The Regal Theatre Celebrates 100 Years
The Regal Theatre in Kensington Park is one of South Australia’s most treasured heritage cinemas and has been a cornerstone of Burnside life for a century.
Currently South Australia’s oldest continuously running cinema, the Regal was originally opened in 1925 as the Princess Theatre, it has delighted generations with its timeless charm, captivating performances and rich architectural beauty. Renowned for its striking Art Deco style and intimate single-screen experience, the Regal stands as a rare example of civic-owned entertainment heritage.
Over the decades, it has hosted everything from classic films and local productions to live music, comedy and community events, remaining a vibrant hub where history and creativity meet.
Roberta Ellershaw, daughter of former Ozone Picture Theatre owner Donald Waterman, said the Regal Theatre is a vital part of the history of Burnside.
‘It is so good that the Burnside Council decided to restore and maintain the theatre,’ Roberta said. ‘I lament the fact that we have lost many beautiful theatres around the state, many that have won architectural awards; they were spectacular.
‘Australians so often don’t realise how important these are. It is important for my grandchildren to be able to come here and know where I came as a kid.’
Walking through the theatre for the first time in decades, Roberta recalled memories from her childhood and noted the statement pieces of the theatre that remained.
‘The staircases are beautiful; the fact that they’ve kept the railing is fantastic. I remember the ceiling vividly - my father taught me all about the importance of wood with acoustics.’
Well known for promoting community building and for giving tickets away, Roberta said her father Donald and the Waterman family built ties throughout the 1940’s both locally and internationally.
‘My father personally knew Walt Disney; we have photos of him with Walt,’ Roberta said.
Manager of the Regal Theatre, Steve Virgo, said the beauty of the Regal Theatre comes not just from the heritage art deco style, but also from the community passion and collective history within the building.
‘We have residents who have been coming here for over 50 years. Others, like Roberta, who haven’t been here in decades and use it as a moment to reminisce. It is a special place for a lot of people,’ Steve said.
A Timeline of the Iconic Regal Theatre
1925 • Opened 24 November 1925 as the Princess Theatre, designed by Adelaide theatre architect Christopher A. Smith. Owned by National Theatres.
1928 • National Theatres entered liquidation. All theatres were taken over by Ozone Amusements Ltd. Name changed from Princess Theatre to Marryatville Ozone.
1929 • The theatre was adapted for ‘talkies’.
1941 • Purchased by the Waterman family and extensively remodeled in an Art Deco style by architect F. Kenneth Milne.
1951 • Theatre purchased by Hoyts Group and re-named the Hoyts Ozone, Marryatville.
1955 • Original screen removed and replaced with a CinemaScope (an anamorphic lens for widescreen movies) screen.
1964 • Ozone was to be sold to Amoco Petrol Company for redevelopment as a petrol station. Led by Mayor George Bolton, Burnside Council purchased the theatre and leased it back to Hoyts.
1971 • Management of the theatre was transferred to Wallis Cinema and renamed Chelsea Theatre.
1983 • Cinema added to the State Heritage Register.
1984 • Burnside Council secured a grant under the Community Employment Programme to renovate the cinema. Seats reduced from 1145 to 586. New floor, screen, carpet and acoustic equipment was added.
2009 • Burnside Council explored the possibility of selling the theatre, but an extensive ‘Save the Chelsea’ community campaign, which wanted the Theatre to remain under public ownership, caused the Council to abandon the sale.
2011 • City of Burnside implemented a Conservation Management Plan for the Regal Theatre and decided to lease (not sell) the Theatre to a private operator.
2012 • Republic Theatres was awarded the lease, and the theatre was renamed the Regal Theatre.
2017 • City of Burnside took over management of the Regal Theatre.
2020 • The Conservation Management Plan for the Regal Theatre was updated and has been a guide for the recent redevelopments and conservation.
2022 • The Regal Theatre Redevelopment Masterplan is formally endorsed by Burnside Council.
2025 • 100th Anniversary of the Theatre’s operation. The Regal Theatre remains the oldest continuously running purpose-built cinema in Adelaide, and the only cinema in the city still outfitted for the screening of silent films.
Upcoming • Council is seeking $5m in State Government funding for the redevelopment of the iconic Regal Theatre and surrounding precinct to match the $2.43m already committed by the Federal Government. The redevelopment will ensure the future of the Regal as the foremost performing arts theatre and cinema in the eastern suburbs.
Roberta Ellershaw and Steve Virgo inside the Regal
Ozone Theatre
Chelsea Theatre
