| Reference Type |
Geelong Advertiser
newspaper
|
| Title |
Blaze at the Embassy Theatre Chilwell |
| Town |
Geelong |
| State |
VIC |
| Country |
Australia |
| Publication Date |
00-00-1957 |
| Citation Date |
|
| Page Number |
Unknown |
| Comments |
This newspaper article gives some valuable history regarding the construction of the original building that was to become the Embassy theatre in Chilwell. The article also notes the demise of the theatre in an accidental fire. The information was contemporary and also gives an insight into the value of the cinema to the community and how well loved it was.
Sir Charles Sladen who was an early settler in Chilwell was the benefactor of the original structure and was one of the main reasons for the building being built. The building was erected in 1899 by Messrs Carter and Dickson for the cost of 700 pounds. The building was named Sladen Hall after Charles Sladen to recognise his contribution to the project.
The structure was 58 years old when it burnt down on the 17th of November in 1957. A cigarette butt left by a patron in the backstage area in the evening was thought to have caused the fire and it consumed the building in the early morning in a matter of minutes. No one was in the building at the time thankfully. Geelong advertiser noted that a crowd of nearly 500 people gathered to watch the blaze that was seen as far away as Werribee and Queenscliff. Some bystanders wept at the sight. It was clear that the fire had an emotional affect on the public and it denotes how important the Embassy theatre was and that it was destroyed in its prime. |
tags: Charles Sladen
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