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Taken on: April 26, 2013

Uploaded on: February 5, 2026

Exposure: 1/862 sec, f/2.8, ISO 80

Camera: Apple iPhone 4

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Hoyts Vogue Theatre 55-57 Parramatta Road, Sydney, NSW - Photo from the rear

Located in west Sydney suburb of Homebush. The Homebush Cinema was opened on 2nd April 1925 with Anna Q. Nilsson in “Half-a-Dollar Bill” and Vera Reynolds in “Feet of Clay”, with 1,805 seats.

It was taken over by Western Suburbs Cinemas circuit on 2nd October 1931 and in 1939, the interior was modernised in an Art Moderne style by architect L. J. Buckland, and seating reduced to 1,497. It re-opened on 19th August 1939 as the Homebush Vogue Theatre, with Priscilla Lane in “Yes, My Darling Daughter” and Barry K. Barnes in “This Man Is News”.

Taken over by Hoyts Theatres in March 1944, it became Hoyts Vogue Theatre, and was closed on 19th December 1959 with Deborah Kerr in “Count Your Blessings” and Steve Brodie in “Here Come the Jets”.

In 1960 it was converted into the Homebush Ice Rink, and this use lasted until 1971. Following a renovation, it reopened as the Strathfield Ice Rink which closed in 1980.

The vacant building was put up ‘For Sale’ in 1982. After laying unused for several years, it was converted into a cabaret venue, known as the Night Rider Theatre Restaurant, which opened in 1986. It later became the Midnight Star Reception Centre, used as a banquet and dance hall. This closed in 1996, Since then the building has stood empty and unused and is available ‘To Let’. The former theatre is Heritage Listed on Strathfield Council’s Local Environmental Plan - Notes by Ken Roe

Contributed by Greg Lynch -