Athenium Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Athenium Theatre |
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| Location | The Broadway, Junee, Junee Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1929–1929 |
| Architect | Kaberry and Chard |
| Owner | Junee Shire Council |
| Official name: Athenium Theatre; Broadway Theatre; JADDA Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 9 January 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1687 |
| Type | Theatre |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Builders | J. Nyssen |
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The Athenium Theatre is a special building in Junee, Australia. It used to be a theatre and a cinema. Now, it's a community hall where people gather for events. The theatre was designed by Kaberry and Chard and built in 1929 by J. Nyssen. It's also known as the Broadway Theatre and the JADDA Centre. The local council, Junee Shire Council, owns the building. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on January 9, 2004, because of its important history.
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A Look Back at the Athenium Theatre
For over 50 years, before TV became common in 1964, cinemas like the Athenium Theatre were super important. They weren't just for movies. They were places where people learned about new fashions, designs, and current events. All the cinemas in Junee also hosted live shows, dances, and parties because their floors were flat.
How the Theatre Began
The story of the Athenium Theatre starts with two brothers, Nicholas and George Laurantus, who came from Greece. Nicholas was already involved in cinemas. He wanted to create a "chain" of movie theatres to get better deals on films.
Around 1928, Nicholas teamed up with Ben Cummins from Junee. They decided to build a new theatre. Nicholas put his younger brother, George, in charge of managing their existing Lyceum Theatre and overseeing the construction of the new one.
The new theatre, called the Athenium Theatre, officially opened on October 10, 1929. It was a big deal for Junee. George Laurantus and his wife worked very hard to run the theatre. George handled the film bookings and projection. His wife sold tickets and kept records.
Life at the Athenium Theatre
The Athenium Theatre opened just two weeks before the Great Depression started. This was a tough time for many people. However, sound films quickly became popular, and attendance at the theatre grew. Junee was actually doing better than many other towns during the Depression.
The theatre was a busy place. Movies were shown six days a week. On other nights, it hosted dances and concerts. Famous artists, like Gladys Moncrieff, even performed there. During World War II, the theatre showed newsreels to keep people updated. It also held patriotic events to support the war effort.
The flat floor of the theatre's main area was perfect for dancing lessons during the day. It truly was a community hub.
Changes Over the Years
George Laurantus was great at promoting the theatre. He made sure advertisements were big and easy to see. He changed programs often to keep people interested. The theatre also had a special connection to the railway, as films were shipped by train.
The Athenium Theatre also served as a town hall. For example, in 1935, it hosted a big railway jubilee event. This included a film, medal presentations, a concert, and dancing until late at night.
Unlike today, cinemas didn't have their own candy bars. People would rush to a nearby cafe during intermission to buy milkshakes, ice cream, and chocolates.
In 1940, Robert Tilby Begg took over the theatre. Later, in 1950, R. J. and E. E. Pollard bought it and renamed it the Broadway Theatre. They sold it in 1954 to Albert Thomas Manion, who had his son Kevin and daughter-in-law Yvonne manage it.
In 1959, the theatre's stage opening was made wider for new Cinemascope films. This meant removing some of the original decorations.
The Theatre Closes and Reopens
By the late 1960s, fewer people were going to the cinema. This was partly because television was becoming popular. The theatre eventually closed in 1970. Its license was cancelled in 1971.
However, the community didn't want to lose this important building. In 1975, a group called the Junee and District Development Association (JADDA) was formed. In 1977, JADDA bought the Athenium Theatre for $20,000. The community raised all the money for the purchase and for repairs. The local councils became the trustees of the property.
The building was renovated to be used for indoor sports and social events. Although there were plans to show films again, these didn't happen. The Junee Council eventually took control of the building.
Over the years, some of the theatre's original decorative features were changed or removed. This was before people fully understood the importance of preserving old buildings.
In 1998, the outside of the theatre was repainted, and the kitchen area was updated. However, due to insurance issues, the theatre closed again as a general recreation center.
In 2003, the Junee Shire Council considered tearing down the building to build a new medical center. But the community fought to save it. The theatre was given a special heritage listing and was saved from demolition.
