“King of Newtown” a man crowned himself that here. That was William Szarka. Let me tell you about The Enmore Theatre. It stands as Sydney’s longest-running live theatre. The Enmore Theatre hosts concerts comedies and plays. It embraces all performance types.
The Enmore Theatre has a rich history. It opened first as a photo-play theatre in 1912. The Szarka Brothers ran it. They were a well-known theatre family. Silent movies flickered on the screen. A concert orchestra accompanied them. Patrons paid just pennies to enter The Enmore Theatre.
William Szarka was quite the character. He served on the local council. He then crowned himself “King of Newtown”. This happened right on The Enmore Theatre stage. He wore regal robes and had pageboys. Szarka was also a boxing promoter. He and his brother George ran the Olympia Stadium.
In 1920, the Szarka brothers renovated The Enmore Theatre. Premier John Storey reopened it. The renovations cost 24000 pounds. The Sydney Morning Herald reported this. Kaberry and Chard were the architects. They designed it in the Inter-war Spanish Mission style.
Talking pictures arrived in 1928. Cinema attendance surged at The Enmore Theatre. In 1936, the Hoyts cinema chain purchased the venue. They bought it from the Szarka brothers.
Hoyts then rebuilt The Enmore Theatre in 1937. Charles Bohringer & Associates designed it. This was in the Art Deco style. J. Marron was the builder. This Inter-war Art Deco style is protected today. It is listed as a local heritage item.
The Enmore Theatre closed as a cinema in 1967. It reopened in 1969. The Louis Film Company bought it. They screened only Greek Films. The venue became the Finos Theatre. This was popular among the large Greek population nearby.
The 1980s brought decline to Sydney theatres. Many closed down. The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust took control of The Enmore Theatre. They restored it. The Enmore Theatre reopened in 1985. It regained its original name.
In 1991, Showcall Pty ltd began running The Enmore Theatre. They spent over $2 million on redesign. This created additional space. Newtown developed into an arts hub. The Enmore Theatre’s popularity grew with it.
The Enmore Theatre can hold 1700 seated or 2500 standing. Many famous acts have graced its stage. Bob Dylan played here. So did The Rolling Stones and Coldplay.
The Enmore Theatre hosted Miss Globe pageants. This happened during the 1950s and 1960s. More recently Genesis Owusu played here. The dance floor collapsed during his show in 2022. Luckily no one was injured.
The Enmore Theatre is more than a venue. It is part of the community. In 2015, locals met here. They discussed WestConnex development plans. The community opposes these plans. The Enmore Theatre also supports local acts.
Steve Balbi calls The Enmore Theatre prestigious. He compares it to the Sydney Cricket Ground. He says it’s beautiful and about music. It’s about performance.
The Enmore Theatre stands near Newtown Station. It is surrounded by cafes and bars. Inside you’ll find bars and a cloakroom.
The Enmore Theatre’s architecture is unique. It blends Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Art Deco styles. The building has a raised parapet. It features an Art Deco motif. The entrance has pressed metal lining. The doors are timber with glass and brass.
So, next time you pass The Enmore Theatre remember its story. It is a story of silent films and rock concerts. It is a story of community and kings.