October 18-25 is WA Week and the State Library of Western Australia will be celebrating our great state’s past, present and future with a range of informative tours, and presentations.
A highlight of the week’s events will be ‘On the Trail of Lost Theatres’, an anecdotal wander through the cinemas and theatres of Perth’s past with theatre historian, Ivan King.
Mr King says the event will be a ‘lament for Perth’s lost theatres and cinemas’ and will include images from the State Library’s collection, memories and charming historical anecdotes.
‘In the early 1920’s of course there was no air conditioning -and you can imagine what that was like in a confined space such as a cinema- so usherettes used to walk down the aisles with fly-spray cans filled with perfumed water’ said Mr King.
‘I don’t know if it cooled people down, but at least they smelt nice.’
The theatres and cinemas of the past played an important role in the social and cultural history of our state. Nightlife in many areas sprung up around cinemas in the 1920’s when that was the main entertainment option, and this is still evident in inner city areas. The Regal Theatre is still a focal point of Subiaco’s ‘main drag’, the Astor in Mt Lawley, Luna in West Leederville and the Cygnet in Como are all central to the area’s nightlife.
On the Trail of Lost Theatres is at the State Library Theatre on Tuesday, October 20 from 2-3pm.
For more information on all the WA Week events see the State Library website: www.slwa.wa.gov.au
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