| The Astor Theatre | |
|---|---|
The Astor Theatre front facade from Chapel Street. |
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco[1] |
| Town or city | Chapel Street, St Kilda (Melbourne), Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | |
| Construction started | December 1935[2] |
| Completed | 3 April 1936[2] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ron Morton Taylor[2] |
The Astor Theatre is a classic, single-screen cinema located in the inner Melbourne (Australia) suburb of St Kilda, that has a long and illustrious history.[1]
The site at 1-3 Chapel Street was first used for public entertainment in 1913 when Thomas Alford established the Diamond Theatre, which shared the site with a confectioner and livery stables. Part vaudeville theatre and part cinema, in 1914 it was re-named the Rex before closing in 1917. By 1924 the site had been occupied by a motor garage.
In 1935 Alford sold the property to Frank O'Collins. After council approval was received in October, demolition of the site's original buildings commenced in December. Construction began shortly afterwards, O'Collins having commissioned architect Ron Morton Taylor (among the earlier work of which included the State (now Forum) Theatre on Flinders Street) and construction firm Clements Langford. Work progressed rapidly and the new Astor Theatre was officially opened on 3 April 1936.
The design of the theatre is in the Art Deco style typical of the time[1]. Notably it was one of the last theatres in Melbourne to use the traditional two-level auditorium layout; the stall-and-circle arrangement falling out favour for its cost during the post-war years. Originally it had a seating capacity of 1,673 people.
In the years since, the theatre has changed ownership several times, undergone redesign and survived contemporary redevelopment proposals to remain a Melbourne landmark venue. [2] The Astor Theatre is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, under record number H1751[3]. It is also one of the rare contemporary theatres that consistently maintains the tradition of showing Double feature screenings for the price of single films.
In 1983 The Astor Theatre was leased by George Florence, who still runs the business. George developed the renowned programming style of The Astor and the quarterly calendar is much looked forward to by lovers of film Australia wide.
A calico cat called Marzipan lives in the lobby and can often be seen sitting on the couches, waiting for the patrons to pet her as they leave the cinema. The unofficial "mascot" of the cinema, she has become somewhat more temperamental of late due to a recent hip injury, but is still a friendly and popular member of the theatre.
St Michael's Grammar School owns the building in which The Astor is situated.