After 86 years as a local cinema, the historic Collaroy Theatre has added live performance to its cinematic offering – signalling a new chapter for Northern Beaches arts and breathing life back into a much-loved community space.
Originally opened on April 8, 1938, the theatre has become a nostalgic landmark. In recent years it has continued operating under local personality, Roy Mustaca, but audience numbers had thinned, and the future of the cinema model remains uncertain. The addition of live performance now marks the first major reinvention of the venue in decades.
The redevelopment is being led by Northern Beaches Entertainment director, Christine McCormack, who said the move wasn’t about abandoning film so much as expanding what the space can offer.
“We need to save the theatre,” McCormack said. “I want to bring new flavour, I want to bring new theatre, I want to bring music. But the other side of it is we’re bringing the young kids in.”
While youth engagement is part of her vision, McCormack stressed the new Collaroy Theatre is intended to serve locals of all ages.
“We’re starting off with professional theatre, music, etc. We want young people to come and tell us what bands they want to see… and there’s an element of bringing in local bands and giving them somewhere to play,” she said.
She added the long-term plan is for the space to grow with community input.
“We want to get the community involved – schools, the local acting theatre – it needs to build.”
Opening night embraced the venue’s new identity with a playful airline-themed tribute to Frank Sinatra performed by Lionel Robinson and the Beachside Big Band. Dressed as pilots, co-pilots, and flight attendants, the musicians delivered safety-briefing gags, emergency-exit jokes, and jazz-standard charm that had the audience laughing throughout.
Opening for Robinson and the Beachside Band were 2024 Northern Beaches Composure Competition winners, Astrovan, who brought an energetic indie set to the newly reconfigured room.
“We always drive past it and we never come in,” the band admitted. “It’s definitely a venue you can stand at, and the seating element will bring in a mixed crowd.”
Beyond the first wave of shows, McCormack hopes to soon host school performances, local theatre groups, community markets, and eventually larger-scale professional theatre pieces.
Check out the line up starting this weekend.
This is an amplifying young voices project, Supported by the NSW Government Premier’s Department.
