The Somerville Auditorium at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in Crawley is an iconic open-air “cathedral of trees” venue famous for summer film screenings and concerts. William Somerville, a foundation member of the UWA Senate and historian, imagined a natural outdoor “tree cathedral” defined by towering Norfolk Island pine trees for ceremonial gatherings and concerts. After the trees grew over nearly two decades, the space officially opened for its first public performance—an Everyman’s Music Concert—on February 15, 1945. 1947 Cinema Beginnings: Regular open-air film screenings began at the venue, offering welcome relief during warm Perth summer nights before widespread air conditioning.
1953 Perth Festival: The venue became a foundational home for the inaugural Perth Festival (launched January 3, 1953), hosting under-the-stars concerts, plays, and international films. 1970s Revival: Although facing wear-and-tear and calls for replacement in the early 1970s, the auditorium was revitalized by 1977, reclaiming its prominent place in Western Australia’s arts and cultural scene.
Today, managed by UWA, it is best known for hosting the annual Lotterywest Film Season (running November to April) and the local In the Pines music festival organized by RTRFM.
https://www.ticketswa.com/venue/somerville-auditorium
https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2024/november/uwas-beloved-cathedral-of-trees-gets-a-facelift
https://collected.uwa.edu.au/nodes/view/56461?showbacklinknav=1619
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/living-cathedral-story-behind-somerville-j5hlc/