An Art Deco icon: the Liberty Theatre, Yass
Designed by architects Crick & Furse c.1939
At its gala opening on 14 December 1939, people gathered from miles around. They marvelled at the Liberty Theatre’s dazzling ‘ocean liner’ ambience. It was the work of Guy Crick and Bruce Furse, two leading theatre architects.
For many years, the Liberty served as an an entertainment hub for Yass and its surrounding communities. However, patronage gradually declined, and the cinema finally closed in 1974. Since then, the building has been used for an interior design business, an art gallery, real estate office and craft shop.
Today, the ocean liner is ready to be re-launched. Cinema heritage consultant Paul Brennan says the possibilities are endless: whether it serves as a movie palace, performing arts centre or multi-function entertainment venue.
The Liberty is also conveniently located, being a mere 40 minutes’ drive from Canberra. Federal MP Kirsty McBain recently toured the building, and she’s enthusiastic about its potential.
In his book Picture Palace Architecture, architect Ross Thorne describes it as “an outstanding Art Deco building…”.
An application has recently been made for State heritage listing, and the building is currently for sale.
To find out more, contact Paul Brennan by email. This is, as he puts it, “an entertainment venue for half the price of an apartment in Sydney.”
You can get a glimpse of its glamorous future at this link.