Spencer’s Films Shown in Young.
Young Witness, 19 June 1914.
“Starting next month a new picture company known as the Lyric Pictures will be running permanently in Young. A complete new plant has been purchased and the pictures are absolutely free from flicker. The fact that the films are coming from Spencer’s in Sydney speaks all that is needed to be said for them as they are known from one end of Australia to another.”
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Lyric Pictures were shown in the building on the corner of Clarke and Burrowa Streets which was later replaced by Kouvelis’ Strand Theatre. The link with Spencer’s films, whose principal showplace was the Lyceum Theatre in Pitt Street, Sydney hence the name Lyric Pictures and Lyceum Hall. However, by 1920, when Kouvelis was showing films in the hall, he used the name Imperial Pictures.
It was the intention of the management to show pictures in the open air through the summer, the open air theatre next door could accommodate 1000 people.
Cowra Free Press, Saturday, 12 March, 1921.
“During the week Mr. J. Kouvelis, picture show proprietor, Young, has purchased the picture shows of his brother, Mr. P . Kouvelis, at Cowra, Temora, and Leeton, hence in the future those well established institutions will be under entirely new Management.”
Seven contractors tendered for the new brick picture theatre to be erected at Young for Mr. J . Kouvelis. The contract for the theatre is the original plan prepared by Soden and Glancy, architects, of Sydney. A modern stage is incorporated in the building, so that in conjunction with the screening of pictures, concert and theatrical items can be presented. A spacious and complete ballroom with all conveniences for serving the supper will be provided.
Mr. Kouvelis had purchased the Lyceum Hall from Mr. W. J. Harnett and immediately improved the standard of picture shown. The hall space proved to be inadequate so Mr. Kouvelis made an offer to council to lease a hall adjoining the Town Hall if such were erected. This was rejected by the ratepayers so he elected to proceed on his own and erected the Strand Theatre.
The Strand theatre was opened by the Mayor of Young Mr. Rabbets on Monday night, 30 April, 1923 for a cost of £12,000. The building contractor was Mr. A. G. Brown of Haberfield, Sydney. A feature of the entertainment on opening night was the introduction of an orchestra, under the baton of Mr. W. J. Philpott, with whom there has been arranged a weekly change of programme.
After successfully operating picture shows and the Strand Theatre at Young for seven years from 1918 to 1925 Mr. Kouvelis sold his business to Mr. A. J. Bartle, whose family had a large Bakery business at Orange.
Frank Bartle operated the theatre at Young for his father. Roy Gordon was another operator who worked for Bartle’s, he had been indentured at Nesbitt’s garage. Alf Goodbier used to sell ‘ Peanuts, Lollies and Chocolates’ from a tray. A long time employee was Miss Ollie Svendsen in the ticket office.
Information for this article was supplied by Ross Maroney.