“We spend more time at cinemas, theaters, art galleries and theme parks than we do at churches, and they have become our new cathedrals” – Michael Huffington
The University of Queensland Union’s Schonell Theatre is currently under review to determine its heritage value and it was due to be demolished by the previous University administration under Professor Hoy. The Queensland Heritage Council then rejected its heritage value. However the University administration under a new Vice Chancellor has had a change of heart and is looking at the theatre for ‘adaptive re-use’.
Former manager, Desley Agnoletto, has described how she liked the design of the cinema, particularly the arches. Her husband, Pietro, would mount a ladder and spend hours cleaning the vanes on the circular sculptures hanging on the bricks walls (shown). Ms Agnoletto, describing what a joy it was to be employed at the complex from 1975 till 2006, said she couldn’t believe her luck to be employed to watch some of the great films shown there.
A former theatre manager and organiser of 4ZZZ Joint Efforts, John Stanwell, describes how the Schonell (including the Cement Box) Theatre was designed to replace the Avalon Theatre on Schonell Drive. It became a place for alternative and mainstream shows including the Architect Revues and was a staging ground for shows that would later be put on in Brisbane’s mainstream theatres and sometimes taken on tour.
The Avalon had provided actors like Brian Nassen, Jack Thompson and Liz Nosworthy (?) with early stage experience. Both the Avalon and the Schonell provided a platform for ensemble theatre with overseas director Albert Hunt, a devotee of Bertolt Brecht, training performers and playwrights like Erroll O’Neill and other members of the Popular Theatre Troupe.
According to John Stanwell, this agitprop ensemble ‘got their breakthrough‘ during the Brisbane Warana Festival in the mid 1970s. The troupe went on to perform in workplaces, schools and theatres throughout the state. They were part of the radical movement opposed to the repressive state government led by Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Musician Lindy Morrison said that PTT ‘often performed in the Forum Area’ of the University Student Union complex.
The Schonell was originally designed as a traditional proscenium arch complete with an orchestra pit and a lift to bring the musicians up on stage. This was later removed from the Schonell. I am told the old Regent Theatre in Brisbane city had an orchestra pit with a lift. It later became what former Manager Jim Beatson described as Brisbane’s most iconic cinema boasting 230 first release films and up to 17 programs each week. In its heyday, the Schonell was a money spinner for the UQ Student Union making $2,500 profit each week. This enabled Beatson to put on shows cheaply for students and staff at the University.
Fryer librarian, Simon Farley, quoted from his submission to Queensland Heritage Council as to why the Schonell should be renovated and preserved. The council rejected his and other submissions. Recently the University administration has had a change of heart and begun to think about how the Schonell and other parts of the complex can be renovated for ‘adaptive re-use‘.
The Schonell was used to stage ballet with musical accompaniment in the orchestra pit eg Clarissa Hill Ballet. Brian and Denise Cahill set up Queensland Musical Theatre and put on shows at the Schonell. West Side Story was put on in the Schonell as recently as 2013. By this time the director was Deian Ping. So the Schonell has had many uses over the past 50 years, putting a lie to the naysayers that it lacks heritage value.
We value our cathedrals so why not our theatres and cinemas?
Ian Curr
11 Feb 2022
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Schonell’s Best Films 1975 – 2000
Schonell Theatre’s most popular films were discussed and are listed below. This list was provided by Ron Wakenshaw (now deceased) and Desley Agnoletto.
| AGUIRE WRATH OF GOD | DECAMERON | TRAFFIC |
| GARDEN OF FITZI CONTINIS | TIS PITY SHE A WHORE | THE ENIGMA OF KASPER HAUSER |
| DISCRET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISE | DEATH IN VENICE | VIRGIN & GYPSY |
| FIRST RELEASES | 1975 | AMARCORD |
| DAY FOR NIGHT | SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE | 1976 |
| LOVE & DEATH | ROYAL FLASH | SEVEN BEAUTIES |
