Montreal Community Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montreal Community Theatre |
|
|---|---|
Montreal Community Theatre, pictured in 2010
|
|
| Location | 46 Russell Street, Tumut, Snowy Valleys Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1929–1930 |
| Architect | Kaberry & Chard |
| Architectural style(s) | Inter-war Stripped Classical |
| Owner | Snowy Valleys Council |
| Official name: Montreal Community Theatre and Moveable Heritage Collection | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 June 2013 |
| Reference no. | 1909 |
| Type | Theatre |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Montreal Community Theatre is a special old building in Tumut, Australia. It's used as both a cinema and a place for community events. It was designed by architects Kaberry & Chard and built between 1929 and 1930. The theatre is also known as the Montreal Community Theatre and Moveable Heritage Collection. The local council, Snowy Valleys Council, owns it. This theatre was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on June 21, 2013, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
History of the Tumut Area
Early History
Before Europeans arrived, the Tumut Valley was home to the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. It was a common meeting spot for other groups like the Bigewal, Ngarigo, Wolgol, and Ngunawal people. During warmer months, these groups traveled through Tumut to the Snowy Mountains. There, they held ceremonies and feasted on Bogong moths. The name Tumut comes from a Wiradjuri word, possibly doo-maaht, meaning "a quiet resting place by the river."
European Settlement
The first Europeans to visit the area were explorers Hume and Hovell in 1824. They crossed the Tumut River and entered the valley. European settlers began arriving in the 1820s.
In the early years, Aboriginal people continued to visit the mountains for ceremonies. A property called "Yellowin" was an important meeting place for different Aboriginal groups. Large corroborees (traditional gatherings) were held there.
The town of Tumut grew slowly. It was planned in 1848, but a big flood in 1952 made people move the town center. In the late 1850s and 1860s, the town grew much faster because of gold rushes nearby. By the 1880s, Tumut had many businesses and homes.
As the town grew, Aboriginal people were pushed away from their traditional lands. By the 1840s, many Aboriginal families lived on a large station near Brungle, close to Tumut. In 1889, about 100 Aboriginal people lived there in huts. A school was built for Aboriginal children in 1888. People received food from the government but also hunted and gardened.
Later, a small area at Brungle became a reserve for a mission. A manager was appointed who had a lot of control over the lives of the Aboriginal residents. The mission grew into a community village with a dairy and gardens. In the 1940s, the government changed its approach, encouraging Aboriginal people to move into towns. The Brungle Reserve officially closed in 1951. Many families moved away, but some returned in the 1980s.
The Montreal Theatre's Story
Building the Theatre
The Montreal Community Theatre was built by John J. Learmont in the late 1920s. The name "Montreal" is actually a mix-up of the letters in "Learmont." This shows how connected his family was to the building. The Learmont family had been in Tumut for a long time. John J. Learmont's father had a shop next door to where the theatre now stands.
John J. Learmont opened his own shop in Tumut in 1912. In 1929, he hired architects Kaberry and Chard to design a movie theatre next to his shop. John J. Learmont was very involved in the design. He visited many theatres in Sydney to get ideas. His family owned the theatre until 1998.
Kaberry and Chard were famous architects for cinemas and theatres in Australia. They designed over 150 theatres, with 57 in NSW. Many of these smaller theatres have been torn down or changed a lot. The Montreal Community Theatre is one of only three Kaberry and Chard theatres in NSW that are still mostly original. The other two are the Athenium Theatre in Junee and the Roxy in Leeton.
The Tumut theatre is still in great shape. The only big change was in 1955 when some stage decorations were removed to fit a wider screen. The floor in the lobby was also changed from carpet to tiles, but the new tiles match the theatre's style.
The Laurantas Family
Local builder Joseph Nyson finished the theatre in early 1930. Nicholas Laurantas, a businessman from Greece, and his brother George Laurantas, leased the theatre.
Nicholas and George came to Australia from the island of Kythera in 1908. Nicholas became a successful businessman, owning or leasing many cinemas in the Riverina area. These included theatres in Gundagai, Cootamundra, Corowa, Lockhardt, the Montreal in Tumut, the Athenium in Junee, and the Roxy in Leeton. George helped manage these businesses.
Nicholas became a leader in the Australian Greek community. He helped people and supported Greek language and culture. He helped set up schools and even a special course at Sydney University for modern Greek. He was knighted in 1979 for his contributions.
Peter Stathis, Nicholas and George Laurantas's brother-in-law, managed the Montreal Theatre every day from its opening in April 1930. He would meet the train to get the latest films. Peter also ran the refreshment room. In 1937, Peter bought the lease for the theatre and he and his sons ran it until 1965.
Grand Opening
The theatre officially opened on April 2, 1930. The local Shire President, Mr. Godfrey, was there. A local entertainer, Stan MacKay, performed. A few days later, the first movie, "The Iron Mask" starring Douglas Fairbanks, was shown.
Theatre Improvements and Community Use
Since the 1930s, the theatre has shown films and hosted live shows. It has been a central part of Tumut's community life. It hosted dances, fundraisers, and charity events. In the 1950s, the Tumut Review Club often performed there.
The theatre was also a highlight for many young Aboriginal people from the Brungle Mission. In the 1930s, they would ride their horses into Tumut to see a film. Later, in the 1960s, people would hitchhike to the theatre.