After being saved, the building was reopened and refurbished. It went back to its original name, the Athenium Theatre. In recent years, it has received donations for a new screen and piano. In 2017, community members helped renovate the dress circle, which had been closed for over 20 years. In 2018, it received funding for new lighting and sound systems.
As of 2025, the Athenium Theatre is available for hire as a community hall, continuing its role as a central gathering place for Junee.
Greek Immigrants and Cinemas
The Athenium Theatre also tells an important story about Greek immigrants in Australia. Many Greeks who came to New South Wales before World War II started businesses in country towns. They often opened cafes or food shops. Then, many of them, like the Laurantus brothers, moved into running movie theatres.
By owning cinemas, these immigrants gained respect in their towns. They helped bring entertainment and news from around the world to rural areas. This helped them become a part of their new communities. The Laurantus brothers were a great example of this. They built and managed several cinemas in the Riverina region.
George Laurantus loved managing the Junee theatre. He was very creative and enjoyed promoting films. He would even create special floats and events to advertise movies. He was a real asset to Junee.
What the Athenium Theatre Looks Like
The Athenium Theatre has a wide and impressive front. It stands out when you enter Junee.
The Outside
The building is made of brick with a smooth, cement-rendered front. It has a large awning that sticks out over the sidewalk. Below the awning, there are two shopfronts and doors leading into the theatre. The shops have glass windows and tiled bases.
Above the awning, there are tall, slim columns that support a decorative top section. Below this, there's a row of seven windows. These windows let light into the back of the dress circle and the projection room.
The sides of the building originally had sliding wooden panels instead of windows. These could be opened for ventilation. The current windows are not the original design.
The Inside
When you enter the theatre, there's a small lobby. A main staircase on the right leads up to the dress circle. Large double doors lead into the main auditorium. The floor in the main area is flat and made of timber. This was important for dancing and other activities.
The dress circle, where some of the seating is, extends over the back of the main floor. The architects used a clever way to hide the support beam for the dress circle by curving the ceiling.
The original stage opening was like a "picture frame." In 1959, it was made wider and lower for Cinemascope movies. The walls inside have a rough plaster finish with classical decorations.
The ceiling of the theatre was originally very decorative. It had a geometric pattern with wooden lattice-work. This lattice-work helped hot air escape into the roof space. Sadly, this beautiful ceiling was covered or replaced around 1978.
The stage is relatively small, but it was designed to be used for live performances. The dress circle still has its original fixed, upholstered seating, though it needs repair. The two shops next to the theatre entry have been turned into a storage area and a kitchen/refreshment bar.
Special Decorations
The theatre's architects used a classical style. However, some parts of the interior, like the dado molding (a decorative strip along the lower part of the wall) and certain centerpieces, show an Art Deco style. These were likely added later, around 1935.
One unique decoration is on the front of the dress circle. It features a design of trellis-work with vine leaves. This design might represent traditional Greek decorations, possibly added by George Laurantus himself. His family came from the Greek island of Kythera, where such designs were common.
The name "Athenium" itself has a Greek connection. It's a slightly changed spelling of "Athenaeum," which was a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athene and used for teaching.
The theatre's original stage curtains were deep blue with a large "A" and "T" design. The arches in the side walls also had long blue curtains with gold fringes.
Even with some changes over the years, the main parts of the Athenium Theatre are still intact. This helps it keep its original theatrical feel.
Why the Athenium Theatre is Important
The Athenium Theatre is very important for several reasons:
- It shows history: It helps us understand the history of "movie going" in New South Wales. Going to the movies was a huge part of life in the 20th century.
- It's rare: Not many old theatres like this one still exist. It's one of only a few remaining examples of the work of its architects, Kaberry and Chard.
- It connects to important people: It's linked to Sir Nicholas Laurantus, a Greek immigrant who was a successful businessman and helped many people. It also shows how Greek immigrants helped provide entertainment for communities.
- It's a landmark: The theatre stands out in Junee and is easily recognized.
- It has unique art: The special vine and trellis decoration inside shows the influence of Greek culture.
- It's a community symbol: The people of Junee came together to save this theatre. This shows how important it is to the community as a social center. It often acted like a town hall, hosting many different events.
The Athenium Theatre is a special and rare building that tells a big story about entertainment, community, and immigration in New South Wales.
