Rivoli Theatre

This large hall and theatre was built by Mr Jack Harrington for Mr Joe Najar in 1922. A small projection box was reached by an outside stairway and films were shown by Mr O.E. B. Kunoth. In the heat of summer the pictures were shown out of doors.

Later Mr Kunoth built the dress circle, ante-rooms and imposing marble steps at the front of the theatre. This was the entertainment centre for the district.
Official balls, concerts, meetings, fetes, table-tennis, boxing matches and many other events have all taken place in the Rivoli.

Rivoli Theatre on Wilson Street as it appeared in the mid 1970s

When the new District Council Offices and Public Library were built in front of the theatre in 1979, many people were left with nostalgic memories of happy crowds ascending and descending the marble steps on social occasions.

A colour photograph of the Rivoli Theatre, taken before the addition of the Council Offices, begun in 1978. The two lamp posts in front of the steps were removed to the entrance of the Berri Bowling Club in 1979 and after the club was relocated to Glassey Park recreational grounds, the lights were installed in the riverfront gardens.

A crowd of people on the front steps of the Rivoli Theatre. Thought to be taken during South Australia’s 1936 Centenary celebrations when the entire town’s buildings were decorated to celebrate the occasion.

Rivoli Theatre with the front facade removed prior to the construction of the Council offices which were opened in June 1979