Save the Regent

Here's everything you need to make an application for the Heritage listing of the Showcase cinema and former mezzanine area. Please take the time to copy this document, personalise it (as simple as deleting the instructions, rewording some of it then adding your name and contact details and sending it to the given address, or feel free to use entirely your own words and other facts you may be aware of).

HERITAGE REGISTER APPLICATION
Application to have the Brisbane Regent “Showcase Cinema” and adjoining vestibule/bar areas heritage listed.
(Includes Cinema 1 and the area formally the mezzanine area in the pre-1978 Regent Theatre, Brisbane).
Heritage Reference Number: 600140
CLOSING DATE FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS IS JULY 6, 2009

Address your written submission to:
The Chief Executive
Quote the Heritage Reference Number: 600140
Postal Address:

The Site Registrar
Cultural Heritage
DERM
P.O. Box 15155
City East
Qld 4002

On what grounds can a submission be argued?

Submissions relating to an application must be made on the basis that the place, the subject of the application, does or does not satisfy one or more of the cultural heritage criteria specified in the Act:
Cultural Heritage Criteria are in bold (below). Address one or more (or better still, all of them) in your letter of submission.
Dot points below in italics are to be used as a guide only. Please do not copy and paste word for word. Use these suggestions to build your arguments and/or whatever you have to say on the subject.
You can enhance your submission by including photographs, newspaper clippings or other relevant documents to further your arguments supporting this heritage application. You can right-click the photos on this site and download them for use in your submission.
Address these criteria (a–h):

a) The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern ofQueensland’s history;
• Only example of 1920s era picture palace left in Brisbane (Cinema 1 area).
• Demonstrates the glamorous Hollywood era of the 1920–30s by its setting, decoration and fittings.
• This area outside Cinema 1 was formally known as the mezzanine promenade in the original theatre.

b) The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage;.

• Showcase cinema and adjoining areas contain extremely detailed plaster panelling directly associated with the Hollywood style picture palace décor of which the Regent is the prime example in Queensland.
• It is the only remaining evidence in Brisbane of such décor.
• Plasterwork, fittings, artwork and furnishings were taken directly from the 1929–78 Regent Theatre auditorium and upper mezzanine promenade before demolition.
• Cinema 1 décor contributes to the illusion of grandeur in the Regent as a Hollywood picture palace.
• Contributes to the design and compliments the aesthetics and decor of the heritage listed grand foyer, staircase and entrance lobby.
• Showcases the past glamour, grandeur and appeal to Queenslanders of this bygone era of entertainment and culture.

c) The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland’s history;

• Cinema 1 and adjoining areas are an accurate depiction of the Hollywood era picture palace, as the original fabric of 1929 was relocated into this area of the current Regent complex.
• Contains original fittings, decorations and plaster work performed by 1920s-era Queensland tradesmen.
• Provides an example of rare theatre construction work by local esteemed builder A. J. Dickenson, who built many important commercial buildings in the city.
• Is the only remaining working example of a former single screen picture theatre in the city.
• Provides the only remaining evidence of decoration common in Brisbane theatres of the 1920–30s.

d) The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places;

• Demonstrates the only remaining example of the spectacular, palatial design of the Hollywood picture palace in Queensland.
• Provides the only remaining example in Queensland of decorative finishes as applied to these particular picture palaces built in Australia in the late 1920s.
• Gives the only insight into the past Queensland era of the silver screen — from the then fading silent era to the talkies and beyond.
• Provides the only example of the escapist style of depression-era picture palaces in Queensland.
• The Showcase Cinema and adjoining vestibule/bar are essential in demonstrating the original visual fantasy and grandeur the public experienced when moving beyond the gothic foyer and grand staircase areas into the theatre proper.

