Enmore Theatre - A Journey Through Time

Enmore Theatre Time Line

The Enmore Theatre was built in the early 1900s’.

The Wunderlich Limited Album of photographs 1900-1945 noted
“Enmore Theatre Photo Plays Open Air Show Enmore NSW”.

Picture Magazine (August 2, 1920) described it as having been
“an unroofed, tin-walled, uninviting-looking enclosure”

1910 Szarka Brothers buy the theatre and put a roof over three quaters of it.

“The weather kept up well, and they did the business, and soon they were able to spend a good deal of money on turning the theatre into a comfortable up-to-date affair.” (Lone Hand July 1, 1918)

EVERY EVENING AT EIGHT
Matinees Saturday and All Holidays at 2.30

Screening only the Worlds Best Photoplays, Always assured of a Good Night’s Entertainment.

ENMORE THEATRE – An Institution Built upon Pictures, Music and Management

Full Orchestra Popular Prices

“Enmore Theatre opened to the public as a ‘Photo-play Theatre’ in 1912 screening ‘exclusive and refined’ silent movies accompanied by Mood & Sprinks’ Concert Orchestra. …3,000 comfortable seats – 1,000 Bickford Patent Opera Chairs and 2,000 tip-up chairs – which could be enjoyed by patrons at the reasonable prices of 6d. and 3d. respectively.” [MP&P]

The Szarka Brothers were hailed as innovators and leaders in cinema exhibition and live entertainment.

1920 Szarka Brothers ‘New Enmore Theatre’ opened on July 1,
by John Storey Premier of NSW.

This was an extensive renovation by Messrs Kaberry and Chard theatre specialists with suggestions from William Szaka. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the cost of this renovation as 24,000 pounds. Picture Magazine reported that, “with the present building there was a complete transformation… the old conditions have given way to a beautiful palatial structure.”

The theatre has been designed with the object of affording (1) the fullest view of the screen or the stage (there being absolutely no obstructing posts) and (2) the utmost limit in seating comfort.

Four Boxes, “in succession down either side of the dress circle, with a capacity of twelve in every case, and each having for its respective occupants a little promenade balcony entirely to itself. Thus may any of the members of a party in a box, if they wish, go outside for a smoke or a talk.

A series of glass shutters, easily raised or lowered, for the purpose of keeping the vestibule free from dust of the street. Through these passers by may get a clear view of the photographic display within – a most commendable departure from the iron grating generally in use at other picture theatres.

Full upholstered opera chairs have been installed throughout. There is seating accommodation for 2000 – 1000 in the circle, and 1000 in other parts of the building.

The ventilation has been specially designed to give the whole auditorium an abundant supply of fresh air. This is obtained as desired by automatic revolving shutters of huge dimensions placed all around the walls.

The stage has been so constructed as to provide for entertainments on a lavish scale. It has a depth of 26ft. with a proscenium of 23ft. The curtains – like the glass shutters in front and the ventilation facilities – are on the counterweight system. Provision in short has been made for any class of entertainment the Szarkas may from time to time see fit to present.”

The operation of the theatre in 1920 was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald as follows:

“The management announce that the bill will be changed twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays with a vaudeville entertainment under the direction of Mr. Frank Rees every Thursday night. The programme for the opening and the rest of the week will combine musical and pictorial features. Fred Bluit and Ernie Barraclough ‘The Tramp Tenor’ are two members of the new company.”

[MP&P] “It was converted in 1920 to double as a cinema and vaudeville hall with a full orchestra and with an open garden upstairs.”

1924 Everyones in July 1924 reported that… “only recently one thousand pounds was spent on the new vestibule and sometime previously a very fine refreshment room and roof garden was added to the building.”

1926 Szarka brothers join the Hoyt’s chain.

[MP&P] “In 1927, when it was linked to the Hoyt’s chain, it was reconverted into a cinema-cum-pantomime theatre seating 2,150.”
An undated flyer lists the on stage attractions for a Saturday Matinee as being:
Abdul Indian Rajah with
Hotch Potch – the Dizzy Donkey
Bosco – the Musical Maniac

1936 Hoyts buy the Enmore off the Szarkas brothers.

1969 Purchased by Louis Film Company – family owned, private control to screen Greek films – from other text

1970(s) FOH handbook notes: “The theatre reverted to private control by theatre and cinema practitioners.”

[MP&P] “With the decline in theatre attendance in the 1960’s the theatre was purchased in 1969 by the Louis Film Company, a family firm, and reopened as a theatre screening Greek films.”
Later the cinema was closed and was refitted as a modern theatre catering for drama, concerts and rock performances. The stage has been enlarged to 20m long by 13m wide, reducing the effective seating from 1,700 to 1,500.”

[Cultural Heritage of Movie Theatres in NSW – Thorn, Todd & Cork]
‘Hoyts closed the theatre on February 18, 1967.
Sold to Louis Films

Final Screening Saturday 12th May 1984

1980’s Many other theatres close

1986 FOH handbook notes:

“In 1986 the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust took control of the Enmore (as the Trust had done some 30 years earlier with the Majestic Theatre in Newtown) and made substantial improvements to what, by then had become a decrepit theatre.

They initiated stage 1 of the Enmore’s return to former glory with expenditure to the building of then over half a million dollars, realising substantial improvements to the technical facilities and dressing rooms. This enabled the Enmore to once again play host to live presentations with the opening of ‘Lennon the Musical’.”

1991 FOH handbook notes:

“In 1991 Showcall Pty Ltd took over the theatre and made a long-term commitment to the theatre’s full restoration. Since this time the main foyers have been restored and extended, seating and sightlines have been upgraded, the orchestra pit and façade improved.

Expenditure has exceeded $2 million.
Stage 3 will see the redesign of the stage house and facilities, the provision of additional foyer space and the remodelling of the Box Office, Café and Courtyard spaces.”

The owners and operators of the Enmore Theatre have a long history over several generations of theatre management, theatre production and cinema exhibition. This is a business history that is unique to the theatre industry in Sydney.

This multiple role of industry owner/operator/producer allows the Enmore Theatre to be managed in a dynamic and progressive way and to be ideas driven. The capricious and volatile nature of the entertainment industry requires inventive and rapid response to opportunities.