History
The Saraton Theatre was designed by Lismore architect F J Board, for the Notaras family. The builder was Mr Walters. The Mayor of Grafton, Ald W T Robinson, opened the Saraton Theatre on 17 July 1926. (Tod) The Saraton was the first theatre to be built in Grafton. ("Shaky Saraton")
The lessee of the theatre was T J Dorgan Pty Ltd, who organised a film circuit of far north coast cinemas. Dorgan also managed the Regent Theatre at Murwillumbah (operating, but adapted); Roxy Theatre at Kyogle (operating); Fitzroy Open Air at Coffs Harbour (demolished); and the Star Court Theatre, Lismore (operating - live theatre). (Thorne et al 1996, Tod)
The Notaras family was, and continues to be, a prominent family in Grafton. They operated a fruitshop in Grafton, adding a restaurant and milkbar later on. The nomenclature of the theatre illustrates the family interests - Saraton is the reversal of Notaras. (Tod) The theatre is still owned by the family.
During its turbulent history, the Saraton Theatre has experienced three fires. On 20 August 1932 the Saraton Theatre was damaged by fire. The picture screen, stage tab and curtains, baffle board, roof rafters and flooring of the stage were damaged. The Theatre remained closed as a cinema for the next eight years, however occasional dances, concerts and other social functions were still held in the theatre. (Tod)
In July 1940 the Saraton was renovated and remodelled internally by Queensland theatre architect George Rae. The result was an auditorium in the art moderne style. The Saraton suffered a second fire on 10 May 1944. The curtain and screen were destroyed, but the cinema was back in operation by late June 1944. (Tod)
Dorgan continued running the theatre until the early 1960s, when North Coast Theatres and Drive-Ins took over. (Thorne et al) The Saraton was closed in the mid 1960s. Family member Irene Notaras, after extensive renovations, reopened the theatre on 10 December 1982.
The Saraton Theatre suffered a third fire - on 13 January 1989. An employee was charged with setting fire to the projection box. However, the cinema was closed for less than a month.
More recently development and demolition proposals have threatened the Saraton Theatre. The site of the theatre was proposed for a carpark in April 1999 ("Shaky Saraton"), but the placing of an interim conservation order on the theatre stayed these plans. ("Saraton saved")
- Category:
- Movie theater