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Uploaded on: March 27, 2026

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Ascot Theatre and Gardens 33 Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale, WA - (The Picture Gardens were located on the right hand side of the theatre which in the photo has become a carpark after the closure in 1966)

The Ascot Picture Gardens were opened in 1948, and were located in the car park on the right of the theatre.The Picture Gardens were fitted out with sling seating or, in a historical theatre context, canvas sling seats - The theatre and gardens were closed in 1966.

Description - The Ascot Picture Gardens were fitted out with sling seating or, in a historical theatre context, canvas sling seats. This design features a length of heavy-duty fabric—typically canvas tensioned between two parallel wooden rails to form a flexible, “sling-like” seat and backrest.

Construction: The canvas is often attached using a sandwich batten method, where the fabric edge is clamped between two pieces of timber to prevent slipping and tearing. These seats were historically popular in open-air “picture theatres” because they were lightweight, portable, and could be easily rolled up for storage. Comfort:

The “sling” naturally contours to the person sitting in it, providing a more ergonomic feel than rigid wooden benches, which earned them nicknames like “love seats” in some vintage Australian cinemas.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -