Regal Theatre

The Regal Theatre is located on the corner of Hay Street and Rokeby Road in Subiaco, Western Australia, and is described as a much loved Subiaco icon. In 1937, playwright Dorothy Hewett's father, A J Hewett, and her maternal grandfather, Ted Coade, commissioned and built a hard-top cinema on the site of the former Coliseum Open Air Gardens. The design was attributed to architect William G Bennett based on a sketch design originating in the office of William T Leighton, and it is considered one of the most important examples of art deco architecture in Western Australia. The Regal was named after King George VI, and the new cinema was officially opened on the evening of Saturday 23rd April 1938. Today the venue presents a programme of comedy, concerts, dance and musical theatre, with contact details at 474 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008.

The Regal Theatre is located on the corner of Hay Street and Rokeby Road and is a much loved Subiaco icon. In 1937, playwright Dorothy Hewett's father, A J Hewett, and her maternal grandfather, Ted Coade, commissioned and built a hard-top cinema on the site of the former Coliseum Open Air Gardens; it is believed the Coliseum was the first theatre built in suburban Perth to show moving pictures. The design for the new cinema was attributed to architect William G Bennett based on a sketch design which originated in the office of William T Leighton, and it is considered one of the most important examples of art deco architecture in Western Australia. The Regal was named after King George VI, who had recently ascended the throne at the time of opening and was later acknowledged by the installation of a crown and lettering spelling out the cinema's name in neon over the front entrance. The new cinema was officially opened on the evening of Saturday 23rd April 1938, with an inaugural program that included Shall We Dance with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and Love Under Fire with Loretta Young and Don Ameche. It is believed that in 1946 the Hewett family sold Clarence (Paddy) Baker the Regal and the outdoor picture gardens situated directly across from the Regal in Rokeby Road, although the Landgate Certificate of Title states it officially passed to Paddy in 1951. Paddy Baker had been associated with the picture industry since childhood, touring around the state showing cartoons, films and newsreels, and at the Regal he established a highly successful Saturday afternoon Children's Film programme.

A much loved Subiaco icon and one of the most important examples of art deco architecture in Western Australia.

Product categories. Live comedy · Concerts · Dance · Musical theatre

1. 1Regal Theatre - Eventsregaltheatre.com.au
2. 2Regal Theatre - History of the Regal Theatreregaltheatre.com.au