Star Theatre, Invermay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Star Theatre |
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The Star Theatre when it housed the St. Vincent de Paul Society
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Streamline Moderne |
| Location | 217B Invermay Road, Invermay, Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 41°25′06″S 147°08′03″E / 41.4182°S 147.1342°E |
| Opened | 5 October 1937 |
| Owner | Michael Smith |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 250 |
| Place ID: | 4,412 |
| Status: | Permanently Registered |
The Star Theatre is a cool old movie theatre in Invermay, a suburb of Launceston, Australia. It's famous for its special design style called Art Deco and Streamline Modern. When it first opened in 1937, lots of people could watch movies there – 852 seats! After showing films for many years, the theatre closed in 1969. Then, in 1971, a charity called the St. Vincent de Paul Society bought it. They used it as a shop to sell donated items.
Years later, in 2015, three people named Andrew Quaile, Ben Davis, and Paul Lee-Archer bought the building. They worked hard to bring it back to life as a movie theatre. The Star Theatre opened its doors again on April 6, 2018. In 2022, a new owner, Michael Smith, bought the theatre. He also owns the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, Victoria, Australia.
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The Star Theatre's History
The Star Theatre has a long and interesting past. It first opened way back in 1937. This was a time when movies were very popular. The theatre was a big place where many people could gather.
Early Days of the Theatre
When the Star Theatre first opened, it was a grand cinema. It had enough space for 852 people to sit and enjoy films. This made it a very important place for entertainment in Invermay. People would come to watch the latest movies and newsreels.
Changing Times and New Uses
After many years of showing movies, the theatre closed its doors in 1969. It was no longer used as a cinema. In 1971, a charity group called the St. Vincent de Paul Society bought the building. They turned it into a special kind of shop. This shop sold second-hand items to help people in need. It was known as a charity store.
Bringing Movies Back to Life
For many years, the building was a charity shop. But in 2015, three people had a great idea. Andrew Quaile, Ben Davis, and Paul Lee-Archer bought the old theatre. They wanted to make it a movie theatre again! They worked hard to fix it up and make it modern.
The theatre officially re-opened on April 6, 2018. It became an independent cinema. This means it shows a variety of films, not just big blockbusters. It also has a café and a bar. In 2022, Michael Smith bought the theatre. He is known for owning other cinemas, like the Sun Theatre.
Unique Design and Style
The Star Theatre is special because of its design. It was built in two cool styles: Art Deco and Streamline Modern. These styles were popular in the 1930s.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco is a design style that uses bold shapes and patterns. It often includes geometric designs and rich colors. Buildings with Art Deco style look very fancy and modern for their time.
What is Streamline Modern?
Streamline Modern is a bit like Art Deco. It focuses on smooth, curved lines. It makes buildings look like they are moving or like fast trains. This style often uses simple, clean shapes. The Star Theatre has elements of both these cool styles.
