Grand Theatre, Perth
| Grand Theatre | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Theatre |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Address | 164–168 Murray Street |
| Town or city | Perth, Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Completed | September 1916 |
| Inaugurated | 20 September 1916 |
| Renovated | 1938, 1949 |
| Demolished | March 1990 |
| Cost | £20,000 |
| Owner | Thomas Coombe |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Richard Joseph Dennehy |
| Main contractor | W. Brine |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | William T. Leighton |
| Renovating firm | Baxter-Cox & Leighton |
| Main contractor | C. W. Arnott |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 1,300 |
The Grand Theatre was a theatre and cinema located at 164–168 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia. It was opened in September 1916 and closed in November 1980. The building was demolished in March 1990.
The Grand Theatre opened on Wednesday 20 September 1916, with a seating capacity of 1,300, with 1,000 in the stalls and 300 in the dress circle. It was opened by the Mayor of Perth, Frank Rea, with a charity fund-raising gala for wounded soldiers, which included a performance by a "Soldiers Orchestra" and the screening of A Yellow Streak, featuring Lionel Barrymore. The Edwardian styled theatre was built for entrepreneur Thomas Coombe, and designed by architect Richard Joseph Dennehy for a cost of £20,000. The main entrance fronted onto Murray Street, and led to a 15.2 m (50 ft) wide marble tiled and mirror-lined vestibule with a large marble staircase. The 33.6 m (110 ft) by 15.2 m (50 ft) theatre auditorium was unique in Western Australia, in that it had a windlass-operated sliding roof, and also removable shutters on the side walls to allow for cross-ventilation. It had a 7.3 m (24 ft) by 5.5 m (18 ft) screen. It also had a secondary entrance facing Barrack Street.
While initially independent, it became a part of the Union Theatres chain. In September 1929, the theatre abandoned its orchestra and was wired for sound, with the screening of its first "talkie", The Midnight Taxi, occurring on 2 September 1929. On 29 April 1932 it became an all-British house, showcasing the most prestigious British films.
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