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Uploaded on: February 21, 2025

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History - Edward Carroll joined forces with George Birch and Virge Coyle to form Birch Carroll and Coyle. They commissioned Henry Eli White to design the Wintergarden Theatre in East Street, along with Wintergarden Theatres in Rockhampton, Townsville, Rose Bay, and Sydney (all since demolished).

The Wintergarden was officially opened on Friday 9 January 1925, seating 2000 people.

Starting with silent movies, it moved into “talkies” by the end of the decade. The Wintergarden had 3 different prices for seats in the back stalls, front stalls, and upstairs. There were 4 box seats upstairs for the well-to-do. It was designed with full stage facilities including 12 dressing rooms underneath the stage. The Wintergarden was a veritable palace.

The Wintergarden was an icon of Ipswich and integral part of the city until it was demolished in 1979.

A modern Birch Carroll and Coyle theatre - Ipswich City Cinema was built on the site. It was smaller and the first BC&C theatre to provide on-site parking - Ipswich Libraries.

Contributed by Greg Lynch - dimensional1@bigpond.com