The Astor Theatre—Perth, Australia
Posted by: 
Ianatlarge
S 31° 56.052 E 115° 52.338
50J E 393403 N 6466302
An art deco theatre, north of Perth city.
Waymark Code: WMGTTB
Location: Western Australia, Australia
Date Posted: 04/09/2013
Views: 4
The Astor Theatre (sometimes called a cinema, but it is theatre), is located on a busy intersection, surrounded by other similar era buildings, to the immediate north of Perth city. It comprises a single, two and three-storey, masonry, art deco style theatre and cafe. There are several other art decos in the near vicinity, and several other buildings have art deco elements.
The cinema was originally constructed immediately prior to the outbreak of The Great War (World War One). In the late 1930s it was refurbished as an art deco establishment. Though there seems to be a difference of opinion of the actual details of this history.
It is a distinctive building, and one with a long local history.
From the website: (
visit link)
The Astor Theatre has not always been known by this name. When it was first opened on 5 November 1919 it was called The Lyceum. Architect and owner-builder, Simon Bremner Alexander claimed it was the coolest building in the state. At the time this was due to the exceptional ventilation but we will reclaim the title for other reasons.
The venue was multi-purpose back then too and on Tuesday and Thursday nights it was hired for dancing. The orchestra also made use of The Lyceum. Next door to the venue was an open-air theatre where silent pictures continued in the gardens even after sound made its way into theatre.
In 1930 it was reinvented again and named the State Theatre and State Summer Gardens and later in the 30’s it got a facelift and extensive renovations. The gardens were closed in 1970.
Finally in 1941, the venue became known as what it is today, the Astor Theatre. The venue had to lose ‘State’ from its title due to a government decree that no private company could use the term.
As time went on the Astor was spilt into two theatres for adult and Italian films, was used as a bingo hall, accommodated karate and was threatened with extinction when in 1988 there was a call for it to be demolished. Public outcry prevented this and it is now heritage listed.
In 1991, the theatre was completely refurbished again and many of these elements remain today.