Historical information

These theatre chairs had been used in the Mozart Hall in Warrnambool for many years but are now no longer required. They were about to be offered for anyone to take but just by chance Flagstaff Hill’s Manager heard about them from a friend in Melbourne. Our Manager thought it important to keep the chairs in Warrnambool as they were significant to our local history and could be incorporated in our Museum. He made arrangements to collect and install them in Flagstaff Hill’s Theatrette.

Originally these theatre chairs belonged to Warrnambool Town Hall. When The Warrnambool Baths (or Swimming Pool) in Gillies Street closed, due to the Health Act of 1958, the changing rooms were taken over by the Mozart Group. The building was modified and set up for musical concerts with the name Mozart Hall.

The seats were re-covered by Miss Eva Gaspar, Director of the Warrnambool Music Society, with assistance from group members. The material was order by W.C. James (Treasurer) in 1964, at a cost of 26 pound and 10 shillings (£26-10), and supplied by Jacka-Wortley Fabrics Pty Ltd, Upholstery and Furnishing Supplies, 157-163 Pelham Street, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria. The supplier’s telephone was “JACKAFAB” (5222 2322). The fabric was delivered to J. Hulin of 116 Belmore Rd, Warrnambool.

The manufacturer of the chairs, Riddell & Preece Pty Ltd of Melbourne, also supplied theatre chairs for other public buildings including (1) the Ozone Theatre in Enfield, South Australia, in 1929, (2) the Gallery of the Horsham Town Hall in Victoria (at 26/6 each, that is 26 shillings and sixpence, approximate conversion in 2014 to $100.00au), (3) in 1927 in the Gallery of the Kyenton Mechanics’ Institute (4) in 1926, Horsham Theatre.

(In May 2018 a transfer of three banks of chairs was made from Flagstaff Hill to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne.)

Significance

The chairs are of local historical and social significance.

Physical description

Theatre chairs. The sixteen sets (groups or banks) of complete chairs, four seats per chair, give a total of 64 seats. Each chair has timber framed seats, with arm rests, upholstered in red vinyl. The seats are set into decorative gilt iron frames which incorporate five legs, all set into two timber floor rails. The seats are hinged to fold upwards and rest against the backrests.

Inscriptions & markings

On ironwork "PTY. LTD"