Important updates included a new sound screen in 1937 and a wider "cinemascope" screen in 1955. At that time, the stage was made bigger.
From the 1970s to 1998, different people operated the theatre. In 1993, it was put up for sale. The community started a campaign to save it, and it was taken off the market in 1994. Volunteers helped clean and paint the theatre, and found old projectors and heaters. In April 1995, a grand opening night was held, and the theatre was full.
In 1997-1998, the community raised money, and with help from a foundation, they bought the theatre for the local community. Grants helped buy a new screen and stage curtains. In 2000, air conditioning was installed, and the roof was repaired in 2004. Much of this work was funded by heritage grants.
What the Theatre Looks Like
Outside the Theatre
The Montreal Community Theatre is built in a style called Inter-war Stripped Classical. This style mixes classic looks with simpler designs. The building includes the theatre shop, the entrance area (foyer), the ticket office, the main seating area (auditorium), and the stage.
The front of the theatre is simple but impressive. A large roof-like structure (awning) extends over the footpath. Above the awning, the front wall has two slim columns and a stepped top. Windows with glass panes are between the columns. The word "Montreal" is written in the center. Above this are three windows for the projection room.
Below the awning are four sets of double doors leading into the theatre. The theatre shop next door has two large windows and a recessed entrance.
Inside the Foyer
Inside the entrance is a small foyer. The ticket office is at the back, with its original copper security screen. Above the ticket office are vents with a cool spider web pattern. Steps on either side of the ticket office lead to the main seating area. The foyer floor was originally carpeted but now has black and white tiles with a star design. The original architectural plans and light fittings are displayed here.
On one side of the foyer, a staircase leads up to the dress circle (upper seating area).
The Auditorium
A narrow hallway connects the foyer to the auditorium. This hall also has an emergency exit. A glass case in the hall displays items related to the theatre's history.
The auditorium floor is made of timber, and the aisles are carpeted. The dress circle (upper seating) hangs over the main floor. It has stepped sections along the sides, which are now used for lights and sound equipment.
The roof is vaulted with a geometric design of sunken panels. This design looks great and gives everyone a clear view of the stage. A decorative metal border runs along the top of the walls. Most of the seats have been replaced, but some original blue leather and velvet seats remain, including a few "love seats" (double seats). Each row of original seating has a wrought iron support at the end.
At the back of the dress circle are the projection box, a work room, and a store room. The original projectors are gone, but there is one similar to what was used.
The auditorium walls are painted a deep cream color, with red details. Large windows on the sides have shutters. These shutters were important for airflow before air conditioning. The theatre also had a special ventilation system that drew cool air from under the floor. This system is still there but not used. Original night lights are along the walls, and both modern and old kerosene lighting systems mark the exits.
The stage has a large, decorative arch made of pressed metal, painted in blue, off-white, and gold. The stage curtains are blue velvet with gold embroidery. The stage floor has been made bigger over time to fit orchestras and school performances. An electrically controlled screen is now used for both films and live shows.
Backstage Area
The backstage area is small. It has storage and ropes for curtains and sets. Behind the stage are a small dressing room and a small greenroom/kitchen. There's also a storage area under the auditorium floor.
Special Items
The theatre has a collection of old items from its early days, including:
- Ticket machines and ticket stub boxes.
- A 1930s pedestal fan.
- Handmade timber and glass exit signs.
- The original stage curtain valance (decorative border).
- A 1930s film projector and its reel box.
Many of these items have been stored and will be cataloged soon.
Condition and Changes
The theatre is in very good condition. Some major changes over the years include:
- 1955: Stage decorations removed for a wider screen.
- 1992: Foyer was updated.
- 1998: Stage arch and curtains were updated.
- 2003: Roof and vents were restored.
Why the Theatre is Important
The Montreal Community Theatre is very important to the history of New South Wales. It's a rare and excellent example of an old movie theatre from a time when going to the cinema was a huge part of Australian life. It has been used continuously for over 80 years as a cinema and live theatre, making it a social hub for the community. Its importance grows as many other old rural theatres have been torn down. In 1951, there were 351 cinemas in NSW, but by 2008, only 11 were still recognizable as theatres.
The theatre also shows the important role of the Greek community in Australian cinema, especially in rural areas. This is seen through its management by Sir Nicholas Laurantas and his family.
The theatre is also significant because it was designed by Kaberry and Chard, famous theatre architects. They designed many theatres, but only a few, like the Montreal, are still intact. Sir Nicholas Laurantas, who was knighted for his charity work, is also strongly connected to the theatre.
The Montreal Community Theatre is a beautiful example of the Interwar Stripped Classical style. Its impressive and unique front makes it a landmark in Tumut. This kind of landmark is rare now because many small rural theatres have disappeared.
The theatre is very important to the Tumut community. People value it highly, which was shown when they raised money to buy the building in 1998.
Because the theatre is so well-preserved, with its original offices, ticket booth, backstage area, auditorium, and old items, it can teach us a lot about the history of movies and cinema-going in rural NSW over the last 80 years.
The Montreal Theatre is a rare example of an interwar country cinema. It's one of only three remaining Kaberry and Chard designed cinemas in NSW. It shows the typical design features of their theatres, like the stepped seating areas.
See also
- Australian non-residential architectural styles
