Sun Theatre

The Sun Theatre is a six-screened cinema located in Melbourne, Australia in the inner-west suburb of Yarraville.

History

The Sun Theatre originally opened in 1938 as a single-screen cinema seating 1,050 patrons.^[1] The Theatre was immensely popular in the area; it was noted for being the most luxurious cinema in the area and drew large crowds each week. Ticket counters and a booking office were used to handle the crowds. The Sun's original candy location is today known as the Sun Bookshop.^[1] A unique feature to the cinema was the pram room, where babies in their prams were placed and given a number. If a baby started crying, its number was flashed on the screen^[2] to alert the parents.

The Sun's popularity began to dwindle during the 1950s and 60s, largely due to the introduction of television in Australia. In the late 1960s, the Sun was transformed into a Greek theatre to satisy the growing Greek population of Yarraville.^[2] However, the new Greek Theatre was eventually shut down by the Health Department, due to unsanitary carpets.

The Sun remained in a derelict condition for 20 years, until it was purchased in 1995 by the current owners. However, years of neglect, graffiti and pilfering had reduced the once modern and sophisticated theatre into little more than four brick walls.^[2] The new owners transformed the Sun into one of Melbourne's most popular film societies during 1998 to 2003, and the Sun Theatre was again returned to glory.

Facilities

Today, the Sun Theatre seats 660 patrons in six boutique cinemas. Following its reopening in 1995, the Sun's large auditorium was divided into four cinemas, and another two were added to the rear.^[2] All of the new screens have the original architecture of the theatre. A popular feature of the current cinema is the original club seating which has all been fully refurbished with suede upholstery. A coffee table is shared between all seats in each group, which are noted for their ample leg room.^[2]

The cinemas of the Sun Theatre are all named after significant Yarraville landmarks.^[2]

• The Grand, named after the last cinema to close operations in Footscray, it is the Sun's largest cinema.
• The Barkly, named after once famous Footscray cinema, it is based on the dress circle of the original Sun.
• The Trocadero, named after another long-closed cinema in Footscray, this cinema features parts of the original plaster of the Sun.
• The Lyric, named after the second cinema in Yarraville, this cinema was originally intended to be the private screening room. It now features 33 chairs and 7 lounge chairs with coffee tables.
• The Davis, named after the cinema's principal benefactor who was a projectionist at the Sun in the 1950s, this cinema features 100 seats and is decorated with memorabilia such as telegrams and the original Wurlitzer organ.
• La Scala, named after an Italian cinema in Footscray, this cinema features such luxuries as 52 leather couches and paintings by local artists.

Trivia

• Was the first Melbourne cinema to be constructed with a parabolic floor and pioneered the 'Continental' form of seating^[3]
• Was opened by Cr. Free, Mayor of Footscray^[3]
• Much of the Sun Theatre's unique interior suffered decay beyond repair during the 13-year period of its abandonment. The decorative ceiling had collapsed onto a tangled mess of wrought iron chairs, white ants had invaded all timber construction and floorboards, and there were gaping holes in the roof, along with graffiti, rot, and general destruction. The building had been stripped of its ornate doors, skirting and decorative features, walls were collapsing, cracks opening and the sub-floor furnace room was completely submerged. The building was an ashen shell having experienced several fires (believed to be deliberately lit).^[2]
• The Sun neon sign, which is positioned above the roof of the theatre and which can be seen from many points around Yarraville, has become a Yarraville icon.

References

Coordinates: 37°48′58″S 144°53′26″E / 37.816020°S 144.890617°E / -37.816020; 144.890617