C 1910-1919
Image courtesy of SLSA
In the 29 September 1911 edition of the The Express and Telegraph there is a mention of a new picture theatre about to open. The Central Picture Theatre, named because of its central location in the city of Adelaide. It was located on Wakefield Street only a little way away from Victoria Square. It was initially planned for seating of 1500 patrons, with the plan to increase with another 700 seats if needed in the future.
29 September, 1911
The Express and Telegraph
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A little over two weeks later on October 14, 1911 in The Register, there appears a Prospectus for the sales of 30,000 shares to the general public to raise the capital needed to build this new theatre. Each share was to be sold for £1.00.
14 October 1911, The Register
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Opening night was set for Thursday 11 July 1912, although the Saturday Mail erroneously advertised it as 1902.
6 July 1912
Saturday Mail
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The day after opening The Advertiser ran a small article/advertising which tells much about the interior of the theatre. The screen is described as the largest in Adelaide at 30ft by 27ft. It goes into a lot of details including about the wiring of the property, as well as outlining the safety features such as the use of asbestos to help prevent possible fire started by the highly flammable nitrate film spreading. Suction fans will be used in summer time to suck out the hot air to keep the patrons cool. There is seating for 1400 patrons.
The Advertiser, 12 July 1912
Image courtesy of Trove
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