CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

References to screenings at the Academy of Music as early 1896 (Ballarat Courier November 28 1896, p. 5). From the First World War on, the Theatre was increasingly used for cinema presentations. Yet to confirm when the venue name change occurred. A Bio Box was added in 1916, and the Theatre was wired for sound in 1930. In 1928, the Hoyts cinema chain took over control over the building through its local subsidiary, Ballarat Theatres P/L, which ran Her Majesty's in tandem with their Regent Theatre.

In 1936, Her Majesty's was leased and operated by Ballarat Amusements P/L, part of the Woodrow Distributing Company, presenting MGM and Paramount movies. Ballarat Amusements ran it until the early 1960's. Hoyts ceased screening circa 1962. Also used for live performance throughout this time.

In 1965, the Theatre was bought by the Royal South Street Society. The Society renamed the venue the Memorial Theatre and it was to operate as a community facility. The Theatre reopened as Her Majesty's on 1st November, 1990 operating as a live performance venue once again.

References
1939 'NEW THEATRE MANAGER.', The Argus, 18 April, p. 12, viewed 6 November, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12118650 (W. Sutherlandtook over from C B Searl)

Film Weekly, Film Weekly: motion picture directory, Film Weekly, Sydney. 1946/7-1971
'Our history' Her Majesty's Theatre viewed November 04 2011, http://www.hermaj.com/history
Shmith, M 1991, 'VSO to start opera festival at Ballarat', Age, February 9, p.5.
Brown, D, 'Commercial cinema in Ballarat: the growth of monopoly'- Bertand, I Cinema file: Ballarat (unpublished research)