The Empire Theatre opened in 1909 and continued operation until 1952. It was located at 61 Grote Street, just a little up from Moonta Street. The architect was A Barnham Black and the theatre had a seating capacity of 1,031 patrons (Walker 1995, p. 27)
Empire Theatre, Grote Street [B 13019] c 1952
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia
The Empire was built as a vaudeville theatre, they did however show 'startling moving pictures on the miorama' (New Empire Theatre 1909, p.8) from the opening night, which was Saturday 10th April 1909 (ibid).
The Evening Journal, 3 April 1909, p. 8
Image courtesy of Trove
It wasn't until mid 1910 that the managers of The Empire, Messrs. Lennon, Hyman and Lennon decided to show exclusively moving pictures from Saturday next, June 4th. On the 30th May 1910 they placed an advertisement in the Daily Herald announcing their change in programme.
Daily Herald, 30 May 1910, p. 2
Image courtesy of Trove
This picture of the Empire taken in 1952 shows the interior view taken from the Dress Circle.
Interior of Empire Theatre, Grote Street [B 13020]
Image Courtesy State Library of South Australia
But by April 1954 The Empire would be closed and Peoplestores took over the building.
Peoplestores, Grote Street [B 12989]
Image Courtesy of State Library of South Australia
The building still stands to this day. But there are plans for a major renovation of the Adelaide Central Markets site, which may impact on it.
Image courtesy of Google Maps
References
References:
Amusements, Empire Theatre, Daily Herald, 30 May 1910, p. 2, retrieved 22 March 2021,
New Empire Theatre, The Evening Journal, 3 April 1909, p. 8, retrieved 22 March 2021,
Photo, Empire Theatre, Grote Street [B 13019], State Library of South Australia,
Photo ,Interior of Empire Theatre, Grote Street [B 13020], State Library of South Australia
Photo, Peoplestores, Grote Street [B 12989]
Walker, Dylan 1995, Adelaide’s silent nights: A pictorial history of Adelaide’s picture theatres during the silent era 1896-1929, National Film and Sound Archive
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