ASTOR THEATRE CLOSING
Sun, 10 Aug 2008, 10:24 pmJim C53 posts in thread
ASTOR THEATRE CLOSING
Sun, 10 Aug 2008, 10:24 pmTodays news anounced the closure of the Astor Theatre. Are we to see the demise of yet another wonderful entertainment venue? The news is that it has become un-economic to run as a cinema any more.
Like most old theatres there is a small stage behind the silver screen with a green room and amenities.
The building itself is heritage listed and can not be demolished. It could be turned into
a Warehouse,Liquor Store, Bowling lane etc like many other of Perths wonderful old theatres.
It would be a shame to see this venue disappear, or even fall into the hands of some of the
large entertainment moguls when we are always looking for suitable venues for live theatre.
I am wondering if any of our members/ readers has any inside information as to the future of this theatre or contacts that could help in turning this into a Community Theatre.
There is huge potential for our collective interest, Live Theatre.
Jaguar.
Okay, count me in too . . .
Fri, 15 Aug 2008, 08:38 pmGraham, rest assured that I'd love to help out in any way I could - though I don't really know how, at least until some plan of action can be agreed upon and set in motion. I don't think you're delusional at all in believing that 'community' efforts can achieve great things.
The dear old Astor means a great deal to me too. It was there that I saw such classic school holiday matinee screenings as 'Mr Hoppity Goes to Town' and 'Gulliver's Travels' in the early '60s and, a few years later, 'The Italian Job'. Another favourite haunt was the Metro in William Street, but that's long gone and generations have grown up without knowing it was ever there at all. The Astor IS still with us and I'd like to see it remain with us for many years to come, whether it be screening films or presenting stage productions . . . or reading groups.
All the best,
Tim.
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!"