The 'mighty Civic' (1929) is one of only seven 鈥榓tmospheric theatres鈥 remaining in the world and a fine survivor from cinema鈥檚 Golden Age. The auditorium has lavish Moorish decoration and a starlit southern-hemisphere night sky in the ceiling, complete with cloud projections and shooting stars. It's mainly used for touring musicals, international concerts and film-festival screenings.
Even if nothing is scheduled, try and sneak a peek at the foyer, an Indian indulgence with elephants and monkeys hanging from every conceivable fixture. Buddhas were planned to decorate the street frontage but were considered too risqu茅 at the time 鈥 neoclassical naked boys were chosen instead!
