THE REGENT Theatre in Murwillumbah is changing hands with new owner and manager, Allira Cornell, taking over from much-loved locals Ken and Mia, as they look towards a well-earned retirement.
The Regent reopened for patrons on Friday, July 31, with passionate film buff, photographer and theatre lover Allira steering the business towards a bright future.
While many locals will be sad to hear Ken and Mia are moving on, they will also be pleased to hear Allira has great plans to add to the already iconic venue.
Growing up on film sets for blockbusters Crocodile Dundee 1 and 2 ignited a lifelong love of film making in Allira, who is also a keen photographer and artist.
The Northern Rivers region was her childhood backdrop and she returned home to give her three kids the same scenes for their memories.
Allira is well connected in the entertainment industry, saying her passion for music and theatre mean she’s hoping for more live events in the near future, once COVID-19 restrictions ease.
“I love film and theatre, live music, cabaret and comedy, and hope to expand on what’s already offered and continue the great legacy that The Regent already has,” she said.
Ken and Mia moved to Tweed in 2010 and had always had an eye for The Regent.
“We came here with the intention of retiring and enjoying the magnificent lifestyle this region offers,” both Ken and Mia explained.
“We were regular patrons of The Regent and when we heard that the business owners wanted to move on, we put up our hands.
“We had intended to operate the cinema for five years before returning to retirement, but that quickly expanded to what has now become eight years.
“It has been a wonderful experience, but we are now really looking forward to properly retiring.”
Allira has every intention to continue with the screening of the wide range of films The Regent has brought to Murwillumbah including Hollywood blockbusters and the arthouse films that local audiences enjoy.
“We have had excellent connections within the film industry through Mia’s previous involvement in that industry, but we have not had the same connection to the live entertainment industry, and so we have not been able to maximise the use of the stage we installed soon after arriving,” Ken and Mia said.
“We are excited at the prospect of passing the business over to Allira and seeing the stage put to much wider use.”
The Regent is now open with all the necessary COVID-19 precautions in place.