The
Coronation theatre in Kluang has its roots as far back as
the 1930's when it was a talkie theatre.
After WW2, the Coronation had major renovation works done
in 1957, presumably modernising itself from its original
pre-war building?
Less than ten years later in 1966, even more construction
work with new extensions was being planned and tendered
for.
Sometime in the 80's or 90's, the Coronation ceased operations
completely. A snooker business then moved in for a period,
then moved out, leaving the old building vacant for a number
of years. In that time I had been keeping a close eye on
the shuttered building, now weighed down with grubby advertising
hoardings.
In 2016, a chance drive through Kluang finally netted an
opportunity to see the site up close and personal. The building
was a hive of activity, all its doors and windows had been
flung open, airing out years worth of old stagnant air and
guano fumes. A work team had begun to clear out and prep
the structure for renovation works. There wasn't much to
see inside, just bare stripped out rooms, even the main
theatre hall was empty. Even so, the 'old school' cinema
feel was still there, a familiar feeling from my own childhood
growing up.
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