Stepping into the doors of the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne is like stepping back in time to the grand old days of cinema. Built in 1935, this well-known art deco building has recently been named one of the Top 50 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World.
Time Out has listed Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace as 24th on their list of the world’s most gorgeous theatres, singling out the stunning structure as the “grandest cinema” in Sydney. One of its most appealing features is a genuine Wurlitzer pipe organ that emerges from the orchestra pit during weekend evening screenings.
Designed by George Kenworthy, one of Sydney’s top 20th-century architects, the Orpheum took nine months to construct and swiftly became one of the region’s best art deco buildings. It started off as a two-level 135-seater cinema for film and musical buffs and eventually became a premier events place until the 1940s. At the back of the cinema were several dressing rooms for live presentations and its very own fly-tower for flying scenes during ballets or theater productions.
The Orpheum’s popularity, however, dipped during the mid-century as the building aged and was closed for some time. In the 1970s, a commercial developer bought the property but and turned it into a shopping arcade with a gym, despite protests from the public.
In 1986, Mike Walsh (OBE), a well-known TV personality and businessman, took ownership of The Orpheum under the Hayden Group of Companies. He worked with historians and designers to restore the building to its former glory.
The restoration was done in several stages to expand the main cinema (Orpheum) to accommodate 755 seats. Also, 180 seats were added to the Lounge Cinema. The building’s original and ornate art deco details were restored whilst mood lighting and elaborate carpet designs were added. The ceiling was also modified to complement the artistic design. The cinema reopened a year after construction started.
Today, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace is a six-screen complex with the latest equipment and technology. However, its architecture will always be a wonderful reminder of The Golden Age, a time when going to the cinema was a glamorous event.
