Images: CTA Australian Tour 2006 (used with permission)
Copyright 2023 -
The State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney.
The State theatre was the vision of Stuart Doyle, director of Union Theatres, it was designed by esteemed architect Henry E. White. It opened on 7/6/1929, it was the last Sydney theatre to be built by Union Theatres before the Great Depression. The theatre included an orchestra pit and a Wurlitzer organ, it is one of the largest theatres to be built in Sydney. The first ‘talkie’ film presentation was on 29/06/1929, 3 weeks after opening.
The screen was changed to screen wide-
The theatre narrowly escaped being demolished in the 1970s, with the Builders' Labourers’ Federation banning the demolition works. It was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register on the 2 April 1999.
Greater Union closed theatre in May 1980 for restoration. 70mm and Dolby Stereo was installed during the restoration works. The theatre was officially reopening on 3/12/1980. Regular screenings ceased in 1986 after the opening of the multi screened George Street cinemas nearby. It is used mostly as 'live' venue today, although it is still used for the Sydney Film Festival each year. The Wurlitzer organ was restored in 2014 and the pipes by 2018.
SIGNIFICANT SYDNEY CITY CINEMAS & THEATRES
THE STATE THEATRE
