Roxy Community Theatre facts for kids
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The Roxy
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Roxy Community Theatre
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| Former names | Roxy Theatre |
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| Location | 114-118 Pine Avenue, Leeton, Leeton Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°33′07″S 146°24′19″E / 34.551953°S 146.40516°E |
| Type | Civic/Movie theatre |
| Capacity | 880 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1929–1930 |
| Opened | 7 April 1930 |
| Expanded | 1933 |
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Building details
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco/Art Nouveau/Spanish Mission |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Kaberry and Chard |
| Official name | Roxy Community Theatre; Roxy Theatre; Big Red |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 February 2006 |
| Reference no. | 1747 |
| Type | Cinema |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Builders | W. H. Hones for George Conson |
The Roxy Community Theatre is a special old building in Leeton, Australia. It's a place where people can watch movies, enjoy live shows, and attend concerts. It was designed by architects Kaberry and Chard and built between 1929 and 1930. The theatre is also known as Roxy Theatre or Big Red. It is owned by the Leeton Shire Council. This important building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 24 February 2006.
Contents
History of the Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre first opened its doors on 7 April 1930. It was built for George Conson, who was a theatre owner in the Riverina area. The famous architects Kaberry and Chard designed the building.
The name "Roxy" was very popular for theatres back then. It came from a very famous movie theatre in New York City. This showed how much people loved movies and the exciting American lifestyle seen in Hollywood films during the 1920s and 1930s. The original Roxy Theatre in New York, built in 1927, was the biggest movie palace in the world. It was named after a master showman called Samuel "Roxy" Rothapfel. So, the name "Roxy" became a symbol for amazing movie theatres and great shows.
The theatre was built by Mr. W. H. Jones. It originally had 1091 seats on two levels. The Roxy was built in a special style called Spanish Mission. It had large red neon signs that could be seen from far away at night. This was because the theatre was built on top of a hill. Because of these bright red lights, people started calling it "Big Red."
These special lights were put in place in 1933. At the same time, a full-sized concert stage was built. This was to celebrate the theatre's official opening. A very famous Australian singer, Miss Gladys Moncrieff OBE, performed there in October 1933 as part of these celebrations.
In 1977, the Roxy Theatre was in danger of being changed or even pulled down. But the people of Leeton wanted to save it. A meeting was held, and everyone agreed that the theatre should stay open for the community. They also wanted it to remain a movie theatre.
The community worked hard to raise money. A group called the "Save The Roxy Committee" collected $27,000. With this money, the community bought the theatre for $75,000. The Leeton Shire Council then became its owner.
Over time, the theatre was improved. It got a bigger stage and new dressing rooms. Today, it has 880 seats. There are 414 seats downstairs and 474 seats in the upstairs lounge. The Roxy is run by a small team and volunteers. Besides showing movies, it hosts school events, music competitions, and local theatre productions. It has been restored to look like it did in the 1930s.
Design and Features
The Roxy is a beautiful example of a theatre built between the two World Wars. It combines styles like Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Spanish Mission. The building has brick walls, and its front is covered in a special finish. The roof is made of corrugated iron, and the floors are timber.
The theatre has a large concert stage and two levels of seating. It also has a lobby area and a ticket booth. There is even a shop on the west side of the building. Large red neon letters spelling "Roxy" are on top of the roof. There are also many neon lights on the front of the building.
Condition and Upgrades
The Roxy Theatre is in good condition. Some maintenance is always needed for old buildings. In 1992, the Heritage Council provided $15,600 for important repair work. In December 2018, the NSW Government gave an extra $3.9 million. This money helped with a $4.4 million upgrade of the theatre. The Roxy and its shop are still mostly in their original state.
Changes Over Time
- 1933–A larger concert stage and dressing rooms were built.
- 1933–Neon lighting was added to the front and the red "Roxy" sign was installed. These lights were restored in 1992.
- 1995-1998–The electrical system was updated to replace old wiring.
