Grand Theatre 164-168 Murray Street, Perth, WA - 1916 - Designed by architect R.J. Denneby.

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Grand Theatre 164-168 Murray Street, Perth, WA - 1916 - Designed by architect R.J. Denneby.

Built by entrepreneur Thomas Coombe, the Grand Theatre opened on 20th September 1916. It was designed by architect R.J. Denneby. Seating 1,100, with 842 in the stalls and 274 in the balcony, it had a windlass-operated sliding roof, like the more prestigious live theatres, and also shutters on the side walls which could be removed for ventilation like the semi-open-air theatres.

While initially independent, it soon became an an important part of the Greater Union Theatres chain. It was wired for sound in 1929 (and abandoned its orchestra), and in April-May 1932 became an all-British house, a showcase for the most prestigious of the British films.- Notes by Barry in Perth

During the difficult times of the Great Depression, the Grand Theatre was under threat and was saved by a new company, the Grand Theatre Co. Over the years, very little change was made in the façade of the Grand Theatre: brickwork was painted over, a neon sign added in the manner traditional to cinemas (down the length of the façade), and the ornate metal veranda replaced with one of cleaner, more modern lines - Notes by Barry in Perth.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -