Regent Theatre

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Regent Theatre 134 York Street, Albany, WA – Photo Peter Johnson. (Photo restored)

THE REGENT THEATRE , 134 York St, Albany On 5 February 1925, H.E.Lambert opened the Regent Theatre in York St inside the former St Alban’s Buildings on the western side of York St, just south of the Frederick St intersection.

Private boxes

The plans provide for a building of entirely modern lines, designed to give a seating capacity of 1070 persons. Of these the dress circle will seat 230 and the ground floor 840. The building is to be of brick, with cavity walls and concrete foundations. The main floor will measure 65ft. by 54ft. and seating, as in the dress circle also, will be arranged on the semi-circular plan; the whole of the chairs will be of the tip pattern, and those in the circle will be upholstered in brown plush. The maximum of space has also been allowed between rows, and as the wooden floors are graded patrons will enjoy every comfort and obtain uninterrupted views of the screenings. Two private boxes will flank the ends of the dress circle. These each have a capacity of eight persons

The Entrance

Entrance to the stalls will be through doors on each side of a marble stairway leading to the dress circle. A landing 17ft. in width will be fitted half-way up the stairway to serve as a lounge for circle patrons. The walls of this theatre have a height of 24ft. 6in. The ceilings will be of fibrous plaster, paneled with jarrah moldings, modeled on the plans of the Prince of Wales Theatre in Perth.

The Interior

The interior walls will be paneled to a height of 3ft. 6in. and the floor of the vestibule tiled in black and white. Electric radiators will be impaneled in the walls, ensuring warmth in winter. A special feature has also been made of ventilation. Oscillating fans will be installed throughout, and specially constructed air pipes fitted. The operating box will be constructed of reinforced concrete and occupy a position under the circle stairway. The circle is fitted with a special exterior exit stairway, and double escape doors are also provided on the ground floor at the front and rear of the building. Designed essentially as a picture house, the theatre has nevertheless been fitted with a commodious stage, sufficiently large to allow of the presentation of modern vaudeville turns. (Albany Advertiser 3 September 1924)

Sound equipment Australtone sound equipment was installed in December 1929. Lambert operated this venue till he sold the business to the Kanzler brothers in 1935, shortly before Lambert’s death in 1936. During the war, the Regent was operating seven nights each week, with 760 seats, and after the war the Kanzlers bought the building outright.

Re-modeled

The Regent was re-modeled & then re-opened on 22 July 1965 with a Gala Charity Film Preview of 55 Days at Peking:

Closed

The Regent was closed, and demolished in September 1969 – Contributed by Greg Lynch –