Northcote Theatre

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Uploaded on: January 23, 2021

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Northcote Theatre 206 High Street, Northcote VIC - Facade

Photo - Adrian Crothers

The Former Northcote Theatre is of historical significance to the State of Victoria as the least changed of the earliest remaining examples of purpose-built picture theatres in Victoria. The first purpose-built picture theatres were erected in Victoria from around 1910. The substantially intact Former Northcote Theatre is an important illustration of the characteristics of that phase of picture theatre development in Victoria.

The Former Northcote Theatre is historically significant as an important example of a suburban cinema and of the emergence of cinemas in working class suburbs in the 1910s. It is representative of a significant phase in the development of Victoria’s cultural and cinema history.

The Former Northcote Theatre is historically significant for its unusually intact interior, representative of early purpose-built picture theatres. It displays the typical features of picture theatres from this era including: a small, simple foyer; large, box-like auditorium with a barrel vaulted ceiling, flat floor and raised stage that could be used for a variety of functions; an area of balcony seating; windows making it suitable for use for daytime functions. The high level of intactness of the place allows its previous purpose as a theatre to be easily comprehended - Contributed by Greg Lynch -