User:ConstanceSeah/sandbox/Roxy Theatre

= Roxy Theatre = Roxy Theatre was a landmark institution opened in 1931 by Mr Low Peng Soy. It has been a landmark in Katong[1][2], Singapore for about 50 years and used to be a best-loved hangout place for school children since there lacked other entertainment alternatives in its area[3]. Furthermore, Roxy Theatre was children-friendly with lower-priced tickets and complementary Waltz Disney chewing gum[4]. Additionally, Roxy Theatre catered to the significant Peranakan and Eurasian presence in Joo Chiat[5].

Roxy theatre was taken over by the Shaw brothers in the 1970s[6] and ceased operations in 1978 to make way for urban re-developments[7]. In its place now stands Roxy Square and Katong Plaza, one of the only remaining documentation that Roxy Theatre once existed[8]. Still, the legacy of Joo Chiat still lingers with shophouses and bungalows in the Roxy area that continue to reflect the architectural styles of the 20th century.

Visual-historical reconstruction
Building(s) chosen: Roxy Theatre

Date of picture: 1960s

Source: An old photograph

Architecture and streetscape
Roxy theatre, designed by Messrs. Lim and Seah architects, and costing $100,000 to build, stood along 50 East Coast Road, Singapore[10]. Roxy Theatre’s design was tantamount to the new public and private buildings in that locality[11], with distinctive Peranakan and even Eurasian inspired architecture styles as a consequence of a growth in Straits Chinese culture in Joo Chiat[12]. Furthermore, the demarcation of Singapore into ethnic zones under the Raffles Plan 1823[13] accorded distinctive ambience to each part of the new town, where in this case explains the Peranakan and Eurasian architecture that Roxy Theatre possess.

There are noticeable architectural features of the theatre and the villas that belonged to Peranakan and Eurasians that coincide. For example, like all three villas, the theatre has articulated entrances as well as the Eurasian-type compound house concept. Interestingly, Roxy Theatre’s design is akin to that of Tanjong Pagar Train Station as well.

Interiorly, the theatre was in dark and light shades of green and sat 1,200 people where overhead the circle opened on to a wide balcony where intermissions could be pleasantly spent[15]. Ventilation relied on ceiling fans and black outs were common; whenever there was a black out, the doors of the theatre would be thrown open to let fresh air, from the sea breeze of East Coast Beach, into the enclosed, stuffy cinema[16][17]. Also, there was a concrete carpark in front of the theatre which allowed space for an open-air tea-garden[18][19].

Activities
The stretch of road from Katong Shopping Centre on East Coast Road to Still Road is commonly referred to as the 'Roxy area[20]', explaining the name ‘Roxy Theatre’.

Roxy Theatre was especially popular amongst Katong residents[22] where it screened American movies and local Malay productions as well as ‘Favorites’ like Tarzan, King Kong, and Superman[23]; some so popular that it created a black market for the tickets after they have been officially sold out at the ticket counter14. The weekend morning shows were equally popular with people rushing to tie handkerchiefs on the wooden chairs’ armrests to reserve seats after paying just 50 cents for a ticket[24].

Food
Food was one aspect that contributed to the nostalgia of Roxy Theatre. When speaking of Roxy Theatre, one would reminisce Katong’s rich culture and the wide array of unique cuisine and particularly, a spicy Straits Chinese noodle soup called Katong Laksa[25]. After movies, the crowd would dine at popular eateries nearby, like La Paloma and the Red House Bakery.  Alternatively, there were also stalls positioned along the theatre that sold satay, Meesiam, ice-water and more[26][27]. One hawker, Lo Ka Yet, would peddle a bicycle whilst making a nasally “eh” sound or would recite the dish which successfully attracted crowds[28]. Others would similarly produce distinctive sunds to draw attention to their stalls.

Recreation
After the show, many would conveniently stopover at the beach behind the theatre, which provided for an idyllic retreat for families and children[29].

In the 1950s, There was a even a movie-making studio named Cathay-Keris Film Production studio at 532-D East Coast Road started by Ho Ah Loke in collaboration with Loke Wan Tho. Despite its closure in 1970s, its legacy remains in many street names like Kalan Keris and Jalan Buloh Perindu[30] today.

 

The Beginnings of Roxy Theatre
In the 1820s, besides plantations and a number of villages, Joo Chiat was lined with shop houses and seaside villas built by the rich as exemplified by Mandalay Villa (now demolished) belonging to the family of prominent businessman Lee Choon Guan[33]. However, demand for residential land came in the early 20th century and started breaking up plantations. This resulted in the establishment of Catholic churches and schools, in turn causing an influx of Eurasians and Peranakans in that area. The rapid expansion of populations alongside the Chinese, Malay and Indian communities[34] resulted in more residential places and entertainment facilities being built, creating a multicultural heritage of the Katong/Joo Chiat community up until today[35].

From 1942 to 1945, the Japanese Occupation took place and disrupted the growth of Joo Chiat, but development resumed in the 1950s with an increasingly mixed landscape of shophouses, cinemas, eateries, shops, schools and places of worship along East Coast Road[36] including Roxy Theatre, was also erected to cater to the growing wealthy population. Katong became a lively shopping and entertainment district in no time with its reputation enhanced by Roxy Theatre[37].

