Since 1937, the legendary Lorne Theatre has been enchanting generation after generation of cinephiles down on the Great Ocean Road. And now, thanks to the Barton brothers – the brains behind Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Melbourne's Rooftop Cinema – the heritage-listed theatre has reopened for a pop-up season of screenings ahead of an extensive restoration and refurbishment.
“As a family, some of our fondest summer memories were formed within the walls of the Lorne Theatre,” revealed Chris Barton. “It has always been a special place for us and we’re deeply aware of the space this building holds in the hearts of generations of local and visiting movie lovers.
“This shared personal history with the space is why we jumped at this opportunity. It’s a huge legacy to take on, but it’s one that we’re very excited to uphold and build upon.”
Scheduled to be unveiled in late 2024, the refurbishment for the 550-seat cinema – done in tandem with Heritage Victoria – will include a new licensed bar with an interior design accentuating the theatre's Art Deco history through its seating, lighting, acoustics and menu offerings.
Commended for breathing new life into Australia’s modern movie-going experience, the Barton brothers fervently believe in the power of cinema to change lives and build communities. When it came to masterminding the Lorne Theatre, the brothers decided on a pop-up program to attract a new generation of film lovers, showcasing contemporary and classic films, special series and live performances.
Films showing across the summer pop-up season include the 4k restoration of Stop Making Sense, which spotlights the iconic 1983 concert by the art-rock group Talking Heads; Mutiny in Heaven, which follows the Birthday Party's meteoric rise, peak and subsequent demise; Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Tortoro; and Emerald Fennell's latest scandalous must-see flick Saltburn starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi.
And it wouldn't be a proper movie sesh without a choc top, and the ice cream legends over at Pidapipo have created an exclusive range of flavours only available at Lorne Theatre. You can chow down on chocolate gelato with chocolate fudge, dipped in milk chocolate; salted dulce de leche gelato, dipped in milk chocolate and honeycomb crunch; and peanut butter gelato with caramel swirl, dipped in milk chocolate and peanut crunch. You don't even need to catch a flick to enjoy these icy treats – there will also be a specially designed ice cream bike located out the front, serving up cones to the holiday crowds.
You can stay updated on Lorne Theatre screenings and book tickets at the website here.