History of the Empire Theatre in Barraba

Empire Theatre          

100 Queen St. Barraba

Built circa 1920’s. Former picture theatre which closed down in the  late ‘60s. Run by Cyril Leard and then taken over by Maurie Hagan and Bobby Clifton.  After them, it was run by Warwick Wilson and was then taken over by the Garskes who used the building as the printing works for the local newspaper. 

A single storey building with a large hipped roof and ventilated gambles to the top with an ornate gable-shaped parapet to the front having strongly articulated pilasters, raking caps and art nouveau inspired render detail. The ground floor consists of a central entry way with metal gates and glazed shop fronts (now painted over) are set between strongly articulated brick pilasters at the front.  A suspended metal awning covers the footpath.  To the left hand side is a public entry to the fire escape located between the two buildings and this is under an archway that matches the window lintels.

Memories of the Picture Theatre

My memories of the Barraba Picture Theatre before Maurie Hagan and Bobby Clifton owned it was of a man and wife with the surname Leard.  Mr Leard was in charge of the street lights before they became automated.  There was a building in Clifton Lane and that’s where the lights were turned on and off.  He also ran the picture theatre Saturday afternoon matinee and cartoons.  Maurie Hagan ran the theatre Friday and Saturday nights, news, cartoons and I think two movies (same both nights).  Tuesday nights were a new movie.
There was a staircase near the ticket office to go upstairs to what we called the ‘posh seating’.  Under that there were single upright seats and down the front (I think) was called ‘the stalls’.  These consisted of canvas deck seats which could seat four people.  There was a lot of seat jumping and things being thrown about and that’s when the torch light would come down the aisle and you would hear someone saying: “Here comes Creeping ?? coming, look out!”
Summertime was outdoor movies behind the theatre.  The entrance lane is still there beside the building.
All in all, it was fun and good times, even with that damn torch!  This was while most of us were young and still in school.
Cost us 9 pence – 6 pence to get in and 3 pence for an ice cream.
   Shirley Simmons

The Empire Theatre played an important role in my life as I was growing up.  Every Saturday my family and I went to the ‘pictures’ for the night session. It didn’t matter what was showing, we went anyway, it was our weekly outing.
Before the Theatre opened for business, my Dad would park in the street and the “Sally” band would play and collect donations.  Dad always donated as he had a great respect for the “Sallies”.
The Theatre had three areas with different prices.  The ‘upstairs’ (dearest), ‘downstairs’ back (cheaper) and peanut alley (canvas seats and cheapest).
Occasionally the Projector would break down amid whistles and catcalls until it was working again.
Over the years the Theatre has been used as a Roller-Skating Rink, (a skill I could never master) and a Newspaper Printery.
  Marjorie Urquhart

Up the front were canvas seats where all the kids sat.  There were ordinary seats behind the canvas ones and ordinary seats upstairs.
The Salvation Army played outside the Theatre at half-time.
At half-time we all went over the road to the Sofis’s Café.
  Lesley Grigg