Anita's Theatre Buries Centennial Time Capsule for 2125 Unveiling
In a poignant celebration of its rich century-long history, Anita's Theatre in the Illawarra region has sealed a special time capsule, destined to remain hidden until October 2125. This unique project marks the venue's 100th birthday, which was officially celebrated last October, offering a tangible link between past, present, and future generations.
Curating a Year of Celebration for Posterity
Faced with the challenge of encapsulating a full century of entertainment, laughter, and community engagement, the theatre's staff made a strategic decision. Rather than attempting to summarise all one hundred years, they focused intently on the milestone year of 2025 itself. Venue manager Bob Mangan explained that this approach allowed them to capture the vibrant energy of the centenary celebrations in a more focused and meaningful way.
The year 2025 was packed with a series of special events designed to honour the theatre's legacy. These included a spectacular 10-day birthday party featuring five standout shows. Audiences were treated to performances by Radical Reels, Rob Beckett, Hindley Street Country Club, and Lime Cordiale, alongside the wildly popular Pub Choir event. Each of these moments contributed to the fabric of the venue's centennial story.
A Glimpse Inside the Metal Memory Box
Before the capsule was permanently sealed and carefully stored within the theatre's roof, local media was granted exclusive access to its contents. The metal box itself bears a clear, handwritten instruction: "Open in October, 2125." Inside, a carefully selected array of items tells the story of a landmark year.
The collection includes vivid photographs of iconic bands and musicians who graced the famous stage during the centenary period. Artists featured include Lime Cordiale, Meg Mac, The Cat Empire, Missy Higgins, and Franz Ferdinand. A particularly special artefact is one of the limited-edition concert t-shirts from Lime Cordiale's performance on October 22, 2025. The shirt features unique artwork created by the band's bass player and singer, Louis Leimbach, specifically for that singular night.
Adding to the historical record are concert tickets and promotional posters from recent years. "This captures the everyday audience experience and serves as an emotional keepsake for people associated with the live music industry," Mr Mangan remarked, highlighting the personal connection these items represent.
Preserving Community Voice and Local Legacy
The time capsule also serves as a snapshot of the Illawarra community itself. It contains the Illawarra Mercury's special 170th edition newspaper, which coincidentally was published in October 2025. Additionally, a copy of the Mercury from November 1, 2025, featuring a story on Anita Comelli—the woman who inspired the building's name—is included for posterity.
"This preserves the community's voice and documents how local stories have chronicled the venue's ongoing journey," Mr Mangan noted, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between the theatre and its regional audience.
To honour the dedicated staff who have kept the venue running, the capsule contains an Anita's Theatre staff uniform, a cocktail shaker, a stubby holder, and Mr Mangan's own name badge. These items represent the human effort behind the scenes.
A Century of Transformation and Community Pride
Anita's Theatre has undergone significant transformations since it first opened its doors as a movie theatre in 1925. Over the decades, it has served as a roller-skating rink before evolving into the beloved live music and entertainment venue it is today.
"It's wonderful to do this and gives us an opportunity to reflect on the success of Anita's and its profound importance to our community," Mr Mangan reflected with pride. "It's been a monument to our community for 100 years, and it's very special to work here." This time capsule now stands as a physical testament to that enduring legacy, a message of joy and culture waiting to be rediscovered a century from now.
