Renown Theatre

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Uploaded on: August 26, 2020

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The Phoebe theatre – 378 Glenhuntly Road Elsternwick Vic 1916 - Later to become the Renown.

Photo – Sourced by Kevin Adams

The Phoebe theatre which opened on Sat April Ist, 1916. The architects being Messrs Thomas Watts & Sons, and the builders Messrs L. & J. Roswell. The land was purchased for £4000.00 while the theatre was built at a cost of £6000.00 with a seating capacity of 1400. The Phoebe was named after the wife of the owner Ignatius La Page. The word Phoebe is a Latinized form of the Greek (Phoibe), which means “bright and pure. The Phoebe was constructed of brick and was erected within a 12 week period. A lever veranda afforded ample shelter from the weather, while the entrance to the main building was accessed through a wide handsome foyer.

The seats were upholstered in American leather. The frontage measured 76 feet, with the main hall featuring a depth of 100 ft in length, and a gentle grade to the front, thus enabling patrons of the era to view the screen in comfort. The orchestra well was sunk to an extent as to not interfere with general sight lines. On the curious side the theatre was built without a proscenium with the screen painted on the front wall.

Contributed by Greg Lynch –