Why the Roxy Theatre is Special
The Roxy Community Theatre is a very important historical building. It is one of the few old cinemas left in country New South Wales. It shows how popular "going to the movies" was in the early 1900s, before television existed.
The theatre was built in 1929. Its design and name were inspired by the famous Roxy Theatre in New York. This shows how American pop culture, especially Hollywood movies, came to Australia. Movies brought new entertainment, ways to communicate, and influenced Australian tastes. This included architecture, fashion, music, and even how people behaved.
The Roxy Theatre is a great example of Art Deco style. It also has Spanish Mission and Art Nouveau elements. It has stayed almost exactly as it was built. Many cinemas from that time are now gone. The Roxy is one of only eleven country cinemas in New South Wales that still look original.
It was designed by Kaberry and Chard, who were major theatre architects. The Roxy is one of only three of their original theatre designs that still exist in New South Wales. It is also rare because it still has its original two levels of seating inside.
Cultural History
The Roxy Theatre shows how important cinemas were in country towns. Its large size, central location, and landmark design prove how popular movies were. Going to the cinema was one of the most popular activities back then.
The theatre's style and name also show how American pop culture came to New South Wales. This brought new entertainment and influenced Australian tastes. The Roxy Theatre in New York was the biggest movie palace of its time. The Leeton Roxy was modeled after it.
The building of the cinema helped Leeton grow. It has been a part of the town for most of its history. The cinema has served the community for 75 years.
Important People
The Roxy Theatre is connected to Gladys Moncrieff OBE. She was a very famous Australian singer in the 1930s and 1940s. She performed at the Roxy in 1933 to celebrate the new stage.
The theatre is also linked to its architects, Kaberry and Chard. The Roxy is one of their original designs that is still mostly unchanged. They designed many theatres, but only a few, like the Roxy, still look as they did.
Beautiful Design
The Roxy Theatre is a rare example of the work of Kaberry and Chard. It is a beautiful country theatre from the 1930s. It has Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Spanish Mission styles. The inside and outside are still very original. You can experience what a country theatre from that time was like.
The theatre's size, dramatic front, and bright red neon signs make it a landmark in Leeton. It can be seen from far away at night, especially with its red lights glowing.
Community Connection
Many generations of people in Leeton value the Roxy. It has been a key place for social events and entertainment for over 75 years. It is a very important part of the community's culture.
The Roxy was the first country cinema in New South Wales bought by its community. This happened in the 1970s to save it from being pulled down. This shows how much people cared about these old buildings. The community raised $27,000 to help buy the theatre for $75,000. The nickname "Big Red" also shows how much the community loves the building.
Learning from the Past
The Roxy is still mostly as it was built in 1930 and with its 1933 additions. This means it can help us learn more about how early theatres were designed and run. It can also teach us about the culture when "talky" movies first came out. There are also old photos and items from the early cinema.
Rare and Unique
The Roxy is rare because it is one of only three intact country cinemas designed by Kaberry and Chard. They designed 57 theatres in New South Wales. The Jadda Centre in Junee and the Montreal Theatre in Tumut are the other two. The Roxy and the Jadda Centre still have special decorative walls near the stage.
The Roxy is also one of only eleven intact country cinemas left in New South Wales. In 1951, there were 351 cinemas in 289 country towns. Now, very few still look like original theatres. The Roxy is one of these rare examples. It is also rare because it still has its original two levels of seating.
The Roxy Theatre is a great example of a 1930s country cinema. It shows how important going to the movies was before television. It also shows how American pop culture influenced Australia. The Roxy is a fine example of Art Deco and Spanish Mission style. It is special because its original inside and two levels are still there. It is also a rare work by the famous architects Kaberry and Chard.
Images for kids
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The Roxy Community Theatre at dusk
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Leeton Roxy Community Theatre viewed from the corner of Kurrajong Ave and Wade Ave South
See also
- List of theatres in Australia
