Grand plans for grand old theatre

ould Guyra be the home of a ‘Hall of Fame’ for Australian poets? One man has grand plans for the building

17th Mar 2020

Janelle Stewart

A budding entrepreneur with a penchant for poetry has unveiled grand plans to turn Guyra’s Arcadia Theatre into a home for Australian poets. James Arthur Warren was on his way back from the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition in Orange in February, when he stopped in Guyra. He came across the disused theatre and made the decision there and then to create “The Australian Poetry Hall of Fame”, which he says has the potential to create up to ten part-time jobs.
“This will put Guyra on the map, so to speak and bring a lot of cars off the highway to stop in town,” he said. “I am currently applying for large arts and literature grants so that I can employ local artists and tradespeople in its development.”
Mr Warren is an environmental scientist who became a teacher in his thirties and has a passion for literature, education and the performing arts. He believes this new venture will revitalise the town providing not only employment but also bringing in a whole new range of industries based on literature, arts, and publishing.
“When I stopped in town I walked around and the building grabbed my attention,” he said. “There is so much potential and opportunity for the building and for the town.-
“Number one it is the highest and coldest town in NSW which believe it or not is a great plus,” he said. “Also being halfway between Sydney and Brisbane makes it a town full of opportunities.”
A community meeting is being planned for April 9th at which the full plans will be revealed and a Grand Opening is already in the works for September.
Owner of the building Rick Emmerton has confirmed that the building has been leased

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