 The Backstory
Many of these venues were built in the early and mid 1900s as picture palaces for movies. Some still have working Wurlitzer organs and complex stage rigging.
Photographer Gavin M John took the photos for The Guardian. The collection also features smaller country venues, such as the Roxy in Leeton, NSW, and the Prince of Wales Opera House in Gulgong.
🎯 Why It Matters
These buildings hold a lot of local history. Many are still loved and used by their communities today.
A new photo gallery shows Australia's historic theatres and cinemas. It includes the Odeon Star in South Australia and the Arcadia at Sydney's Hayden Orpheum.
Other photos show the Palais in St Kilda, the Comedy theatre in Melbourne and His Majesty's in Perth. The pictures capture grand auditoriums, old organs and stage machinery.
Many of these venues were built in the early and mid 1900s as picture palaces for movies. Some still have working Wurlitzer organs and complex stage rigging.
Photographer Gavin M John took the photos for The Guardian. The collection also features smaller country venues, such as the Roxy in Leeton, NSW, and the Prince of Wales Opera House in Gulgong.
These buildings hold a lot of local history. Many are still loved and used by their communities today.