Wondergraph cinema in Adelaide's Hindley Street opens in 1913 with 1,800 seats in 'prettiest' main hall

The Wondergraph Theatre had the “prettiest chamber of its kind in the commonwealth”. Inset: The Wondergraph's distinctive two domes can been seen in the image of Hindley Street, Adelaide city, in about 1920.
Images courtesy State Library of South Australia

The Wondergraph Theatre was built at 27 Hindley Street, Adelaide city, by C. H. Martin to the design of architects Garlick & Jackman in 1912-1913 for £60,000. Its two distinctive domes were topped with high swan-necked lights each side of an ornate “temple of dreams” arched façade.

Seating 1,800, the Wondergraph's main hall was proclaimed the “prettiest chamber of its kind in the commonwealth” at its opening in September 1913. It had possibly Adelaide's third theatre organ but it was removed to the Glenelg (Seaview) Theatre in 1917.

The Wondergraph design also provided for an arched sound board between the stage and an orchestra space of up 60 players. William Cade was the conductor.

Along with the Regent it was the first cinema in Adelaide to screen talkies. The Wondergraph theatre was taken over by Union Theatres in 1929 and renamed the Civic in 1932. While some of its elaborate exterior décor was removed, it was still regarded as a premier cinema. In 1956, it was again remodelled and renamed the State Theatre, although not reflecting the luxury of State theatres in Melbourne and Sydney. CinemaScope and air conditioning were also added.

After the building ceased to be a cinema in 1977, it has had saveral uses. From 2002, it has become a bar, nightclub and cabaret club, known as The Weimer Room. In 2019, after renovations, it reopened as an entertainment centre called  Downtown. The former front stalls were used as an entertainment centre, the foyer was a snack bar/drinks bar and restaurant and the former projection booth a rooftop bar