Jo Mulligan from the Friends of the Liberty Theatre said her fellow volunteers were passionate about bringing the theatre back to life. Photo: Sally Hopman.
Back in 1939, the Liberty Theatre in the main street of Yass was the town’s social hub.
It was the place to meet, the place worthy of dressing up for and the place where the country town, like so many others, was treated to entertainment usually only found in the city.
Today, the Liberty Theatre is owned by a local family which has agreed to sell the building to the Friends of Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc – a not-for-profit group of Yass Valley locals who want to bring the Liberty back to her former glory.
The Friends evolved from the Yass Repertory Society, which used part of the building as an intimate theatre space for more than 20 years before it became no longer fit for purpose.
Friends volunteers are now working hard to reopen her still original doors as an entertainment and education hub, a place where locals can see some classic cinema in town again, where emerging and established actors can strut their stuff, where the artistic community can exhibit their work – giving it a new life as a multipurpose community arts venue.
They are also keen for it to become a centre for sound, film, video and production providing career experience to local young people.
Built in 1939 by Guy Crick and Bruce Furse, the architects of choice in the Australian theatre building scene, today the Liberty is listed by the National Trust as a heritage building of national significance. It was state-of-the-art for its day, complete with “seating for 700, incorporated heating and cooling systems and hearing aids”.
It closed in 1974 and was later used as retail space.
Although many of the original art deco style features remain, including wave murals on the wall which tie in with the building’s unique ocean liner style, much work is needed to bring the grand old lady back to life.
For Jo Mulligan, a member of the Friends of Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc, restoring the theatre and returning her to a focal point for the town is what it’s all about.
“I remember when we first drove out to Yass about 10 years ago when we were looking at property and saw the theatre,” she said. “I remember thinking at the time, how wonderful it would be if it was operating again.”
The Liberty Theatre in her prime. Restoration work is well underway to restore the old theatre to her former glory. Photo: Facebook.
Jo said with so many examples of art deco theatres knocked down or with their originality long gone, it was important for Yass to return the Liberty to the starring role she deserved.
“What we can’t do is go back to 1939,” she said. “There are so many different compliances these days than there were back then. But it is all about respecting her original features, be respectful of this wonderful old building.”
Members of the Friends volunteer their skills and time for the million and one jobs needed in this huge restoration process. They range from artists to public servants, farmers to business people, all of whom share a passion for the building – and its history.
The limited edition print by Peter Crisp from the Coronation gift he made for King Charles during his recent Canberra visit. Money raised from the sale will go to the Liberty Theatre restoration project. Photo: Peter Crisp.
They have been successful in securing private and government grants for various restoration projects, but it is estimated that about $5 million will be needed to secure the building for the community and make her fit for her new purpose.
The latest fundraising campaign has been launched by Liberty Friend and one of its greatest champions, acclaimed glass artist Peter Crisp. He has donated a limited edition print of the art glass plate he made as a Coronation gift for King Charles and Queen Camilla on their recent visit to Australia.
It will be unveiled at a special event this Saturday (7 December), at the Liberty Theatre from 7 pm.
Friends of the Liberty Theatre are always looking for new members and supporters. More information is available on its website.
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