Overview
Releasing its latest film schedule last night, St Kilda's legendary Astor Theatre has sadly and quietly announced its impending closure. "The Astor Theatre regretfully announces that this is our second last calendar," a note at the top of the schedule reads. "Come and celebrate the best of the Astor Theatre 1982-2015."
This monumental loss to Melbourne's film scene comes as a result of the end of their tenancy agreement with the building's landlord. Though the theatre has occupied the space since 1982, operators were unable to reach viable terms for a new lease and all cinema operations will cease as of early 2015. "We do not know what the landlord has planned for the future of the building, only that we are not included in those plans," read the back of the film calendar.
This isn't the first time the legendary venue has weathered trouble either. In 2012, then owners St Michael's Grammar School faced enormous community backlash for considering the venue's closure. A petition spearheaded by dedicated community group, Friends of the Astor asked them to relinquish the site and garnered the support of 13,000 signatories. But troubles this year seemed too much to overcome. Feuds over the lease have been reported since April and, when speaking to The Herald Sun, current owner Ralph Taranto openly derided theatre operator George Florence. "We're gonna kick him out. He thinks he owns the place," he said.
This morning the iconic venue posted this message on Twitter and the news has trended all over Melbourne.
It is beyond difficult to deliver news that we will close our doors in 2015. We hope you will help us celebrate what the Astor is until then
— Astor Theatre (@astor_theatre) August 23, 2014
Of course, reaction has been understandably gloomy:
When the @astor_theatre closes it's doors in 2015, cinema in Melbourne will lose it's heart. — Luke Preston (@LukePrestonInk) August 23, 2014
Gutted by @astor_theatre news. First time there, saw THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY. Blew my 13 year old mind. Who else remembers their first? — Tom Clift (@tom_clift) August 22, 2014
@LordMayorMelb @Vic_Premier The last great picture house in Melbourne @astor_theatre is set to close it's doors. Can nothing be done?
— James Matthews (@pomandaussie) August 23, 2014
Heartbreaking. MT @astor_theatre: It is beyond difficult to deliver news that we will close our doors in 2015.
— Marieke Hardy (@mariekehardy) August 23, 2014
The Astor is one of Melbourne's few remaining independent theatres and the very last single-screen cinema in the city. Renowned for its dress-up screenings and penchant for classic film, it's undeniably both an Australian cultural institution and the best possible place to see a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It has graced the glossy digital pages of Concrete Playground a lot over the last few years and will be missed dearly.
Make sure you catch a film before they call it quits. Our tip: keep it classic. Kick back and get weirdly sentimental over a screening of Pulp Fiction, The Blues Brothers or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. We know Jennifer Lawrence is great and all, but the new Hunger Games is hardly the best way to farewell this much-loved regal screen.