PUT your glad rags on for a night of 1930s glamour at the Star Theatre in Invermay.
The art deco theatre is opening its doors for the first time in 48 years from April 15-17, with a festival of films, history presentations and parties.
The festival will give the public a last chance to see the original movie theatre, which last operated as a cinema in 1969, before it undergoes a series of renovations.
On the Saturday night a Great Gatsby-inspired red carpet event (paying homage to the building’s 1930s roots) will be the highlight of the festival, showcasing Tassie food, beer and wine, with live music and visual presentations on a temporary film screen.
The theatre, which opened in 1937, operated for 32 years before closing. The building was sold to the St Vincent de Paul Society and became an op shop.
Last March, Launceston trio Andrew Quaile, Ben Davis and Paul Lee-Archer bought the site with a view to restoring the cinema.
The refurbishment will return the theatre to its roots as an independent movie theatre akin to the State Theatre in Hobart.
Mr Lee-Archer said the festival was about engaging the community. “We’re lucky there’s quite a lot of the original fittings inside for people to look at.”
Plans include building two theatres; a 300-seat theatre with a dress circle and more informal stall area and a second, more intimate 50-80 seat theatre; and a small on-site microbrewery.
It is hoped the renovations will be finished by the end of the year.
- www.launcestontickets.com.au or find The Star Theatre Launceston on Facebook.
