TheatreLinks

International Theatres

Cinema and Theatre Historical Society (AUSTRALIA)
http://www.caths.org.au/
“The aims of CATHS are to record the history of cinemas and theatres, and to promote interest in theatre heritage and architecture, and other related areas.” Great links to the fine theatres down under.

Drive Ins Downunder (AUSTRALIA)
http://www.drive-insdownunder.com.au
Is this an international site or a DI site? It's BOTH! 1954 heralded the premiere of Australia's first drive in, and 294 more were to follow. A fun tribute site with excellent photos and well written narrative.

National Trust of Australia (AUSTRALIA)
http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/cinalertjuly2001.html
Discussion about saving remaining Aussie cinemas and the struggles they face.

Theatre Organs Under the Southern Cross (AUSTRALIA)
http://theatreorgans.com/southerncross/index.htm
Web master Ian McIver writes: "the site is primarily concerned with theatre organs, (but) I am giving coverage to the buildings that housed them as well. In the longer term, other countries south of the Equator will be added to the site's coverage." Definitely worth a look!

Astor Theatre (Kilda AUSTRALIA)
http://www.astor-theatre.com/
Jim Rankin's review of this interesting site: The history given there is rather skimpy, but the owner is obviously and rightfully proud of the condition of this 1100-seat modest Art Deco house. There are several good photos, and that panoramic one of the auditorium is especially welcome.

Capitol Theatre (AUSTRALIA)
http://www.capitoltheatre.com.au
A beautiful website for a beautiful theater. Includes a large photo and history section.

Capitol Theatre (Melbourne, Victoria AUSTRALIA)
http://communication.students.rmit.edu.au/projects/capitol/

Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace (Cremorne NSW AUSTRALIA)
http://www.orpheum.com.au
The historic Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace is a six cinema complex located in Cremorne on Sydney's lower North Shore. The Orpheum opened in October, 1935 with seating for 1,700 people on two levels and offered a standard of comfort which was second-to-none, a tradition which continues to this day.

Marriner Theatres (Melbourne, Victoria AUSTRALIA)
http://www.marrinertheatres.com.au/
Four lovely historic theaters, restored and in use. Excellent photos and history. If you have Flash installed, you can take a virtual tour of each of these sites.

Regent Theater (Melbourne AUSTRALIA)
http://www.regenttheatremelbourne.com
The story of one man’s fascination with a classic theater.

and also...
http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provenance/
(then click on 'Rescuing the Regent Theatre)

Queensland Picture Theatre Data Base (Queensland AUSTRALIA)
http://www.gu.edu.au/gart/qldpic/qmthome.htm
While we would love to think of the movie palace as a uniquely American idea, this site from Australia shows classic theaters from the other side of the globe. Of particular interest is a page link entitled "How to Research Picture Theatres."

Orpheum Theatre (Sydney, New South Wales AUSTRALIA)
http://www.orpheum.com.au
Click on the "Orpheum Tour" button on the lower half of the screen for some stunning photos and detailed tour narrative. Hint: Maximize your screen for best view and if you don't see the gloved hand directing you to the next screen, scroll to the right. (This site overlapped my old monitor just a touch.)

State Theatre (Sydney, New South Wales AUSTRALIA)
http://www.statetheatre.com.au/
The theatre features the second largest cut crystal chandelier in the world!

Empire Theatre (Toowoomba, Queensland AUSTRALIA)
http://www.empiretheatre.com.au/main.php
A fantastic Art Deco Theatre in regional Queensland. Fairly recently re-furbished.

Fundacao Theatro Municipal (Rio de Janeiro BRAZIL)
http://www.theatromunicipal.rj.gov.br/
Tom DuBuque sent this site in, saying “in researching a trip to Rio this summer I came across this site that is in Portuguese but if you click on 'O Theatro' and 'visita virtual' you get dozens of great photos of this great opera house.”

Enright's Theatres of Canada (CANADA)
http://www.geocities.com/mister_canuck
Webmaster Matthew Enright's home page states: "Once upon a time... people didn't have TV's and there was no such thing as Nintendo or Gameboy. For entertainment, people went to the movies." From thence he launches into a very entertaining, graphic rich site on the theaters of our Canadian friends.

Capitol Theater (Nelson BC CANADA)
http://www.capitoltheatre.bc.ca
The 1927 Capitol Theatre provides recreation and entertainment not only for Nelson, but for the entire Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. Includes a few small photographs.

Capitol Theatre (Moncton NB CANADA)
http://www.capitol.nb.ca
The Capitol Theatre has been a focal point for community activity since 1922. The adjoining Empress Theatre has been very popular for the taping of television specials. It’s a beautifully done web site is available in both English and French and includes a virtual tour that’s not to be missed.

