ABOUT
The James Theatre is the oldest purpose-built cinema still operating in Australia, with films first being screened on site in 1912.
Today the multi-purpose community hub hosts films, live performances, dance and talks and can also be hired for private functions, weddings, educational purposes and other events.
The James is owned by Dungog Shire Council and is managed by the James Theatre Management Committee.
FRIENDS
The Friends of the James Theatre is a not-for-profit incorporated association. We raise funds for the upkeep of the Theatre and promote its ongoing use as a much-loved community heritage asset.
The Friends are the lifeblood of The James. Our volunteers run all theatre operations from film programming to kiosk sales, movie projection to ticket collection - we even make the popcorn. If you love The James and and want to help support our efforts, please become a Volunteer, Member or financial supporter.
DUNGOG ICON
Open air films were first shown on the Theatre site in December 1912. In 1914 the original owner, Mr James Stuart, commenced construction of the Theatre roof and by 1918 the original wooden building had been completed.
In 1930 Mr James, as he was known, completed an extensive upgrade of his Theatre, adding the foyer, with a new projection box above, and Spanish Mission facade to the front of the building. At the same time a large stage with dressing rooms and a large supper room and kitchen underneath were added to the rear of the building.
The James Theatre, as it came to be known, was the social hub of Dungog, not only for its film screenings, but its balls and dances, catered for by the Wattle Club ladies. The original kitchen, still in the building today, shows just what a challenge it would have been for those hard working ladies, who served supper in sittings to accommodate the large numbers of patrons.
The Theatre was passed from Mr James to Mr James Junior and then to Mr Bill (the third Mr James having not returned from World War 2). The Theatre fell on hard times and fell into disrepair until it was purchased by the Dungog Shire Council in 1979 to provide a large function centre for the community.
Cinema screenings were continued during the 1980s and '90s and until 2007 by dedicated local Ken Reeve despite the increasing challenges posed by television, videos, DVDs and, finally, internet streaming. Ken Reeve was followed for a few years by the Hopson family who faced the added challenge of the rapid transition from 35mm to digital films.
The James is now run by local volunteers who proudly keep the old gal running for a broad range of films, performance, talks, dance and private function bookings.
