Presenting: Lorne Theatre

Photography
Site by Annika Kafcaloudis
Team by Jack Younger
Published
November 8, 2023

Right Angle’s love for cinema and old buildings runs deep. The two loves have intersected twice already in our lifespan: for the past 10 years at Paramount House, where our Golden Age Cinema & Bar occupies the former Paramount Pictures screening room; and before that, when our Rooftop Cinema crowned the 1920s-era Curtin House, a six-storey Commercial Palazzo-style “vertical laneway” that served for many years as Right Angle HQ. It feels fitting then that our cinematic ventures return to the state where it all began in 2023, as we take over an icon of Victoria’s Surf Coast, Lorne Theatre.

Like with any great old building, Lorne Theatre came with a story. It’s been a pillar of the laid-back coastal community for nearly 90 years, first opening the doors to its 550-person auditorium and mezzanine in 1937 and operating consistently since.

“It has always been a special place for us and we’re deeply aware of the space this building holds in the hearts of generations of local and visiting movie lovers,” Right Angle’s Chief Creative Officer Chris Barton explains. “This shared personal history with the space is why we jumped at this opportunity. It’s a huge legacy to take on, but it’s one that we’re very excited to uphold and build upon.”

Chris Barton, Jessa Shields & Bob Barton on the Lorne Theatre steps. Not pictured: Barrie Barton or Kate Jinx.

Bob Barton, who wears the hat of Design Director for Golden Age, has been working closely with Right Angle’s in-house architect Keith Little on the project. He says the Golden Age Cinema ethos of “the good old days are now” will carry over to the Lorne Theatre as the Golden Age and Right Angle teams seek to infuse the coastal gem with a mix of cinematic magic, atmospheric nostalgia and cultural vibrancy, designed to create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike. Because all good things take time, this summer’s program will provide a prelude ahead of a (hopefully brief) winter intermission in which this dream becomes a reality following an extensive restoration and refurbishment of the space, in conjunction with Heritage Victoria.

Over the coming months, the theatre will host a captivating summer line-up led by longstanding Golden Age Director of Programming Kate Jinx, providing curatorial and exhibition guidance to Cinema Manager, Jessa Shields, a seasoned industry professional whose CV includes roles at Palace Cinema Como, Lido Cinemas and Golden Age Cinema & Bar.

The program will feature a blend of contemporary and classic films, complemented by special film series and live performances. Running through until Easter, the summer series will see new releases and timeless classics run alongside series including the Christmas Cracker film extravaganza and Surfside, a limited film series presented by surf, skate and culture magazine Monster Children.

There’s plenty more news to come, but we call “action!” on 1 December with arguably the greatest concert film ever made, Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, restored and in 4K for the first time.

Tickets and more information available at the Lorne Theatre website.