Imperial Theatre (St. John NB CANADA)
http://www.culturenet.ca/imperial/imperial.htm
Take the "About the Imperial" link for photos or a detailed history page.

Garrick Theatre (Bonavista NL CANADA)
http://www.garricktheatre.ca/
The Garrick Theatre in Bonavista opened to the public on Christmas Day, 1945. The Garrick finally closed in 2000 and the theatre was donated to the Bonavista Historical Society in 2003. It is one of the oldest surviving theatres in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Lunenburg Opera House (Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, CANADA)
http://www.lunenburgoperahouse.com/
Modeled after European music halls, the opera house was built from local timbers in 1907/1908 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It was renamed The Capitol in the 40’s and converted to a movie house. It is now being restored.

Capitol Theatre (Port Hope, Ontario CANADA)
http://www.capitoltheatre.com/Default.html
A little jewel of a theater! The history section is very well done with many vintage photos.

Centre Cinema Imperial (Montreal, Quebec, CANADA)
http://www.ffm-montreal.org/en_impe_index.html
Opened to the general public on April 26, 1913, the Imperial was designed by architect Albert E. Westover of Philadelphia and built for the Keith-Albee Vaudeville Organization. Contains a nice photo archive.

Granada Theater (Sherbrooke, Quebec, CANADA)
http://www.theatregranada.com
Since 1929, the Granada Theater has been a popular gathering place. In 1997, the City of Sherbrooke acquired the Granada Theater thanks to a generous donation to the Foundation Lagassé JA Louis de Sherbrooke.

Centenary of the Cinema, RCHME (ENGLAND)
http://www.rchme.gov.uk/cinema.html
The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England's site honors the first 100 years of cinema in England. Many nice photos (clickable) of British cinemas. Sent by Richard Sklenar, from the Bulletin of the CTA (Cinema Theatre Association), the British equivalent of THSA.

Cinema Theatre Association (ENGLAND)
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk
Our sister organization in the UK now has its own attractive site with lots of interesting information! Be sure to visit and have a look.

Picture Palaces in Great Britain
http://www.tnunn.f2s.com/pp-main.htm
A personal web site, devoted to the Picture Palaces in Britain, some gone, many still around and being used differently. Photos taken in 2002.

Theatres Trust (UNITED KINGDOM)
http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/
Functioning much like the US's League of Historic American Theaters, this British society serves the historic theater restoration in the areas of management and profit. A much needed service once the theater is saved and restored! Lots of "how to" advice on this site.

A Tribute to Cinema in Bristol (Bristol ENGLAND)
http://ourworld.cs.com/cinemabris
A personal site, suggested by William Hooper. Photographic essays of historic theaters in Bristol.

Grand Theatre (Blackpool ENGLAND)
http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/information/6/266/Blackpool-Theatres
This page contains images of Blackpool theatres, past and present. These include box plans for the Opera House, Palace Theatre, Grand Theatre, Tower Aquatic & Variety Circus.

Theatre Royale (Chatham ENGLAND)
http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/
Submitted by THSA member Bob Ashley, who puts it well when he says this theatre "is not your basic C. Lamb Rapp." You are correct, sir!

Minack Theatre (Cornwall ENGLAND)
http://www.minack.com
A site link from Tom Jeffery, who notes, "the theatre is a rustic outdoor affair made of stone, overlooking Porthcurno Bay. Its looks are deceiving, because one might get the impression that the amphitheatre was built by Roman legions in ancient days. NOT SO! -- it was built in the early 1930s. The URL has a number of good color pictures. Take a look at it -- I'm sure you will enjoy."

The Picture Palace (London ENGLAND)
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~lfbarfe
Comprehensive information gathered by Louis Barfe on cinemas in London and other areas of England, with excellent photos. The site also features a review of books on British cinemas and theatres, as well as current news and events and links to other related sites. There's information about the Cinema Theatre Association [England], too.

Wilton’s Music Hall (London ENGLAND)
http://www.wiltons.org.uk/
Wilton’s is the last surviving and oldest grand music hall in the world. For close to 30 years, starting in 1859, Wilton’s was alive with the magic of classical overtures, opera, choral, folk, dance, burlesque, circus acts, comedy and contemporary songs. Today is once again becoming a vital part of the East End community and an exciting and exotic venue for national and international audiences.

Paramount Theater [now Odeon Cinema] (Newcastle Upon Tyne ENGLAND)
http://www.preservetheparamount.co. uk
Stunning vintage photos of this classic deco cinema. Also, an opportunity to sign their petition to save it from demolition!

The Georgian Theatre Royal (Richmond ENGLAND)
http://www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
Built in 1788 by actor-manager Samuel Butler, Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse was closed 1848, reopened 1963 and restored and extended in 2003. The archives are under construction, but there’s still plenty to look at.

