Balingup Picture Theatre

Statement of Significance

This is a rare surviving example of a picture theatre and is an unusual building type that has aesthetic value for its volume and jarrah weatherboard cladding. It has social significance as it attracted patrons from the surrounding district.

Physical Description

The former picture theatre is a large weatherboard and iron roof hall, 9.2 metres x 18.3 metres, lined with 46 cm jarrah skirting board and jarrah dado approximately 2 metres. The continuation of the building has fibre board walls and ceilings in panels with jarrah battens. The frontage consisted of an enclosed ticket office (west side) and projector room (east side, with outside steps). Between double entry doors two sets of double doors exist. Four large sets of upright windows separated outside toilets at the far boundary on the laneway facing Forrest Street.

History

In 1930, when the new Road Board hall was completed, F. West, E. Hawter, and H. Delavale, were granted the right to screen films there once a month at a cost of 35s. per night. In late 1932, the hall was hired to West to screen films every second Saturday, but Saturdays were popular for concerts, dances etc., hence there were some conflicting views about it. In 1936, after a disagreement with the Board, West decided to build a hall of his own, and submitted plans for a hall to be built on Lot 16, where Balingup Picture Theatre Hall was built that year. In association with his picture hall, West operated an outdoor theatre (theatre gardens) on the vacant land adjoining the building, with a screen placed on the eastern boundary of Lot 16, and using deck chairs from the theatre. The projector viewing area was from the east side of the projector room. A timber planked fence on the street side hid the screen from public viewing. West had his own power plant for the theatre until 1953, when the State Electricity Scheme was extended to Balingup. Fred West screened pictures at Balingup Picture Theatre until the advent of television led to its demise. With low attendances it became economically unviable, and the last films were shown there in c.1964. West sold the property to prominent fruit grower Henry Gubler, who used the hall as a fruit packing shed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: 65-70%
Modifications: Laundry and Bathroom Additions

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.