Picture Perfect: Taree’s Civic Theatre

While the other buildings down Pulteney Street slept, Taree’s Civic Theatre teemed with life. Its glass doors welcomed patrons into its newly formed entrance hall, where Anna Hatsatouris, wife of theatre manager and co-owner George Hatsatouris, manned the box office. A milk bar stood eager to feed in the space facing Albert Street.

Up past the Grecian statue resting in a niche on the staircase, a lavishly carpeted foyer ushered them into a second-story auditorium of 1000 seats. The “Rolls Royce” of cinema equipment – Gaumont-Kalee – set out to provide precision widescreen entertainment, including for those perched in the dress circle.¹ Welcome to the Magnificent “Civic” Theatre of Perfection,² read the 1955 opening night programme.

George purchased the building known as Bower Hall with his older brother Peter in 1941, renamed it the Civic Theatre and renovated it ahead of its initial 1941 opening night. Over time he rebuilt it completely to reflect the ultimate theatre experience and brought in not only films but concerts too.³ For the Hatsatouris brothers, Taree’s high economic growth was reason enough to relocate and extend their family business venture⁴ beyond where it began at the Empire and Ritz theatres in Port Macquarie. Partial fire damage saw the Civic Theatre converted into shops in 1982.⁵

Author: Kaylah McGilvray