e) The place is important because of its aesthetic significance;
• Aesthetic significance will be lost if the Showcase Cinema and adjoining areas are demolished or removed. These provide a link with the past for the theatre’s original design to be remembered and recorded.
• The community associates the Showcase Cinema and adjoining areas with the past original design of the Regent.
• The subject area compliments the gothic foyer and vice versa.
• Cinema 1 and adjoining vestibule/bar areas have been important contributors to “the Regent experience” since opening.
• Use of these areas by the Brisbane International Film Festival is influenced by it aesthetic appeal, décor and special effect it has on patrons entering these areas.
• It has a unique quality rare in Brisbane entertainment venues.
• There is no other place anywhere else in Queensland providing a sense of harmony like this subject area.
• It has been a centre of assembly, interaction and enjoyment by the community continuously since opening.

f) The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period;

• Subject area provides the only remaining example of high quality, elaborate plaster decoration used in 1920s era picture theatres in Brisbane.
• Area contains unique plaster panels only found in this theatre. Great skill and care was employed in removing and relocating all these original fixtures, fittings and plasterwork from both the pre-1978 auditorium and mezzanine for future preservation.
• Cinema 1 and adjoining vestibule/bar are finished in the original paint colour schemes and decorative effects no longer found elsewhere.
• Provides a rare example of the 1920s era workmanship and skill of the plasterers, artisans and decorators who built these areas.
• Rare example showing use of vintage Craftex finish on walls.
• The triple arched walls in Cinema 1 are unique to the Regent Theatre, being the elaborately detailed and finished originals from 1929. The same applies for the sunburst, barrel vaulted ceiling outside, the pillars, cornices etc etc. These current plaster panels were all moulded and finished on site in 1929.

g) The place has a stronger special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons;
• Probably most of Brisbane’s movie-going public have been to a movie in the Regent, especially in the renowned Showcase Cinema.
• Most patrons would associate the Showcase areas with the Regent rather than the upstairs cinemas.
• It is the favoured upmarket venue for inner city theatre patrons beyond doubt.
• It provides that unique “Regent experience” which would be lost if not preserved and protected. The currently heritage listed gothic foyer and staircase are only a part of this experience.
• The elaborate and unique décor is much loved by patrons and tourists alike. To destroy or remove it would be a tragedy.
• Brisbane International Film Festival favours the subject area for its gala events and opening night premieres due to it ambience, style and historic appeal. If these areas are demolished, the BIFF will have to look elsewhere, after being associated since 1992 with the Regent.
• The subject area provides atmosphere and style other cinemas lack and is a link with the former majesty of the Regent.
• The showcase area is known internationally in cinema circles for its unique design and atmosphere. It is favoured by film studios and distributors for opening nights, special presentations and previews.
• The subject area provides ongoing iconic status to the Regent Theatre, continuing its link since 1929 with cinema in Brisbane. Any removal will diminish this status and this must be prevented through heritage protection.
• The Showcase Cinema and adjoining areas provide the community a link with its historic and spiritual past, that of the old Regent auditorium and mezzanine. Its loss through lack of heritage protection will remove that link and the public’s chance to look into the cultural past which it provides.

h) The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history.

• Design and decorations in Cinema 1 and adjoining areas were created by a Queensland born architect, Charles Neville Hollinshed in 1927.
• Associate architect was Richard Gailey Jr, who drew up the original plans. His father was a famous colonial architect in Brisbane.
• Aaron Bolot was the assistant architect. He graduated in Brisbane.
• Area was part of the flagship theatre for Hoyt’s in Brisbane — the Regent.
• Original furnishings and artworks were personally selected in Europe by Frank Thring Sr, Managing Director of Hoyts in 1929 and a former film company producer.
• The construction of the showcase areas (that taken from the 1929 fabric) was undertaken by skilled local craftsmen of a particular historic period and with specialist methods used. The plasterwork in these areas was all manufactured on site.
• The subject area is an example of the work of 1920s era local painters, decorators, plasterers, masons, carpenters and the like. This sort of craftsmanship and attention to detail is not found today.

REMEMBER: CLOSING DATE IS JULY 6, 2009.