Plaza Theatre (Stockport, Cheshire, ENGLAND)
http://www.stockportplaza.co.uk/
Read about the saving and planned restoration of this lovely 1932 theater in the UK, that spent almost 40 years as a bingo hall.

Gaumont Palace (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.paris18.net/cgi-bin/linterpress/app.pl?AK=18V1&action=AfficherArticle& numero=65&code_article=200108281444582
Even though the site is in French, the photos of the Gaumont Palace, Paris' greatest movie palace (now gone), are breathtaking.

Grand Rex (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.silverscreens.com/ rex_en.html
The last remaining historic movie palace in Paris. And the site is in English for your surfing ease!

Paris Opera House (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.operadeparis.fr
Now known as the Opera Garnier. For great photos, click on "Visites."

Silver Screens (FRANCE)
http://www.silverscreens.com/main.html
An interesting personal web site, many good photos of theaters here and abroad. The site is in English with an option to choose the text in French as well.

The next two sites are in French, but you can use the translator at http://world.altavista.com

Casino de Paris (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.casinodeparis.fr

Folies Bergere (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.foliesbergere.com

"Memoirs of a Projectionist" (Paris FRANCE)
http://www.babel.fr/seita/
A wonderful site (available in English) featuring a unique French exhibition celebrating movie theatres of Paris and those who worked in them; a real labor of love! Numerous photos, plus audio and video clips.
WEBMASTER'S NOTE: This excellent site is evidently no longer in operation; does anyone know if it has moved elsewhere?

Art Deco Ireland (IRELAND)
http://www.geocities. com/Paris/Salon/6941/deco1.htm
This website has several cinema and theatre pages, including those in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Athlone, mostly demolished.

Tuschinski Theatre (Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS)
http://www.tuschinski.nl/tuschinski.asp?bios_id=2
Here is the new link to the Tuschinski Theatre. The site is only in Dutch, but there are some great pictures of this cinema on this site! Link on the Lokatie (location) button at the top of the homepage. On the next page there is a link on the left site called foto's (photos). Then you can watch the pics of the theatre. There is also the possibility to have a virtual look. This link is under the photos.

Also:
http://www.rnw.nl/culture/html/tuschinski011119.html
Gorgeous photos chronicle the restoration of a stunning theater.

Friends of the Civic (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
http://www.civictheatre.co.nz./
From our friends far away comes this dramatic site of an extraordinary theater. Super photos and a detailed history page.

Theatres in Saint Petersburg (Saint Petersburg RUSSIA)
http://www.ostwest.com/en/russian-cities/stpetersburg/sightseeing/theatres/

Bruce's Super Cinema Website (SCOTLAND)
http://www.scotland-heritage.org
A wonderful site, some sections under construction, but well worth the visit. Bruce thoughtfully includes some delicious art deco Paramount theaters in and around London "especially for our American viewers!"

Glasgow Cinemas (SCOTLAND)
http://www.glasgowcinemas.co.uk
Stuart Neville writes, "I recently started my own website on the history of cinemas in Glasgow, Scotland." Thanks Neville!

Glasgow Cinemas (Glasgow SCOTLAND)
http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/~gbarr/cinemas/
Scores of links to Scottish theaters, our first entries from that corner of the UK! Some are operational, some just a pleasant memory. Gordon Barr has done an outstanding job of listing and maintaining this complex website.

Glasgow Empire Theatre (Glasgow Scotland)
http://www.freewebs.com/glasgow-empire/
Quite an interesting site, created by Bob Bain, and devoted to the "late" Empire Theatre, that was demolished in 1963. This site is full of information about the Empire and its history. Take a long look.

Draken Cinerama (SWEDEN)
http://www1.tripnet.se/~adler/draken/
Great vintage photos and history showing the wide-ranging appeal of Cinerama. THS's own Kjell Furberg was a contributor to this site.

Kjell Furberg's Swedish Cinema Theatres (SWEDEN)
http://www.algonet.se/~furberg
A wonderfully done site on the history of cinema in Sweden by our new (and thus far only) THSA member there, recently translated into English for us to enjoy!

Vinterplatset [The Winter Place] (SWEDEN)
http://www.comp.brad.ac.uk/research/GIP/pictureville.html
This Swedish Cinerama site has wonderful pictures and a great narrative by the Swedish Widescreen Centre.

Serbian National Theatre (Novi Sad YUGOSLAVIA)
http://www.snp.org.yu/
The home page allows you to select the English language version of this elegant, inviting website. Founded in 1861, the site details the long and dramatic history of this theater company. Please be patient with the somewhat longer than normal load time for this site. After all, it is coming a LONG way! P.S. Director Ivan M. Lalic extends a cordial invitation for all THS-ers to visit him and his theater should you be in the neighborhood.

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