Looking for what's on at the movies? Find out what films are showing at the official Saraton site

The Saraton Theatre is a fine intact example of a two-level cinema built in 1926 and internally remodelled in 1940. The Saraton Theatre is of state significance as a rare surviving example of a two-level cinema, which is still operating. The Saraton is still under the management of the Notaras family, who built the theatre in 1926. The Saraton has featured prominently in the social lives of the community, being the first theatre built in Grafton, and continues to entertain the community as the town's only cinema. The Saraton Theatre is a major streetscape element along Prince Street, forming the centre piece of a row of two storey shops in a modified Spanish styling.

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")

Description

The Saraton Theatre has been described by Ross Thorne et al as "one of the most decorative and architecturally handsome in NSW". (1996) The exterior of the Saraton Theatre is built in a modified Spanish styling. The theatre presents a unified street architecture that makes an important contribution to the streetscape. The street frontage consists of the theatre entrance, a shop on one side, and three shops on the other side, together forming a unified whole. The theatre auditorium is set back from the street. (Thorne et al 1983) The site occupies a frontage to Princes Street of 75 feet and has a depth of 160 feet. (Tod) The shops and theatre are of the same design, being two storey, with the upper-floor above the awning featuring flat arches and a stepped art-deco keystone design over the windows. There are two twelve pane windows above each shop, and three above the theatre. The entrance and upper storey of the theatre are rendered and painted to signify the different use of the building. The brickwork above the shops is orange-red faced. The auditorium features a central pediment under which is a hipped bio box projecting, and two horizontal entablatures with cornices below which are arches outlined. (Thorne et al 1983)

The interior was originally quite austere with little decoration and exposed roof trussess. The Daily Examiner in Grafton described the Saraton at its opening as follows:

"The main entrance to the building is through a spacious vestibule, at the far end of which are two wide doors giving access to the stalls. Seating accommodation has been provided for 720 persons. The main auditorium, however, is capable of seating 1,100 people, but the management have left vacant a space, which could be utilised for dancing, and in which it is possible to place an additional 300 seats. ... From the centre of the entrance vestibule, access is provided to concrete stairs, leading to an intermediate floor, or flyer, 53 ft x 12 ft, thence to the large gallery, in which are 429 comfortable seats." (Tod)

Following the fire in 1932, the interior was remodelled in 1940 in a moderne style. The auditorium had "a rectangular proscenium opening, crowned by stepped fluted panelling in gold, with three recessed panels flanking the proscenium on each side, decorated with modern mouldings. There were large wall friezes along the auditorium walls, featuring oval patterns. The foyers were also remodelled and fitted out with furnishings of the period." (Tod)

The Saraton Theatre is of state significance as a rare surviving example of a two- level cinema, which is still operating.

The Saraton Theatre is identified as a category 1 item in the NSW Heritage Office's Movie Theatre Register for NSW 1896-1996 and is included within the Royal Australian Institute of Architects' Register of Buildings of 20th Century Significance