Save the Regent

According to a Tweet and Facebook update from Brisbane movie guru Des Partridge, the Regent will close on June 15 after farewell program of shorts and specials on Sunday, June 6, starting at 5pm. Remember folks, you can still voice your protest by contacting the Premier, the mayor and others - addresses are on here. Other theatres around Australia and the world have been restored to their original glory, but Brisbane likes to demolish its cultural icons (think Festival Hall and Cloudland, Her Majesty's , the Metro, the Paris and all the others). And, remember, despite its unsympathetic makeover in the 1980s, it's still Brisbane's only original Hollywood-style picture palace. Under the developer's proposal, everything beyond the grand staircase will go - including the Showcase cinema and the ornate bar area.

Radio 4KQ's John Knox recently spoke on air about the character of inner Brisbane. Click here to listen.

A court case is imminent in the new year. If you would like to help save the unprotected Showcase Cinema, Elizabeth Street facade and vestibule (bar) area from destruction, please contact us via this email link.

From the public notices in today's Courier-Mail. Obviously, the decision not to heritage-list the Showcase cinema and bar area is disappointing. However, the STR group hopes for a good outcome. As always, your support is appreciated.