| CONVERSATION PIECE | BLACK MOON | F FOR FAKE |
| LE MARVELLIOUS VISIT | MADAME ROSA | LACOMBE LUCIEN |
| LES VIOLINS DU BAL | 1977 | TWILIGHTS LAST GLEAMING |
| THE RITZ | W.C. FIELDS & ME | ERASERHEAD |
| VALENTINO | 7% SOLUTION | SEDUCTION OF MIMI |
| SALON KITTY | 1978 | A WHOLE LIFETIME |
| (BROKE ALL AUSTRALIAN RECORDS) | FEDORA | EQUUS |
| 1900 | LOVE & ANARCHY | MR KLEIN |
| LA CAGE AUX FOLLES | 1979 | PADRE PADRONE |
| PARDON MON AFFAIRE | ALLEGRO NON TROPPO | LA LUNA |
| 1980 | MANHATTAN | STARDUST MEMORIES |
| SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS | DAYS OF HEAVEN | MOVIE MOVIE |
| MAGININE | TIN DRUM | NOSFERATU |
| DEAR INSPECTOR | BREAD & CHOCOLATE | GET OUT YOUR HANDERCHIEFS |
| 1981 | KAGEMUSHA | PIXOTE |
| MAO TO MOZART | BYE BYE BRAZIL | ATLANTIC CITY |
| ANNIE HALL*** | (Australian Premiere) | GREGORYS GIRL |
| MONTENEGRO | BRIMSTONE & TREACLE | MY DINNER WITH ANDRE |
| DEATHTRAP | FADE TO BLACK | PIRATES OF PENZANCE |
| LA TRAVIATA | 1982 | MANHATTAN |
| (Australian Premiere) | HEARTBEAT | COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME |
| BRITANNIA HOSPITAL | MEPHISTO | LUDWIG |
| PHANTON OF LIBERTE | LE MAGNIFIQUE | ARABIAN NIGHTS |
| SACCO & VANZETTI | KES | LILI MARLENE |
| VERONIKA VOSS | LE CAVALEUR | MONTENEGRO |
| AUTUMN SONATA | 1983 | SHOCK TREATMENT |
| FITZCARALDO | DANCE OF LIFE | DIVA |
| QUERELLE | 1984 | BROADWAY DANNY ROSE |
| MAN OF FLOWERS | UNDERCOVER | DRAUGHTSMANS CONTRACT |
|
CARMEN SUBWAY | FANNY & ALEXANDER | 1985 |
| BIRDY | PURPLE ROSE OF CIARO | EATING ROAUL |
|
SIMPLE MINDED MURDERER LEBAL | ANOTHER COUNTRY | MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE |
| DELICATESSEN | MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO | MY MOTHERS CASTLE |
| 1986 | MALCOLM | VIGIL |
| PRIVATE FUNCTION | THE CHAIN | EUREKA |
| 4TH MAN | COLONEL REDYL | RAN |
| LES FUGITIVIS | KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN | 1987 |
| BLUE VELVET | RADIO DAYS | RAISING ARUIZONA |
| TINE MEN | SOMETHING WILD | TRAVELLING NORTH |
| DOGS IN SPACE | VINCENT | LADY |
| JANE | NAME OF THE ROSE | MONA LISA |
| WITHNAIL & I | Z & 2 NOUGHTS | JEAN DE FLORETTE |
| MANON OF THE SPRING | CARRAVAGIO | LE GRAND CHEMIN |
| MY LIFE A S A DOG | BETTY BLUE | 1988 |
| CRY FREEDOM | MYSTIC PIZZA | TWO MOON JUNCTION |
| DOWN BY LAW | AS TIME GOES BY | HANDFUL OF DUST |
| WHITE MISCHIEF | SALOMES LAST DANCE | PRICK UP YOUR EARS |
| LAW OF DESIRE | CRAZY LOVE | 1989 |
| MYSTERY TRAIN | POWAQUATSSI | NAVIGATOR |
| DROWNING BY NUMBERS | HANUSSEN | ROSALIE GOES SHOPPING |
| TORCH SONG TRILOGY | MAURICE | PELLE THE CONQUEROR |
| PATHFINDER | 1990 | WILD AT HEART |
| ANGEL AT MY TABLE | STRUCK BY LIGHTNING | MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON |
| JESUS OF MONTREAL | REVOLVING DOORS | DRUGSTORE COWBOY |
| FRUIT MACHINE | APARTMENT ZERO | TIE ME UP TIE ME DOWN |
| CINEMA PARADISO | SALAAM BOMBAY | 1991 |
| TWO JAKES | AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD | UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH |
| TRUST | PROOF | ROSENKRANTZ & GUILDERSTEIN |
| 1992 | CITY OF JOY | BLACK ROBE |
| RUBY & RATA | EUROPA EUROPA | WHAT HAVE I DONE |
| HIGH HEELS | MY FATHERS GLORY | 1993 |
| JOHNNY SUEDE | SIMPLE MEN | LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE |
| LOVERS | WEDDING BANQUET | FOR A LOST SOLDIER |
| STOLEN CHILDREN | LEOLA | 1994 |
| MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY | WHATS EATING G GRAPE | SPIDER & ROSE |
| BELLE EQOQUE | QUEEN MARGOT | WINDOW TO PARIS |
| LOVE & HUMAN REMAINS | BABY OF MACON | 1995 |
| USUAL SUSPECTS | 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION | BULLETS OVER BROADWAY |
| BASKETBALL DIARIES | ED WOOD | AMATEUR |
| BREAD & ROSES | HEAVENLY CREATURES | YOUNG POISONERS HANDBOOK |
| FARENELLI | IL POSTINO | QUEEN MARGOT |
| MOST DESIRED MAN | STRAWBERRY & CHOCOLATE | SECRET OF ROAN INISH |
| 1996 | DEAD MAN | GRASS HARP |
| LIVING IN OBLIVION | SECRETS & LIES | PILLOW BOOK |
| 1997 | CHASING AMY | INTIMATE RELATIONS |
| DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS | LE APARTMENT | WILD REEDS |
| CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION | BASQUIT | DEATH ON LONG ISLAND |
| 1998 | TOTAL CLIPSE | WILDE |
| VELVET GOLDMINE | LIVE FLESH | HURRICANE STREETS |
| BUTCHER BOY | 1999 | PLUNKETT & MACLEANE |
| RUN LOLA RUN | GODS & MONSTERS | CENTRAL STATION |