In the lead-up to its 85th birthday in July 2022, Ritz Cinemas is undergoing renovations and upgrades. The plans retain all the cinema’s spectacular historical elements and gorgeous Art Deco details, while adding some exciting new features.
An information session about the renovation plans will be held on Sunday 1 August at 11am followed by a rare screening of A Star is Born (1937) starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, which was released in theatres the same year that the Randwick Ritz opened its doors for the first time.
Since 1937, Ritz Cinemas has provided 84 uninterrupted years of magical moviegoing in the heart of Randwick. And there are no plans of slowing down – the upcoming renovations will enable Ritz to continue to be at the forefront of cinema culture and experience for the next 85 years to come and beyond.
Ritz has long been a beloved hub for the local community and a cherished Randwick icon. The upcoming renovation plans lovingly preserve the charm and character of Ritz, while giving the cinema a much-needed glow-up for its 85th birthday, bringing its facilities up to a world-class standard. The cinema’s new design aesthetic will be inspired by 1930s surrealism, bringing fresh colour, pattern and surprise to its interior spaces.
The resplendent cinema 1 is retaining all its historic glory, while also having its stage expanded and other improvements made for live performance capabilities, filling a gap in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for significant live venues for music and comedy.
Seating in all the cinemas is being upgraded to luxury armchairs, and two completely new theatres are being added, allowing for more sessions in Ritz’s already expansive and eclectic programming that includes all the best new arthouse and blockbuster releases from Australia and around the world, as well as carefully curated retrospective programs and film festival fare.
Ritz also continues to be a home of celluloid film projection with its popular 35mm and 70mm screenings showing regularly into the future.
Both the ground floor and upstairs foyer spaces are being renovated to provide warm and welcoming areas for lounging and experiencing the dynamic energy of the passing parade of cinephiles. And with this, the food and drink menus at the Ritz Bar are evolving to include more of the best local wines and beers including 10 dedicated craft beer taps.
Co-owner of Ritz Cinemas, Eddie Tamir, is providing a presentation at the information session on Sunday 1 August covering Ritz’s new general design concept, the restoration and conservation of original heritage features, the upgrades, accessibility and more, and will take questions from those attending.
Tickets to the information session are $10 and include both the information session and the screening of A Star is Born (1937) afterwards.
Everyone is welcome at this session and tickets are available here.
RITZ CINEMAS RENOVATION INFORMATION SESSION +
SCREENING OF A STAR IS BORN (1937)
DATE: Sunday 1 August
TIME: 11am (information session), 11.40am (film commences).
ADDRESS: 45 St Pauls Street, Randwick, NSW 2031
PRICE: $10.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO: https://www.ritzcinemas.com.au/events/a-star-is-born-1937-and-ritz-renovation-info-session
