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Enmore Theatre

The Enmore Theatre is a theatre and entertainment venue in Enmore, New South Wales, Australia.

Enmore Theatre

Sydney, Australia

118–132 Enmore Road,
Newtown, Sydney,
Australia

1908

1920; 1937

£24,000 (1920); $2 million (1991)

Century Venues

Century Venues

Charles Bohringer & Associates (1937)

J. Marron; T. Franklin & Sons (Auditorium)

2,500 standing, 1,700 seated

Enmore Theatre, including interiors[1]

Local heritage (built)

12 December 2011

I1320

It was built in 1908. It is located at 118–132 Enmore Road in Newtown, in the inner west of Sydney's suburbs. It was first opened in 1912 as a photo-play theatre.[2] It was run by a well-known theatre family at the time, the Szarka Brothers.


Today's Enmore Theatre is the longest running live theatre in Sydney, hosting concerts, comedians, plays and all forms of performance. The theatre is considered a medium-sized venue that holds 1,700 people when fully seated and 2,500 when seats are removed, and all attendees are standing. It has hosted many international bands including a performance by Bob Dylan.


The venue's Inter-war Art Deco style, dating from its 1937 remodelling by Charles Bohringer, is protected by its listing as a local heritage item by Inner West Council. The Enmore theatre has had many renovations and shifts of ownership. Today it is owned by Century Venues and has hosted a range of arts from photographic, performing arts, music and motion picture.


The theatre's listing in the Office of Environment and Heritage states that the building "illustrates the development of suburban theatres in the late 1930s and early 1940s and is of social significance for the local community.″[3] It is the only theatre in Sydney from the Art Deco movement in its original condition. From cinema use to concerts, today it is used for various reasons.

History[edit]

Opened in 1912, the theatre was first used as a photo-play theatre that screened silent movies, this was accompanied by a concert orchestra. Patrons could attend silent movies for between three and six pennies.[4]


The venue was run by brothers William and George Szarka. William Szarka, also known as Bill, was an elected member of the local council from 1914 to 1928. He crowned himself "King of Newtown" on stage at the Enmore theatre in the style of a pageant, complete with pageboys and regal robes. He was also a boxing promoter and businessman. Together the brothers also ran the Olympia Stadium in nearby Marrickville.[5]


The two brothers rejuvenated the cinema. In 1920, the pair extensively renovated the theatre, before it was opened by premier John Storey on 1 July in the same year. Theatre architects Kaberry and Chard carried out the renovations in the Inter-war Spanish Mission style.[6] The Sydney Morning Herald reported the cost of this was 24,000 pounds. In 1920 it was reported that the bill would be changed twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.


In 1926, the Szarka brothers joined the Hoyts cinema chain. 1928 saw the arrival of talking pictures which created a massive surge in cinema attendance.[7] Hoyts cinema chain purchased the venue from the Szarka brothers in 1936. The brothers' company, Szarka Bros Ltd, was liquidated in 1936. In 1937, Hoyts Theatres Limited undertook an extensive construction programme across their suburban theatres, including the complete rebuilding of the Enmore Theatre.[8][9] The theatre was expanded and completed redesigned in the Art Deco style by prominent theatre architect, Charles Bohringer & Associates, with J. Marron as the builder.[10][11][12][13]


The cinema was closed in 1967 and was reopened in 1969, when it was purchased by the Louis Film Company. The family owned business, adapted and controlled the theatre privately, screening only Greek Films. The venue's name was changed to Finos Theatre. This was popular in an area where 13% of the Greek population lived. The 1980s saw a decline in use of theatres across Sydney, with many theatres closing down. The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust took control of the theatre and began renovations. Half a million dollars was spent restoring and extending the venue, once again allowing the venue to host live performances. Unlike other cinemas which were demolished due to the Sydney pro-development movement, the Enmore Theatre was reopened in 1985 with its original name. The Fink family became the sole owner of Hoyts in 1985 and expanded its operations into distribution and home entertainment.[14] The experience of cinema was changing.


In 1991, the Showcall Pty ltd began running the theatre and exceeded $2 million in expenditure to redesign the venue and provide additional space. The popularity of the Enmore Theatre is closely linked with the contemporary development of Newtown as an arts and entertainment hub.[15] The Federal Government in 1992 requested the Australian Broadcasting Authority to begin trials of community television.[16] There was less demand for cinema, and more demand for live entertainment and performances within spaces like the Enmore Theatre.


On 3 March 2022, during a sold-out show by Genesis Owusu, the dance floor collapsed two songs into his set. The concert was halted and rescheduled. No one was injured and the venue confirmed the following day that the floor was repaired and all scheduled shows would still continue.[17]

Enmore Theatre Poster Decor

Enmore Theatre Poster Decor

Enmore Road

Enmore Road

Enmore Theatre at night

Enmore Theatre at night

Then owner, William Szarka, in August 1929 in front of his Rolls-Royce at a Movietone event.

Then owner, William Szarka, in August 1929 in front of his Rolls-Royce at a Movietone event.

On the 24th of December 1938, the Enmore Theatre gave free cake to all children who attended the Saturday matinee.

On the 24th of December 1938, the Enmore Theatre gave free cake to all children who attended the Saturday matinee.

The Cranberries, Live at the Enmore Theatre in 2012.

The Cranberries, Live at the Enmore Theatre in 2012.

Entrance to the Enmore Theatre on the evening of the Performance by The Cranberries.

Entrance to the Enmore Theatre on the evening of the Performance by The Cranberries.

Rose Tattoo at the Enmore Theatre in 2011.

Rose Tattoo at the Enmore Theatre in 2011.

Enmore Theatre Homepage