Cummins Theatre

Author

Shire of Merredin

Place Number

01574

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Location

31 Bates St Merredin

Location Details

East side, between Mitchell and Coronation Streets

Local Government

Merredin

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1928, Constructed from 1992

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
State Register	Registered	31 May 1996	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	16 Apr 1999	Category 1	Category 1 Recognise and protect through Town Planning Scheme. Photographically record prior to any modification. This place should be considered for inclusion in the State Register of Heritage Places and Register of the National Estate.
Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey	Completed				Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	10 Sep 2001			Heritage Council

Statement of Significance

Built in 1928, opening 11 October, Cummins Theatre is a.unique part of the town's cultural heritage. It was constructed largely of pressed bricks salvaged from several old Coolgardie hotels, and according to folklore these bricks contain three penny-weights of gold to the ton. The theatre's stage, decking and seating of imported Oregon timber were originally part of the Tivoli Theatre in Coolgardie, and the fly tower is made from imported Oregon timber.
The theatre, which still houses its original ticket box, was financed,by James Cummins, the former owner of a Kalgoorlie brewery.
The first tenants, William and Susan Brown, had the theatre equipped for sound production when 'talkies' were still relatively unknown. At that time, only one other theatre in Western Australia and five in Australia were equipped'to show sound films. 'The Singing Fool' with A1 Jolson was shown on 31 October, 1928, with 'Behind the Curtain' starring Myrna Loy being shown the following week.
Operated for many years as a picture theatre the building.was eventually taken over by the Shire of Merredin in 1973.
The theatre was restored in 1992, when a new backstage area was added. It is currently used by the local Repertory Club, established in 1933, and by visiting artists.

Physical Description

The main body of the theatre, behind a front parapet wall has buttraced sides. Extending forward of the theatre is the projection box above the entrance with a shop on either side abutting the street. The shops have separate doorway entrances from Bates Street but otherwise have glass window fronts with stained and patterned glass leadlight windows above. Window framing is bronze. A suspended awning over the footpath is curved in front of the theatre entrance.

History

There is a Bicentennial Plaque on the southern entrance pillar with the following inscription:
"This theatre was built in 1928 by James Cummins largely with bricks salvaged from old Coolgardie hotels and reputed to contain three penny-weights of gold to the ton. The stage, decking and seating came from the Tivoli Theatre in Coolgardie. The theatre was one of the first in the State to be equipped with sound projection."

Integrity/Authenticity

Apart from the rear addition, the building has a very high integrity.

Condition

Very Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	"Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" booklet	WA Heritage Committee	1988
	"Merredin Tourist" booklet	Merredin Tourist & Information Centre (Inc)	1979

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
4887	Cummins Theatre, Merredin : conservation plan.	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	1992
9337	Cummins Theatre Merredin	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	2007

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Theatre or Cinema
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Theatre or Cinema

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

31 Jan 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.