WEST’S THEATRE SUBIACO
In May 1928, Lou Harrison is noted as working at West’s Theatre.
West’s Theatre, Subiaco, has during the past four months, been remodelled and modernised. This work has been carried out by Mr. L. A. Harrison, contractor, according to plans prepared by Mr. R. Rosenthal, A.R.I.A., architect. West’s Theatre, Wests Theatre & Picture Co; Wests Picture Theatre; Wests Picture Palace was located at 440 Hay Street, Subiaco and was constructed in 1912. The 1910 Post Office Directory lists, on the northern side of Hay St between Catherine St and Rokeby Rd, what appears to be a mix of private residents and shopkeepers at this time. In June 1911 an article in the West Australian newspaper makes reference to the construction of three new theatres for Wests Pictures Ltd, in Perth, Fremantle and Subiaco. On 15 June 1911 Architect T Anthoness invited tenders for the ‘erection of a picture palace in Hay St Subiaco for Wests Pictures Ltd’, so it likely he was responsible for the design. It is understood local firm the Mizen Bros were responsible for the construction of the place. The certificate of title records a lease to Wests Pictures Limited of New South Wales in March 1912 for a period of fifteen years. The 1911 newspaper article notes that Wests started operating in Western Australia three years previous, commencing in space at His Majesty’s Theatre, and then leasing Queen’s Hall which was owned by the Wesley Church. The company built Melrose Theatre/Gardens in Murray St, Perth (adjoining the cnr of William St) c.1910, also to a design by Mr Anthoness, which was built by Mr Guthrie. Wests was also proposing the construction of a comparable theatre in Fremantle, designed by Mr McNeece to be known as Princess Theatre (P953 Princess Theatre (fmr) [1912]), with a ‘smaller edition’ in Hay St Subiaco to be known as the Palace Theatre with open-air gardens adjacent. The article acknowledges that particular attention would be paid to ventilation so the theatres could be used in both summer and winter. Amongst the features for inclusion were a deep double roof with solid walls ceasing all round within 6ft of the under-roof with the gap being fitted with louvre shutters which can be opened in summer to encourage air flow and closed in winter. It is also noted that seating would primarily be on the ground floor albeit rising gradually in tiers to the rear. Wests Picture Gardens in Subiaco was officially opened on 22 January 1912 by the Mayor of Subiaco Mr J Chesters. However, the article notes that the theatre itself was not yet completed and that the performances would be held in the adjacent gardens until the building was finished. An article on 27 January 1912 suggests that ‘Subiaco….enjoys the distinction of being the only suburb in the metropolitan area possessing a permanent picture hall’. The theatre building was completed by April 1912 with a newspaper article noting that ‘an entirely new programme will be presented by Wests Subiaco management to-morrow night to celebrate the opening of the theatre adjoining the gardens.’ In June 1912 Empire Day celebrations were held at the theatre with a Mr Brooks being the theatre’s manager at that time. By October 1912 the Theatre was open and under new management. The 1916 Post Office Directory lists ‘Wests Pal Th & Pict Co.’ with Phillip Appleby listed as the theatre’s manager. The same entry appears in the 1918, 1922 and 1923 Post Office Directories. In 1923 the lease to Wests Pictures Limited was surrendered with a new lease to Phillip Norman Appleby, Business Manager of Wests Pictures Subiaco, and Edwin Alfred Whittaker, timber merchant of Subiaco. The lease is noted as being until 31 August 1926. The 1926 and 1928 Post Office Directories no longer list Phillip Appleby as the manager so he had likely moved on by that time and it is understood he took over as manager of the Regal Theatre. In 1925 a video of Hay Street Subiaco shows glimpses of the frontage of the theatre which, at that time, exhibited a Federation Free Classical façade with a ‘rusticated entrance, a projecting oriel window to the upper level….and a dominant verandah with a domed opening to highlight the entrance. The verandah was supported on posts with decorative brackets.’ An image of the theatre in a book commemorating ten years of the motion picture in Australia shows quite a different façade to that which is present today. This is in part due to the remodelling of the theatre’s façade in 1928 to plans prepared by Architect Samuel Rosenthal, a common practice during this period due to the popularity of Art Deco/Modernist architectural styles at that time. [1]
WEST’S THEATRE, SUBIACO.
West’s Theatre, Subiaco, has during the past four months, been remodelled and modernised. This work has been carried out by Mr. L. A. Harrison, contractor, according to plans prepared by Mr. R. Rosenthal, A.R.I.A., architect. The building, it is said, now embodies every comfort, and convenience of modern theatre construction, including an attractive, decorative lighting system. The reformed theatre will be officially opened by the Mayor of Subiaco (Mr. G. Roydhouse) tonight, and an attractive programme, prepared for the occasion, will include “The Jazz Girl” and “Young April” with a vaudeville act by “Athlone” and a number of supporting attractions. There will be a complete change of programme on Monday night. Seats may be booked by ‘phone (A1557).[2]
[1] https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/public/inventory/printsinglerecord/0e73edb0-ef4b-4e7b-aa72-69d2dcc90c91
[2] The West Australian Saturday 7 April 1928 page 7