At the same time, in the late 1940s and 1950s, rich families and individuals like Chew Joo Chiat[38], a philanthropist and plantation owner in Joo Chiat area[39], would organize indoor screenings of rented films from the Shaw Brothers where children from the neighbouring kampongs would all gather to enjoy the movie. Alongside the increasing availability of film technology, this introduced and contributed to the growing popularity of movies. Gradually, cinemas became more common, eventually leading to the rising popularity of Roxy Theatre.

State of changes to Roxy Theatre
17 Feb 1931: Roxy Theatre opened its doors to public by Mr Low Peng Soy[40].

1957: It was closed for renovations and reopened in 1957, complete with air-conditioning[41].

1970s: The theatre was taken over by the famous cinema shakers, the Shaw brothers, in the early 1970s. There was no changes made to the name and types of films screened when the Shaw brothers took over[42].

1977: The Shaw brothers sold the land on which the cinema stood.

1978: Price hike for tickets for English movies to $3[43]. It was also reported that Roxy Theatre “used to be a brightly lit building bustling with activity in the evening, but now it is all quiet and somewhat deserted.”[44]

1 August 1978: Theatre ceased operations[45].

1984: Next to Palace Cinema by Soonann Realty, came Roxy Square and former Roxy Century Park Hotel, a four-star hotel, a $77 million dollar hotel-cum-shopping complex, where Roxy Theatre was once located[46].

Today, 2017: Katong Plaza and Roxy Square now stands in its place. The hotel beside Roxy Square was renamed Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, and still exists today. Death of Roxy Theatre

In 1978, there were “too many cinemas too close to each other... Traffic jams were frequent”[47], due to the rapidly growing population and popularity of the Roxy Area. These made Roxy Theatre become excessive and irrelevant. Furthermore, there were plans on urban re-development under the Koeningsberger Plan (1963) where it has taken a toll in Katong with many buildings being demolished to make way for condominiums or offices.

Relocation and Redevelopment of activities, and What is Preserved
The tearing down of Roxy Theatre drew the crowd to the many other available cinemas in Singapore that cater to just as diverse a population as before. Just beside it was Palace Theatre screening English films, Queens Theatres screening Hindustani movies and further down at the Geylang Serai Market, was Singapore Theatre, which screened the Malay movies. Not to forget, Hollywood theatre in Tanjong Katong was a hit for Chinese films[48]. The plethora of cinemas provided equally good standards and entertainment for the population back then.

Today, the shopping complex, Roxy Square, stands on what used to be Roxy Theatre[49], acting as the only proof of the once existing theatre. Additionally, it is now home to two hotels - Grand Mercure Roxy and Village Hotel Katong - as well as the Parkway Parade and I12 Katong mall and Katong Plaza[50].

Due to urban redevelopment plans, many landmarks were demolished to make way for offices and condominiums. Landmarks include the Palace Theatre, Tay Buan Guan shopping centre as well as the Sea View Hotel[51].

Building landmarks that still stands until today are Katong Shopping Centre, Odeon Katong Shopping Complex, Eastgate building, Katong Plaza, Katong Mall, Century Roxy Park Hotel, and the Church of the Holy Family. Some of these buildings have been extensively renovated or reconstructed at the same location in recent years[52].

Additionally, Katong Bakery & Confectionery, the famous "Red House" just opposite Roxy Theatre was closed in 2003 when old clientele no longer frequented the place[53]. Fortunately, as part of the conservation plan under the Conservation Unit of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Red House will not be torn down but instead, preserved[54]. It has been given a fresh coat of paint and, as an extension, housing apartments has been constructed behind the Red House[55].

Not forgetting, the Roxy Laksa was one of the most vivid memories when one spoke of Roxy Theatre. Mr Lim Kok Seng sold Laksa there in 1952 and went on to spend the next  26 years selling Laksa with his son Mr Lim Eng Hock, till the cinema was finally closed in 1978. They then shifted to the East Coast Lagoon Food Centre, which opened in 1979, and thereafter, third generation Mike Lim continued the business at Timbre+[56].

Intangible remains
Roxy Theatre was “an icon of Katong”. According to S.R. Nathan, Joo Chiat has undergone radical changes and lost its “character, composition and ambience”. [57] Familiar Katong landmarks continue to be under threat where there are minimal efforts put in place to preserve Joo Chiat and Katong area and is said to have ‘lost a fair bit of its old-world charm over the years’[58].

Late 20th century, the distinct and iconic feature of Roxy Area, the sea and all of the memories it has provided to the residents has been swallowed away by land reclamation to make way for Marine Parade[59]. What is left is the traditional Peranakan shophouses dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, which lined the narrow streets of Joo Chiat, allowing Joo Chiat’s true flavor to linger around, owing to the designation of Joo Chiat as a conservation area in July 1993[60]. The memories of Roxy Theatre can only be reminisced and vaguely be reminded of by the unique and eclectic straits Chinese shophouses and eateries specializing in Peranakan delicacies.