SUCCESS STORIES
There are many examples of successful historic theatre restorations at home and abroad, not least of which is Sydney's own Capitol Theatre, for many years a decrepit wreck which many would have thought too far gone to restore. As with our Roxy proposal, a large stage house was added to the back of the theatre, and the auditorium and foyer beautifully restored. It is now a thriving performing arts venue and has been a key factor in the renewal of the Haymarket precinct.
THE EMPIRE THEATRE, TOOWOOMBA
The Toowoomba Empire was a 2,000 seat theatre opened in 1911 and largely destroyed by a fire in 1933. It was rebuilt, but closed as a movie theatre in 1971. It was then acquired by TAFE and became a carpentry workshop for students. Thirty years later, it became the subject of a public campaign to be restored as a live performance venue. It reopened in 1997 and has been Queensland’s most successful regional theatre. The stage was demolished and a new stage and huge flytower were constructed at the rear, with new foyer space added on the side. The theatre auditorium and its proscenium arch were fully restored. Since then, its success has resulted in two new theatres being built adjacent, a church converted to a 200 seat intimate theatre, and a brand new state-of-the-art 600 seat theatre. The Empire is now Toowoomba’s entertainment centrepiece. If Toowoomba can do this, why not Parramatta?
NEWCASTLE CIVIC THEATRE
The Newcastle Civic was a 2,200 seat movie palace built in 1929. After it was closed as a cinema, it was fully restored by Newcastle City Council as a live performing arts venue, capable of presenting any size show or spectacle. If Newcastle can do this, why not Parramatta with the Roxy?
The Newcastle Civic was a 2,200 seat movie palace built in 1929. After it was closed as a cinema, it was fully restored by Newcastle City Council as a live performing arts venue, capable of presenting any size show or spectacle. If Newcastle can do this, why not Parramatta with the Roxy?